Don't need to be cool to be kind.
Dear Captain, I’m a woman in her mid-30’s who’s been dating a man a few years older than myself. We’ve only been together for about 6 months. Neither one of us has a very extensive dating history; he’s only dated one other woman, and I’ve only dated two other men. At first he seemed like … Continue reading #1079: “Boundaries and ‘shoulds.’”
Hi, and thanks for an awesome and helpful site! My situation: I’ve recently begun a new relationship, and am experiencing some…friction. I’m having trouble telling how much of the issue is incompatibility, and how much is me being “rusty”/ungenerous/inflexible, and I would love some outside insight! A bit about me: I’ve never been a big … Continue reading #1015: Touching, boundaries, and compatibility
Hi Captain! All names have been changed to protect the guilty. Sorry this is long, but the backstory is rather necessary. I’m a 45 year old pansexual poly woman. I’ve been with Wolfie since I was 18, married him at 23, and had two sons with him, who are now both out of the house. … Continue reading #966: “Boundaries, Love, Death, Denial, Manners, & Kink” or “1 Husband, 1 Lover, 1 Burned-Out Caregiver & The Next Five Years”
Hello, Cap and friends! I have a couple of questions about boundary-setting with people who don’t believe in boundaries. The Awkward team’s advice and scripts on setting boundaries have been so wonderfully helpful in my life, but what (if anything) can you say to people who believe that setting boundaries in a family is controlling? … Continue reading #917: “How to set boundaries with people who think boundaries and hurt are manipulative? AKA Help implementing boundary advice?”
Greetings, Captain! Long-time lurker checking in with a relationship problem. My boyfriend and I (she/her pronouns) have a lot of different interests. Which is fine! Not all my stuff is his cup of coffee! Not all his stuff is my cup of tea! The issue is when he says he wants to do something with … Continue reading #856: “Let’s totally do that thing together….sometime.” (Time, Planning, & Boundaries)
Dear Captain, I am married to a wonderful, funny, smart man. We have an amazing two-year-old and I just found out that I am expecting again. Life is good, except that his normally-long-distance family is suddenly in the area (an hour’s drive away) and thus all the issues about my dislike of them that we … Continue reading #833: When your spouse won’t set boundaries with your in-laws.
Three letter writers who need some help saying “nope!” and making it stick.
Dear Captain Awkward, A couple of weeks ago, I tried one of your scripts on my parents to ask them to stay in a hotel when they visit. My wife and I have a two-month old baby. Any house guests are disruptive, especially with a newborn in the house. But my parents are the most … Continue reading #773: Grandparents, visits, and boundaries
Hi Captain, I need to know if my boundaries are reasonable when dealing with my legally blind mother. She needs extra help while my dad is in the hospital. My job has mainly been to drive her around and help her with things she can’t see. I have two things that make that complicated. I’m … Continue reading #731: Backseat drivers and boundaries and bridges-too-far
This is the last day of the Summer Pledge Drive, where I post the links for making a (non-tax deductible) gift through PayPal or via Dwolla. Your generosity so far has been amazing and I am so humbled and pleased with the outpouring of support. A new computer will be within reach when this one goes. I … Continue reading #508 & #509: Friendship, Attachment Styles & Boundaries
