Dear June My 90-year-old sister recently gave me $200 for picking her up for church. I didn’t want to take it, but rather than make a scene (there were a couple of others in the car), I reluctantly took it. My first thought was to mail it back to her, but she’s easily offended. I…

Dear June, I am in over 80 and struggling with my relationship with my children. My daughter and granddaughter, and one son and his wife (who live far away) avoid, disregard, mock, ghost, and shun me. I love them deeply and have strongly invested myself to try for more positive relationships. I have so much…

Dear June, I’m a 79-year-old married male with a grown daughter and son, both in their 50s. Our son married a young woman 25 years ago who brought hostility into our lives. She would often not visit on holidays, would never give us the children’s schedules, and essentially excluded us from their lives. She wouldn’t…

Dear June, I am the oldest of four children, and after my mother was unable, I was designated to organize family gatherings for holidays and birthdays; these celebrations were often dinners at my mother’s house. After she died in 1998, my brother bought the house, and we continued to hold celebrations there. After my mother’s…

Dear June, What can I do about my brother, a drunk who gets angry and is very difficult to deal with? He does not live in the same state as myself, so is easily ignored. Would-be Helpful Brother Dear Would-be Helpful Brother, As to whether to ignore your brother or not, it might be helpful…

​​Dear June, I live on the West Coast, and my brother, sister, and other extended family live on the East Coast. My parents and grandparents are deceased. My only daughter got married very recently. Of course, we invited all my East Coast family. Right after the engagement was announced, many of them texted, called, and…

Dear June, This November, my son turns 18. For the past 15 years, I have not been in his life due to the choices I made. My most fervent prayer is to be allowed in his life one day. Over the years, I have tried to initiate communication many times and have not heard a…

I am a 75-year-old mom of two grown children. My son has for years borrowed endless amounts of money. Each and every time I bring up repayment or a payment plan, it always ends up in a terrible situation. Ten years ago, he and his wife signed an IOU letter; now, he tells me his…

Dear June, How do you keep the hearts of your children when all around there is pressure to live selfishly? My children are ages 7-17. A Concerned Father Dear Concerned Father, This is a question very close to my heart. My three children are all still younger than yours, but already I see the currents…

Dear June, This winter, we were invited to two family weddings. The invitations stated that “vaccinated only” are welcome to attend. The weddings were for a niece and a nephew on my husband’s side of the family, so they’re close family members, not distant cousins or long-lost relatives. We asked if a negative COVID-19 test…