The Laudable Life
Advice Column: Avoiding Rejection During Internship Application Season
Q: My daughter, a high school senior, can leave school midday for an internship. Many of her friends have already found one. She’s stressed but increasingly avoids applying to more places and pushes back on every suggestion I make. How can I help? A: Stress and avoidance often travel together. When friends announce their placements,…
Advice Column: Stubborn Teen
Question: My son is a good kid. He’s on top of his schoolwork and does chores when asked, but from time to time he won’t budge on the most benign requests. For example, he was overseas for summer school and didn’t send a single picture with friends. I suggested he offer his old bike to…
Advice Column: Helping Your Child With Their Fear Of Dogs
Q: We have a five-year-old. Because I’m allergic, we don’t have a dog, although I wish we could. Our daughter seems to be developing a fear of dogs. She cries and clings to me when we’re passing neighborhood dogs. How can I support her so that this doesn’t become a lifelong problem? A: Start by…
I’ve Tried Everything: Can meds help me get out of this funk?
Q: I’ve been in a funk for months, and it’s not getting better in spite of my efforts to pull out of it. I am considering talking with someone about getting on something to help me pull out of this, but I don’t want to be on it long-term. A: What you’re describing is more…
Avoidance Masked As Intellect
Q: Our son is a gifted perfectionist. Because of this, he’s able to construct justifications for avoidant behavior when preparing for the job market. “Other kids have more AP credit, and they are more competitive applicants for research positions.” or “I need to get more credits in my major before I can apply for an…
Advice Column: Why are people so unfriendly lately?
Question: I have always been the type to wave and say “hi” when I pass people in the neighborhood. Lately, though, I’ve noticed more and more people stare ahead or even look annoyed when I greet them. It makes me wonder if friendliness is going out of style. Why is this happening, and how can…
Advice Column: Why are people so mean on the internet?
Question: I’ve always been a positive, happy-go-lucky, encouraging person, but online, it feels like no good deed goes unpunished. When I leave supportive or helpful comments in professional Facebook groups, I sometimes get criticized, or even mocked, for little things like a typo. Why are people so negative online, and how can I stop taking…
Advice Column: Should I be protesting more?
Q: Last weekend was the No Kings March. I wanted to go. I have deep concerns about the actions our government is taking and the impact those choices will have on us all. Speaking up is essential, and I know that “if not me, then who, if not now, then when?” But between my kids’…
Advice Column: Keeping my friend’s Wegovy secret
Q: My friend Stacy privately told me she’s taking Wegovy for weight loss. Another friend, Kate, recently expressed concern about Stacy’s rapid weight loss and asked if I knew what was going on. Kate seemed genuinely worried that something might be medically wrong (perhaps an illness or eating disorder?). I want to reassure her that Stacy is okay,…
Advice Column: Bonding with my quirky kid
Q: My child is kind of quirky, artistic, and wonderfully unique, but lately, we’ve been butting heads or drifting apart. I want to be supportive, but sometimes, I just don’t get them. How can I improve our relationship? A: You’re not alone—many parents of creative, outside-the-box kids face this challenge. Children who are “quirky”, artsy,…
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