DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter is starting middle school this year, and she will be going to a different school than all of her good friends. This is because my husband and I got into a huge argument about schools, and he put his foot down about not wanting to send her to the favored school. In order to avoid a complete family meltdown, I acquiesced. But now my daughter is sad all over again as she remembers that she will no longer be in class with her besties. How can I smooth things over for her? -- Mad Mom, Jackson, Miss.

DEAR MAD MOM: You made a decision. Now it is time to live by it. Your emotional state regarding the school change will surely affect your daughter, so own your decision and move on. Focus on the new school and the great attributes that it has. Learn all that you can about the school and the extracurricular activities that it offers. Help your daughter figure out where she fits in.

In the meantime, make sure that she stays in touch with her best friends, but not too much in the first weeks. Both sides need to acclimate to their new environment. After they settle into their new schedules, arrange get-togethers where they can check in and continue to nurture their longtime friendships.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was previously married, but my husband and I never talk about it. It seems like it happened a lifetime ago. My ex and I never had children, so it didn't seem to matter. That is, until it came up one day when my family and I met up with one of my old college friends who mentioned my ex. My 12-year-old son overheard the conversation and became upset. I talked to him about my past and shared that it was true, although it happened years ago. He seemed OK. Now I wonder if I was wrong not to mention it before. There just didn't seem to be any reason. What do you think? -- Scratching My Head, Shreveport, La.

DEAR SCRATCHING MY HEAD: My parents taught me that it was their responsibility to share information with their children on a need-to-know basis. Over the years, I learned all kinds of things about both my mother and my father that would not have been appropriate before the moment they were shared.

This is a good gauge for you. You had to clarify with your son after he overheard about your past, and so you did. Had that not occurred, since you have no relationship with your ex and it occurred long ago, there was no real need to tell your son. Similarly, as time goes on, you may discover that experiences that you have had -- both positive and negative -- will be right to share based upon what he is experiencing in his life. Even some of the most extreme situations need to come to the fore when you are facing serious situations where insight is helpful. Trust your instincts. Do not lie. Share when the moment calls for it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a single mother of two beautiful girls who are 6 and 7 years old. I am also an owner of a successful promotions company with multiple clients. At the height of any promotional campaign, I can travel four to six days a week, leaving little time to spend with my girls. I get to travel the United States, and I make a lot of money. I love my girls, but I am almost ashamed to say this: I love the life I have created for myself as a businesswoman. How do I balance the two worlds that I have created? -- Feeling Guilty, Memphis, Tenn.

DEAR FEELING GUILTY: Whenever you are in town, make sure that you build in quality time for your girls. When you are away, schedule time to speak to them each day to review their day. Use new technology to support your experience. You can Skype so that you can see each other as you speak. With the additional income that you are accumulating, be creative. Schedule a vacation with your daughters that everyone will enjoy.

Whenever possible, invite your daughters to come to work with you so that they can see you in action. You can demonstrate to them that it can be rewarding to have your own business. Your example may serve as inspiration when you share it with them.

Finally, know that striking a balance is a lifelong goal. Some days you will give more to work than to your girls, but if you remain conscious of your actions and in touch with them, you will know when you need to scale back and put your full focus on them.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 18 months away from obtaining my bachelor's degree in business management, and I plan to go to graduate school to get my master's degree in sports management. However, the university I attend does not have a master's program in sports management, so I will have to find a university that does. I am thinking about this now because I want to make sure I have my transcripts and paperwork in order to make a smooth transition into graduate school. Eighteen months is so close, but it is so far away. Do you think it is too early start thinking about graduate school? -- Staying Ahead of the Game, Queens, N.Y.

DEAR STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME: It is wise to plan your future. In addition to ensuring that you have your paperwork in order, be proactive by speaking to an adviser at your school about your advanced degree choices. Ask for recommendations for schools that offer the master's degree that you are seeking.

In addition, reach beyond your school and go to professional events hosted by businesses in your area of interest. Do your best to secure an internship at a sports management company so that you can get experience before you get to graduate school. Research and reach out to leaders in the industry who may be able to give you advice on developing your career.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Every time I encounter a certain woman I know, I become sick. I try to have civil conversations with her, but it never works out. We find a way to disagree about everything. I find it disturbing because I can get along with just about anybody I meet. She has invited me to her house for a barbecue. I haven't responded. I guess I don't want to hurt her feelings by not attending, but if I go to her house, I run the risk of being sick. I have painted myself into a corner, and I don't know what to do. -- Why Can't We Be Friends?, Memphis, Tenn.

DEAR WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS?: Attempting to be a people pleaser does not work. It is impossible to make everybody happy all the time. Clearly there is something about this woman that does not work for you. If you literally become ill when you are in her company, listen to your body and stay away.

Saying you will not be able to attend her barbecue should not be a prescription for hurt feelings. Leading her on and trying to act like you are her friend when you are not is more likely to be hurtful. You do not have to tell her not to call you again, but it would be wise for you to stop calling her. Let the friendship fizzle out. No need to tell her that she makes you sick, either. That would only hurt her feelings.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mother's good friend just had two hip replacements. She did well with the first one -- she followed the doctor's directions and healed well. The second time, though, she seems sad and unmotivated. My mother told me that she sits around a lot and doesn't do her exercises. My mother, who is in her mid-80s with her own health concerns, is a real go-getter. She doesn't give up for anything. She can't figure out what to do to help her friend do the right thing. I'm worried that my mother is going to get too stressed out trying to help out her friend. -- SOS, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SOS: My research shows that it is not uncommon for people who have had hip replacement surgery to experience depression. For many people it does not last, but when in a state of depression it can be terribly difficult for the person suffering and his/her loved ones. Suggest to your mother that she recommend that her friend visit her doctor and describe what's going on. Maybe your mother could even take her to the doctor. Your mother's friend may need to see a therapist or even take medication for depression to help her through this tough period.

Your mother, as a caretaker of some measure for her friend, needs to take care of herself, too. Encourage your mother to go out and do things independent of this friend. Suggest that she pamper herself in some way on a weekly basis. Regularly check in with her to gauge her state of mind. Invite her to spend time with you, perhaps even a mini-vacation that will ease her emotional burden.