DEAR HARRIETTE: I get so tired of the same old stories every February. Don't get me wrong: I think Black History Month is important. But my kids come home every year learning about the same three or four public figures. I don't want to sound crass, but I think my kids deserve to learn about more than Dr. King and Rosa Parks. What about the other leaders who did great work years ago and even now? Every time I mention it at my children's school, people tell me to mind my business. This might be because I am not black. I am a white American, and I think this topic is important for my kids to learn. How can I get them to consider expanding the curriculum? -- Looking for History, Chicago

DEAR LOOKING FOR HISTORY: Start way before February to plant the seeds for a curriculum change. Go to your school principal with a formal proposal for an expanded curriculum. If you get no traction, go to your school board. It would be good to get parents and teachers to support you by signing a petition requesting such a curriculum.

At the same time, make it your business to educate your children independently by introducing them to museum exhibits, books and videos about less familiar African-American stories.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I went to a business conference in Las Vegas, and I decided to extend my trip an extra two days because I wanted to add a little pleasure. I had a male friend that I was scheduled to meet after my business conference was over. Prior to my trip, he made plans for us to go to dinner and see a show. I could not wait for the conference to end -- I packed my party dresses, and I was ready to have a good time. I called my friend on the final day of my conference to tell him I was excited to see him, and to my surprise, he never called me back. I spent all this extra money to stay longer in Las Vegas hoping to spend quality with him, and he disappeared. When it was time for me to leave town, I got a phone call from him saying he was busy. This man really hurt me, and now I am kicking myself because I allowed myself to be vulnerable. Maybe I was hoping for something that was not realistic. I do not want this to happen to me the next time around. How can I manage that? -- High Hopes, Atlanta

DEAR HIGH HOPES: What is the backstory between you and this man? It seems incredibly rude that he would stand you up in this way. Could you have been unclear in your planning with him? If you believe you had made firm plans that he initiated and then dropped, then clearly he is not a "friend" to be trusted.

As far as the future goes, be more specific with anyone with whom you intend to spend time.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a single girlfriend who is always flirting with people. I think she is inappropriate sometimes. I saw her at work the other day, and she called everybody "Baby," "Darling" and "Sweetheart." I think she thinks this is cute, but I feel pretty confident that somebody might find it offensive. I know she wants to seem young and hip, even though she is approaching 50. She is going about it in a sucky kind of way. As her friend, I want to tell her how I feel, but I am sensitive to the fact that she is single and I am married. I don't want to come off like I'm a know-it-all or anything. I want her to be happy. But speaking to adult professionals in this manner could backfire on her, plus it's doubtful that it will get her a date. How can I support her? -- How to Be a Friend, Memphis, Tenn.

DEAR HOW TO BE A FRIEND: Flirting is one thing. Speaking in what could be considered sexist terms is another entirely. You should caution her about using such "niceties" to talk to professionals. Tell her that she could get in real trouble if someone who works for her dislikes this type of moniker.

As far as her general flirting with men, that's her business. Do not make the mistake of telling her how to find a man. You do not know what will work for her or if she will find a partner at all. Let her manage that part of her life.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am in serious debt, and it is making me crazy. I do not own a home. I have very few assets. What I have are endless bills and a job that got downsized last year to part-time, even though I have worked for my company for more than 20 years. I feel like such a loser. Never mind, I still have to pay my bills. I had the thought that I could sell off some of my jewelry. That's the one asset I've got. When I was married -- I've been divorced for six years -- my husband gave me a sizeable diamond that I still have. I also inherited diamond jewelry from my mom when she died. I never wear the jewelry, but I thought I would keep it and pass it down. I don't have children, though, so maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I'm told that real diamonds usually stay valuable. Do you think this is a good idea? -- Using Assets, Jackson, Miss.

DEAR USING ASSETS: Diamonds can be valuable in that they can appreciate, depending upon the market price at any given time. Start with your wedding ring. Since you are no longer married, you should have less emotional attachment to that. Go to an established jeweler and have it appraised. Ask the jeweler if your ring can be sold there. If not, find a reseller of diamonds. Sell them one by one, so that you can hold onto whatever you can.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Every time I talk to my sister, she lectures me. Yes, she is my big sister, but we are adults. I moved out about 10 years ago when I went away to college. She still lives at home with my parents. She helps them out, so it has turned out to be good for them. I think she lives there because she hasn't been able to keep a job. None of that really matters except that she constantly badgers me about my life choices. She says I am not living up to my potential. I have been promoted three times in my company since I have worked there. I don't know what she's talking about, and I am sick of her. How can I get her to stop? -- Stuck in the Middle, Shreveport, La.

DEAR STUCK IN THE MIDDLE: It can be extremely difficult to break out of childhood patterns of communication. Often, the eldest child feels responsibility for guiding the younger children. Why? That was their role when they were children. It can be difficult to shed that sense of responsibility as they grow up. In your sister's case, it could be that she is overly concerned about your career success because it has been elusive to her. Rather than jealousy, she may be expressing genuine concern for your future.

Does that make it easier for you? Only in the sense that you may be able to have compassion for her. If you can imagine that she is attempting to look out for you rather than judge you, it may be easier for you to shift your relationship with her. Instead of fighting back, you can thank her for her concern and assure her that you are doing just fine. You can also check in with her from time to time about how she is managing the care for your parents. You can change the dynamic of your relationship by becoming the adult that you are, even when you are communicating with her. As you change, she may have the space to change as well.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I had an intern two years ago who asked me to write a letter of recommendation for her. I agreed and then got busy and forgot. She wrote back to me to remind me at the last minute. Thank goodness she did! I was able to get it to her just before the deadline, but I felt so bad. I meant to write her a glowing recommendation and deliver it early. My schedule got in the way. She is grateful that she got it at all, but I feel like a schmuck. How can I do a better job of following up with people? -- Over-stretched, Chicago

DEAR OVER-STRETCHED: Give yourself credit for getting that recommendation in on time. You would feel much worse if you had missed the deadline. In the future, write down the deadlines that you agree to fulfill. You may also want to set reminder alarms on your smartphone, if you have one, to remind you to complete upcoming tasks.