DearSugar -- Just ask.

Tough Question No. 2: What Are You Doing With Your Life?

DearSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:30:00 -0800

Many of us have felt the effects of the worsening economy, so if you've lost your job as a result, I bet one of the questions you'll be asked this Thanksgiving will be what you're planning on doing now. Not only can that question be invasive, but it can end up making you feel even worse about your situation than you already do. To see my suggestions on how to answer that uncomfortable question,

Tough Question No. 1: Why Aren't You Dating?

DearSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0800

A common fear many women have as Thanksgiving approaches is how to answer those intrusive, uncomfortable, and sometimes rude questions by family members or old acquaintances. To help get you prepared for turkey day, I'm here to offer my suggestions for how to respond to the line of questioning most everyone gets this time of year. Let's start with question number one: Why aren't you dating?

To see my answers,

Pregnant Man Expecting Second Child!

DearSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0800

I'm sure you've all heard about Thomas Beatie, the man to first become pregnant and have a baby. He was originally born a female, but underwent six sex-change operations and took male hormones to become a man, and then legally married his partner Nancy. Since she's infertile, he kept his womb and ovaries intact in the hopes of having a family someday — they feel that having a baby is neither a male or female desire, but a human one. Before becoming pregnant, he stopped taking testosterone injections so his menstrual cycle would return. He gave birth to their first child last Summer and now the Beatie's are expecting their second child, due this June! To get a peek inside their lives, check out this video of their interview with Barbara Walters:

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Pretty amazing, huh? Tell me what you think about this in the comment section below.

Do Tell: What Makes Thanksgiving Stressful For Your Family?

DearSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800

Most of you are excited for Thanksgiving, but 29 percent of you admitted to already feeling anxious about it. Getting family together can no doubt be stressful, especially when factoring in those sweet spots of contention that can easily become exacerbated during overwhelming times. In an effort to help you get through this holiday, do tell, what exactly is it that makes things so trying for your family?

Dear Poll: Are You Excited or Anxious For Thanksgiving?

DearSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is often looked at as the most stressful holiday of the year. It's typically the first event where family comes together, and as I'm sure we can all attest to, family can be overwhelming and difficult. On the flip side, it's a time where you can see loved ones that you haven't seen for a while, a time to get festive, and a time to break all those diet rules! Since the big day is just a few weeks away, tell me, does this holiday lend itself to anxiety or excitement for you? Source

Dear Poll: Are You Excited or Anxious For Thanksgiving?

Excitement: I can't wait for Thanksgiving — I'm already planning!

Anxiety: Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. Too much family, too much stress, and too much pressure.

You Asked: His Mother Is Trying to Control Him!

DearSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,

My boyfriend and I have been going out for four years; since I was 20. Despite working full time, he still lives at home with his mother who is very controlling, and in turn, he lets her treat him that way. The problem is he can't say no to her. She frequently makes plans for him and guilts him into staying home. It's gotten to the point where he doesn't have any friends he sees regularly besides me.

The other night we arranged to go out for dinner. When he got home from work, his mom had made him dinner because he forgot to tell her we had a date. Rather than saving the dinner she made for another day, he called and told me he changed his mind about going out and then he got mad at me for being inflexible when I got upset.

Clearly his mother is causing a rift in our relationship. It feels like she is trying to fight me for his attention all the time. This has been going on a long time now so I guess it is my own fault for putting up with it, but I don't think he will ever change. Do you think I should wait until he moves out or see if things change on their own? — Competing Courtney

To see DearSugar's answer

Handle This: Your Luggage Gets Lost

DearSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

You've been with your boyfriend for six months and he's finally ready to introduce you to his family, who live across the country. You know how important this trip is, which is why your nerves have been running wild all week. From the way he's always described his mother, she seems overcritical and very materialistic — the complete opposite of you. In an effort to make a good first impression, you packed all of your favorite outfits, including matching handbags, shoes, and accessories — you feel completely prepared!

After landing, you head straight to baggage claim. Your boyfriend's bag comes off the conveyor belt, but yours is nowhere in sight. You panic and when the bags stop coming, you're forced to accept the fact that your suitcase is missing. You're stuck with the clothes on your back for the next four days, and all you can think of is his mother's reaction. How would you handle this?

DearSugar -- Just ask.

Tough Question No. 2: What Are You Doing With Your Life?

Tough Question No. 1: Why Aren't You Dating?

Pregnant Man Expecting Second Child!

Do Tell: What Makes Thanksgiving Stressful For Your Family?

Dear Poll: Are You Excited or Anxious For Thanksgiving?

You Asked: His Mother Is Trying to Control Him!

Handle This: Your Luggage Gets Lost

You Asked: Can I Still Have a Relationship With Them?

You Asked: I Hate My Father

You Asked: I'm Stuck in the Middle

Do Tell: Does Your Mother Ever Drive You Nuts?

True Confession — My Husband Isn't the Father of Our Son

You Asked: Do I Have Daddy Issues?

Do You Have a Contentious Relationship With Anyone in Your Family?

Five Rules For Meeting His Parents

You Asked: Should I Leave My Husband?

Sunday Confessional: I've Been a Selfish Sister

Where Do You Stand? Overlapping First Names

Do Tell: Do You See Your Parents Differently Now?

You Asked: Should I Move For Love?

Relationship Protocol: Did You Take Baby Steps in Your Relationship?

You Asked: My Time Is Running Out

Do Tell: Do Your Siblings Have a Different Relationship With Your Parents?

DearSugar Needs Your Help

You Asked: How Do I Kick Out My Roommate

Should There Be an Age Limit For Fertility Treatments?

Handle This: His Mom Is Too Formal

DearSugar Needs Your Help: My Sisters Are Unsupportive

You Asked: My Sister-in-Law Is Competitive With Me

You Asked: I Don't Want to Ruin My Parents' Friendship

What's the Connection Between Soy and Sperm Count?

Where Do You Stand? Sibling Rivalry

Relationship Protocol: Whose Family Are You Closest To?

You Asked: I'm Scared Every Day

Handle This: A Physical Fight Erupts

Dear Poll: Have You Ever Ratted a Guy Out to His Mom?

Dear Poll: Did You Grow Up in an Affectionate Household?

Too Much Information?

Where Do You Stand? Sharing the Family Dirt With Friends

Do Tell: Is Your Parents' House Still "Home"?

Does This Reality Go Too Far?

Handle This: He Likes You, but You Like His Brother

You Asked: Should I Give Him Another Chance?

Ask E. Jean For DearSugar: What Are My Rights?

Handle This: Your Parents Don't Support Your Marriage

Where Do You Stand? Lying to your Family

Turn On or Turn Off? Stay-at-Home Dads

DearSugar Needs Your Help: I'm Ready but He's Not!

Where Do You Stand: Asking Her Parents For Permission to Propose

Good Idea or Bad Idea: Working With Family