DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my co-workers is a horrible prankster. He describes himself as a jokester, and he's honestly becoming a nuisance to the office. Possibly the worst part of his pranks is that they're too small to be considered real pranks. For example, I'll try to use my stapler, only to discover that the staples have been taken out. Then, I'll hear him snickering. Once, he dropped four packets of sugar into someone's morning coffee. The "pranks" aren't funny; they just cause inconvenience around the workplace.

I'm afraid if I insult his "skills," he'll decide to take his pranking even further. Our boss laughs it off and says that this keeps the workplace lively, but I don't see anything funny about having to discover that he's taken all of the toilet paper from the bathroom and hidden it in a closet. How do I stop this? These mini-pranks are driving me nuts. -- Not Clowning Around, Seattle

DEAR NOT CLOWNING AROUND: Since your boss is complicit in your co-worker's shenanigans, you won't get the support you want from him. The next best step is to ignore this man. When he does something that is annoying, don't let him know that it bothers you. Do your best to act as if you don't even notice this guy. Without an audience, a performer often loses his drive. You can even suggest the same to your fellow co-workers. If all of you refuse to make comments or otherwise allow him to incite you, he may calm down and stop using you as his targets.

If he gets worse, go to human resources and file a complaint. It may seem petty today, but his games may become counterproductive tomorrow.

DEAR HARRIETTE: A close friend of mine moved in with me two months ago after losing her apartment due to the nonpayment of her roommate. It was great at first, because while I enjoy living alone, it can get kind of lonely every so often. However, I am now annoyed. Even though I have set boundaries around living in my house, my friend has repeatedly violated them, leaving dishes in the sink for days, not cleaning when it's her turn and bringing guys back to the house when I'm not home.

Whenever I ask her about her apartment hunt, she says she's been looking but it's just taking longer than expected. I don't want to kick her out, but I am starting to go crazy. How can I handle this without losing our friendship? -- Not Big Enough for the Both of Us, Detroit

DEAR NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US: Do not hesitate to invite your friend to leave. If you wait much longer, it might be difficult for you to get her out. You have every right to show her the door now. She has consistently broken your house rules, so she has to go. Give her a short window for a deadline, and make it clear that you will not be extending her stay. If the day comes and she has not packed up to go, you can change the locks and forward her belongings when she gives you a forwarding address. Harsh? Yes. Fair? Yes!

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My family dynamic has always been messed up. I don't get along with my brother or my parents, because my parents clearly favor him over me due to the fact that I had a child right out of high school. It does not matter to them that I am a productive member of society who pays her own bills, has her master's degree and does not live at home; they will not stop holding my teenage indiscretion against me.

I recently stopped attending family holiday events, because while I get along with my younger brother and sister, my older brother, my parents and I cannot seem to make it through being in the room together without some sort of snide comment being made or it devolving into a full-blown argument.

We have a family occasion coming up soon that would bring us all together for a weekend down South, but I am tempted not to go to avoid the drama and the headaches. Do you think I should suck it up and go to the event, or do you think I am making the right decision by staying home? I will always love my family, but the back and forth has become quite tiresome. -- No More Drama, New Orleans

DEAR NO MORE DRAMA: In advance of your upcoming weekend, reach out to your family. Schedule a face-to-face if you can. Put your cards on the table. Tell them how uncomfortable you continually feel based on the way that you believe they treat you. Acknowledge that you had a child at a young age and that you have created a viable life for yourself and your family. Point out that you wish they would be proud of you -- or at least accepting -- but that what you feel is their constant judgment. Tell them that you don't feel accepted or welcome, but you want to be close. Express your trepidation about the next reunion, given how you feel they mistreat you when you are together. Ask them if they would be willing to refresh the relationship.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 24-year-old recent graduate with a degree in marketing. I had a marketing job for about eight months, but I was laid off from the small business I was working for. With that said, you can imagine my dismay when I look at entry-level marketing positions that want you to have two or three years of experience. I have been a marketing volunteer for a few events around the city, but they usually have you doing only a couple of menial tasks, and I really need to get some experience.

I know I would do well if I got the chance, but I can't seem to break through. I recently talked to someone who told me to make my own experience, and I have been considering freelancing since. Do you think this is a good way to build experience toward the career I want? -- A Go-Getter, Detroit

DEAR A GO-GETTER: You are smart to look for creative ways to build job experience. Identify charities that may need extra support and start off volunteering, if need be, to gain experience. Do your job so well that your volunteer coordinator will seriously consider hiring you, or at least giving you a great recommendation. Of course, any paid freelance work you can get is top priority!

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I had been feeling kind of stuck in my career trajectory for a while now, and until recently, I couldn't figure out why for the life of me. It became clear when I had lunch with a friend of mine, who works in the same profession as me. She is successful and moving quickly along her path. When I asked her how, she said she could not have done any of it without her mentor. She went on to talk to me about why having one is crucial, and about all of the benefits having a mentor has given to her.

When my friend found out I did not have a mentor, she told me I needed to get one immediately -- in her words, "like yesterday." I think this would be a great idea, but I have no idea where to start.

Do you think mentors are a good idea? If so, what do you think I should look for in one? -- Ready to Move Forward, Wilmington, Delaware

DEAR READY TO MOVE FORWARD: I think mentors can be key in helping propel people's careers forward. Look for someone who is knowledgeable about your field of interest and who has a good reputation. Identify someone who is accessible to you, whether by a written letter asking for an informational interview or by referral. When you meet, explain your career dreams and ask if the person can provide you with guidance on how to get to your goal.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been friends with a girl I met since the first day of school months back. In the couple of months we've known each other, we've become fast friends. It's nice to have someone who genuinely cares. We hang out, go to the mall, out to dinner, the movies, etc. My friend is bisexual, and I had no problems with that. Lately, though, I feel like she's forming a crush on me. She knows I have a boyfriend, but she says little things that allude to her liking me as more than just friends. At first I took it as her just being nice. Then she began to say things like, "You make me so happy" and "Whenever I see you, I smile because you're so pretty."

If she does like me, it's like she won't say it directly. She'll just hint at it. Maybe she's waiting for me to address it? If she does like me, how do I let her down easy? What's our friendship supposed to be like if this is the case? I really do like her as a friend and enjoy her company. -- Rejection's Not Easy, Boston

DEAR REJECTION'S NOT EASY: Don't make assumptions. Get the facts. If you do not want a romantic relationship with this woman and you believe she does, bring it up. Tell her how much you value your friendship. Tell her you are concerned that she may be growing interested in you and that you are worried about that. Point out that you are not bisexual, you have a boyfriend and you don't want to lose her friendship. Ask her what she thinks about everything. Come to a conclusion together about how to preserve your friendship.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)