DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is away at sleepaway camp, and my husband and I miss him terribly. We know he is fine, but we long to see pictures of him. His camp posts photos on a private Facebook page, and every day I go to the page to find my son, but I have seen him only once in five days. I don't want to be the parents who complain incessantly on the page when they don't see their children and demand to have them post pictures. How can I get my message across without seeming like a crazy parent? -- Missing My Boy, Denver

DEAR MISSING MY BOY: Why not send a direct message to the camp head via his Facebook page? When you use that feature, the message goes to that person directly, without being broadcast to the other parents who are commenting on the page.

Take a deep breath and be calm before you start writing. Let the camp head know how much you miss your son; state his name and cabin name -- if you know it -- and ask if he would have someone look for your son and post a picture as soon as they find him. Thank him and express how grateful you will be to see your son's shining face. Kindness and discretion may help you to see your son soon!

DEAR HARRIETTE: Today I was shopping a sale, and I tried on a men's sweater. I enjoy wearing oversized clothing, and I find that men's clothing sometimes suits me better. During the sale, an employee came up to me and told me that I was trying on men's clothing and that I could find clothing for women on the other side. I wasn't sure how to respond when it was so clear that he expected me to move to the women's sale. I fibbed and said I was trying on clothing for my lanky younger son.

I don't want to lie, and I don't feel as though I should have to. Sometimes I just want an oversized T-shirt or sweater! How can I concisely explain myself without being rude to salespeople? -- Either Section Is Right, Shreveport, Louisiana

DEAR EITHER SECTION IS RIGHT: It's completely understandable why you were left flat-footed. The salesperson was not paying close attention and was not attuned enough to respond to the moment by supporting you. Truth is, you may have found the perfect sweater where you were, or there may have been a better option in the women's department while still oversized. So, the salesperson stumbled by making it uncomfortable for you.

In the future, forget feeling uncomfortable. You are the customer! You could have said, "Oh, yes, I know where I am. I am looking for an oversized sweater for myself. Do you think you could help me find something just the right size for what I have in mind?" That would have left enough wiggle room for the salesperson to look in the men's department or head toward the women's section. The key is your level of comfort and confidence in leading the way.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am currently downsizing my life after realizing I have too many things in my possession. I recently donated 10 bags of clothes, and I threw away at least 10 bags full of garbage -- and I live in just a one-bedroom apartment!

I made a promise that I would never live like a hoarder again. What are some safe measures I can take to ensure that I do not keep so many things I really do not need? -- The Hoarder, Bronx, New York

DEAR THE HOARDER: Give yourself credit for recognizing that you hold on to too much stuff. You are not alone. That you want to safeguard yourself from collecting more things you don't need is smart to think about at this time when you have just purged. One way to do this is to assess exactly what possessions you do need in your life. This should include the basics: kitchen utensils and food, furniture, clothing, toiletries, accessories, etc.

Before you make a purchase of any kind, stop and consider if you truly need whatever the item is. Reject impulse buys by resisting the temptation to purchase or bring home anything the first time you see it. You will find that you accumulate far fewer items by saying no the first time you consider acquiring them.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Since my friend's father recently passed, it has put a strain on our friendship. He seems a bit distant these days because we do not talk as much as we used to. I ask him if he wants some company, and he normally declines. I just want him to be better and make our friendship as it once was. Do I respect his space, or should I let him be? -- A Friend in Need, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR A FRIEND IN NEED: It's important for you to accept that as things happen in life, relationships change. Your friendship may never return to the way it was before your friend's father died. That is normal -- even if it is tough for you. Staying in the present and actively choosing to support your friend is your job.

He is processing a pivotal moment in his life: the loss of his father. Chances are, he doesn't have much to say. Dealing with loss is a deeply personal process. Rather than trying to get him to talk, think of activities that he has enjoyed that are simple and fun. Invite him to do those things. Do not try to guilt him into spending time with you. Instead, stay in touch. You can call to say you are thinking about him. You can send him texts and emails from time to time with upbeat messages and photos. Continue to invite him to do things with you, and be patient. When he is ready, he will respond. Just don't crowd him too much. He needs space to move through this time in his life. You need to find other things to do in the meantime.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work for a prominent music publication, and for the first half of 2016, my staff had to write about the deaths of David Bowie, Merle Haggard, Prince and Muhammad Ali. We are mentally drained. Writing about the untimely passing of different makers in our society is exhausting, and I pray that we do not have to write another death article any time soon. How do I pick up my staff's spirits to inspire them to stay fresh? -- Pressing On, New York City

DEAR PRESSING ON: In every media organization, there is the responsibility, and often the beat, to write obituaries for prominent members of the community. While it is surely sad when people who have led outstanding lives die -- indeed, it is sad when anyone dies -- this moment represents a time to celebrate all of the great things about that individual's time on the planet.

As your team continues to write about other topics, you may want to encourage your leadership to have someone regularly researching the elders in your industry to prep obituaries for them. Death is a fact of life. When you approach it as a part of life and a way to celebrate others, you may be able to change your and your co-workers' attitudes.

Remind your team of the highlights of these people's experience, of how they made it worthwhile to be alive -- not only did they soar in their own right, they inspired others to soar as well.

DEAR HARRIETTE: How can I -- a single parent -- keep the attention of a 6-year-old while on summer vacation? I give my son total freedom when it comes to running around the house or playing in the neighborhood because he is familiar with his surroundings.

I am concerned that when we go on vacation, he will think he has the same liberties. Moreover, I think he might get hurt or put himself in harm's way. What are some ways I can allow him to be independent without me worrying every time we go on vacation? -- Parent Trap, West Orange, New Jersey

DEAR PARENT TRAP: The best thing you can do is regularly take your son to public activities where you train him to stay by your side and teach him the rules of the road. This includes how to eat in a restaurant, how to use a public bathroom, the importance of staying within your line of sight and anything else that you think is important. Teach your son when he can run free and when he cannot. Come up with cues that help to remind him of when he needs to rein in his behavior.

This is a key part of parenting, and it's absolutely essential for your son's safety. At his age, your son requires very close attention from you. On vacation, before you get out of the car to participate in an activity or leave your hotel room to begin your day, remind your son of the ground rules for the day. Give him cues for emergencies and for paying attention, and stay vigilant all day.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)