DEAR HARRIETTE: I was courted by a former client for a contract for nearly three months. Then, after I made my presentation, nothing happened. When I reached out repeatedly to follow up, nothing.

Finally, I wrote to my client to ask if I had done something to turn him off, because I couldn't understand why his company suddenly went cold. He wrote back -- after months of silence -- to say that his boss had decided to pause the project.

I'm frustrated this was not communicated to me earlier. I'm not sure what to do now. Do I thank this guy for telling me the truth? How can I lobby for the work at the same time? -- Stuck, Los Angeles

DEAR STUCK: Welcome to the world of independent contracting. It usually takes a long time to secure a deal, and then if the deal falls through, contractors may not get fair warning. Companies move on to the next important project on their slate. Is this lack of follow-through rude? Yes. It also is very common.

I wish people and companies would recognize that endings are as important as beginnings. I believe that if a company representative has engaged someone in conversation about a potential job, the least he or she can do is to follow up and say "thanks, but no thanks," if that's the case. To say nothing is disrespectful. The person who was interviewed is waiting.

That said, about all you can do is mention one last time that you are interested and available for the gig. If there is no response, move on.

I implore potential employers to take a moment to close the loop by letting unsuccessful job candidates know that the end is here. Remember the Golden Rule.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter has very serious acne, and it causes her a lot of stress. Her peers at school tease her, and even other people who see her in the mall or wherever sometimes say something about her.

She saw a report about a teen girl with the same problem who started wearing what looks like stage makeup to cover up her acne. She even made instructional videos about it, and now she has good self-esteem. My daughter wants to start wearing this kind of makeup, too. I think it's a mistake because it probably clogs the pores even more. My daughter is set to do this. How can I dissuade her? -- Protective Mom, Miami

DEAR PROTECTIVE MOM: Dealing with severe acne can be traumatic, especially for the teens who are usually struck with it. I understand your concern about the makeup not helping to heal her skin. And you probably are right. Still, self-esteem is a real issue for people with acne.

I recommend that you take your daughter to a dermatologist to get medical insight regarding her condition. Ask the dermatologist about makeup coverage. You may get a recommendation that includes acne-drying properties as well as coverage.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I ran into a former co-worker the other night who had been a good friend for a few years. He was with a woman he introduced as his fiancee. They seemed really happy.

I am happy for him, but also kind of sad that he hadn't called to tell me that he met this woman. I remember talking with him time and again about the women he was dating and about how he couldn't find "the one," so he thought he would just be a perennial dater. He must not think of me as a friend anymore. He did say that he hopes I get to know her, but I think he just said that because we were all together. What do you think? -- Feeling Rejected, Staten Island, N.Y.

DEAR FEELING REJECTED: When people fall in love, they often fall out of touch with their friends, at least for a while. This is only exacerbated by distance. If you two no longer work together, it's natural that you would not be as close.

That said, you ran into each other and rekindled memories of your connection. Why not pick it up from there? Take your friend at his word. If he says he would like for you to get to know his fiancee, believe him and follow up. It may be that you will all come to be friends. Your running into each other may have been fortuitous.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been watching this TV series called "My Kid Would Never Do That," where journalist Natalie Morales tests children of different ages to see what they will do. In almost each case that I have watched, the kids have done the exact worse thing -- like getting into a car with someone who seems intoxicated or giving their phone number and address to an alluring stranger.

I'm so worried and scared for my children. I know they listen to me and my husband, but these other kids listened to their parents, too. It seems that peer pressure has taken over their brains. What can I do to protect my children? -- Uncertain, Chicago

DEAR UNCERTAIN: Peer pressure has been proved to be a game changer for many people, especially children. This series points out that the desire to fit in or seem cool can take over common sense.

I think this creates an opportunity to talk candidly with your children about what's happening in their world. You can even start with this series. Let your children watch it so they see what other young people are doing when pressured. Ask for their reactions, and ask what they think they would do in the same situation.

Talk further about different safety scenarios, and ask your children how they might step away from peer pressure. Make sure they know that you can always be reached in case of emergency to rescue them -- without judgment.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a grandma who had a bilateral mastectomy five months ago. My daughter-in-law brought my two grandsons, ages 7 and 10, to visit me once as I recovered at home, but she has no time for me now.

They live about 45 minutes away and she does not work, but I am expected to go to their house after I make an appointment for a "playdate." She claims they are too busy. Yet she takes my grandsons to her folks' house several times a week. At a birthday party last night, which I attended, her father was making arrangements for frequent golf outings with my older grandson without difficulty.

I love my grandsons and would like there to be some parity in visitation. They were part of my motivation to survive. Now they are unavailable to me.

We have asked them to save the date for a cancer walk and other occasions to meet us, and have paid for the admissions. But I saw these dates were not even marked on my daughter-in-law's calendar, and they have not responded to my invitations.

This has caused me great grief. My son has not intervened. -- Lonely Grandma, Seattle

DEAR LONELY GRANDMA: I'm so sorry that your family does not understand how much you need them right now. I wonder if they are nervous about being around someone who is recovering. Sometimes being around "sick" people makes the "healthy" people uncomfortable. Of course, that doesn't make such behavior right.

If you used to regularly enjoy your grandchildren's company and that has changed dramatically, I think you need to point that out to your son. Let him know that you have noticed you don't get to see his children much at all. Point out the difference in visiting schedules, and plead with him to make time for you to see them. Let him know how important the boys were in your recovery.

If they never visited regularly, you need to recalibrate your expectations. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for the mother of a son to see his family less frequently than the mother of a daughter. Fair? No. But it's often true. If that's the case for you, take a deep breath and ask differently.

Also, go ahead and visit your son's family when you have the energy so that you can see your grandchildren. Make it work for you even if you don't think it's fair. Stay strong and healthy!

DEAR HARRIETTE: Regarding the guy in prison who just found God and asked you which books to read: This would have been a wonderful opportunity to encourage him to read his Bible, join a prison ministry or seek out more people who know the Lord. There are books out there by authors like Max Lucado that will help you understand the Lord. -- Blessings, Chicago

DEAR BLESSINGS: The Bible is a treasure trove of insight, knowledge and guidance on how to live an honorable life. It absolutely is perfect for this man to read as he explores his spirituality.