DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder when I was still in high school. Since then I have had a couple of pretty bad episodes, much of which I don’t remember.

For the past six years I have been stable with the help of a good therapist and meds. I think I’m doing really good, but all I have to do is have a day when I’m grouchy or super happy and my mom gets all over me thinking I’m going into an episode. Is there any reason I can’t just have a good or bad day like everyone else? --- LIKE EVERYONE ELSE

DEAR LIKE: You’re certainly entitled to have good and bad days, just like the rest of the world. But you also need to understand there are people out there, like your mom, who have seen you in crisis and are going to tend to be concerned when they see something that looks a bit off. You may not remember everything that happened during your episodes, but some of your loved ones probably do, and you can bet they don’t want to see you in either emotional or physical pain or danger again.

So when it comes to cutting a little slack, it needs to go both ways. Look at the hovering as proof you have people around who are there for you in both good times and bad, and try to give them credit for their concern.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My boyfriend is sweet, considerate, and a really bad cook, although he thinks he is a Top Chef. I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but he doesn’t know what he is doing in the kitchen and I keep coming up with excuses to avoid his “Dine In Specials” as he calls them. What can I do to save my taste buds and not hurt a good guy’s feelings? --- NOT DINING IN

DEAR NOT DINING IN: Since he’s showing an interest in cooking, why not push him in a more “tasteful” direction by gifting him with a cooking class or two under the auspices of trying to help him expand his repertoire. You might even look into couples cooking classes. That way you can sell him on the idea that you too want to hone your culinary skills.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: After our second baby was born last fall my husband and I looked at finances and the cost of childcare and figured it would not be hard for us to get by on his salary and my picking up some research work from the law firm I’d been with for the past several years.

After nearly a year at home with the kids, I still feel guilty about not making much money, and I always get the feeling that my still working friends look down on me. I am beginning to think I was wrong in leaving my job. Was I? --- ANTSIE AT HOME

DEAR ANTSIE: Staying home with the kids ─ especially a new baby ─ IS work.

You crunched the numbers, took the plunge, and now you need to give the still relatively new lifestyle a chance.

Think of the transitions you’ve already gone through ─ leaving home, entering the workforce, getting married, having babies. These have all been big steps you’ve experienced and survived. Fulltime parenthood is another of those life changes that will take time to adjust to.

If you haven’t already started yet, make sure you spend time with other young stay-at-home parents and their kids. Being with people in the same boat can make all the difference in the world for both you and your children.