Family & Relationships

As teenagers and young adults grow up, they may begin to explore romantic relationships. While these are normal milestones for a young adult, it’s important to talk with youth about boundaries and consent, and how they are important in any relationship, platonic or romantic. 

We started the Dear Dr. Michelle advice column at the height of COVID as an additional way to provide free, accessible help to those who may need it while navigating our new environment. As we transition back to pre-pandemic days, our Dear Dr. Michelle column is coming to a close. As a final hurrah, we wanted to share a list of our top ten most visited advice articles over the past two and half years.

I have had to break up with my best friend. She was not able to listen to my feelings about things in the friendship. She also stopped spending time with me like we used to and would never tell me why. I feel sad and hurt and am in a deep depression I am struggling to get out of. I blame myself. I will still have to see her on occasion. How can I get out of this deep depression and deal with times I may have to see her?

Making new friends is hard, especially as an adult with the added layer of living in a new city. But finding those connections are so important for our mental health and well-being, as friendships help us find a sense of belonging, boost our happiness, and can help build our self-esteem. Here are a few tips on how to create new relationships in a new community. 

My daughter is 22. She has graduated, got a job offer, and moved out of the house. Last week she called me and told me she is lesbian. She told me it is ok if I don’t accept her, and she will go away from the family. I really don’t know how to handle it. Please help me to accept this. Is it my fault?

Luke Spiegelhoff, LICSW, Clinical Director at Nexus-FACTS, joined KSTP-TV's Minnesota Live to talk about the pressure of the holidays. Take a look at his advice to relieve the holiday stress here!

I have a pit in my stomach over the holidays coming up. My mom's entire side of the family gets together and it's that typical dysfunctional family gathering with too much drinking and snarky comments. I hate it. I've been able to avoid going the last two years (due to COVID) but this year my mom is laying the guilt on thick for me to come. I don't want to go but I don't want to disappoint her. What should I do?

Let someone know you are thinking of them with these printable cards centered around expressing gratitude. These will print with 2 cards on a sheet of paper that you can cut apart and fold.

A list of ideas for finding an item or a gesture to express gratitude to a loved one.

I'm concerned for my family's safety because my 30-year-old son screams, hollers, makes noises and scares all of us, while refusing to talk to anybody. I don't know what to do about it and I am afraid to confront him because I am scared about what he might do. I'm thinking of sleeping with a baseball bat for protection. What should I do?