DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a preschool teacher, and I have had to reprimand "Adam" more times than I can remember. He is constantly touching me inappropriately on my chest or behind. I tell him this is not allowed, but he never listens to me, or he simply giggles and runs away. Adam’s parents aren't very involved, so I’d feel like a burden reaching out to them, but I feel this developmental step is important for Adam to learn. Do I just bite the bullet and have them come in to speak with me? -- Paws Off, Richmond, Virginia

DEAR PAWS OFF: Start with your school guidance counselor or principal -- or whoever is in charge. What you have described seems like something more dire than an untrained child. Why would a preschooler constantly grab you in what he should know as “private" parts? This suggests that someone may be touching him inappropriately, or that he is witnessing someone being touched aggressively without consequence. Talk this over with the counselor, and then create a plan of action for speaking with the parents. Definitely invite them to come to talk to you, and explain that it is important that they be present. Outline what has occurred. Ask them if they have any idea why their son would behave in that way, and ask them to help you help Adam curb this behavior.

Pay attention to Adam. If he ever reveals signs of abuse, go to your supervisor. You may have to call child protective services if things get worse.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work on commission at a department store. "Jenna" is new to our location, and she has been poaching my customers by waiting outside their dressing rooms or even coming up to me while I am assisting them. She always says a line about how she'll be a better associate because it'll be like “girl time” for her and the customer. Jenna has stolen enough of my sales to drive me crazy. How do I end her sneaky ways? -- Not Your Turf, Los Angeles

DEAR NOT YOUR TURF: Speak to your supervisor, and explain your frustration. Ask for support in delineating customers who are rightfully yours. Ask your supervisor to reinforce the rules of teamwork and commission that are followed in your store. Remind your supervisor of your performance on the job prior to Jenna’s arrival. Point out that you have no problem working alongside Jenna and that you believe there should be enough clients for everyone. What you do not appreciate is Jenna undercutting you and stealing your customers. Tell your boss that you are worried that her attitude will poison the staff, as it is already very upsetting to you. Implore your boss to observe the dynamics between Jenna and you and the other sales associates so that she can see for herself what you are talking about.

Beyond that, you may need to become more assertive with your customers. Tell them your name when you start working with them. When they go into the dressing room, remind them of your name and let them know you will be back to check on them in a few minutes.

(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 Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boss’ son works in my department. A few days ago, my boss called me into his office to ask if I thought his son deserved a promotion. I hesitated, and my boss said I could have a few days to observe and come back to him with a final answer. I have been working in the department far longer than his son, so I would like to use this opportunity to mention that I should be considered for a promotion. Is this the right setting to do this? His son does not deserve a promotion after only a few months on the job. -- My Time to Shine, Pensacola, Florida

DEAR MY TIME TO SHINE: Tread carefully on this one. Do your best to address your boss’ son separately from yourself. Pay attention to the son, and observe how he works. Be prepared to report back to your boss with specifics of what you believe his son is doing well and where he might have room to grow. Note the roles and responsibilities of his position. Based on that, is there room for a promotion? Is it common practice at your company to promote so quickly?

Before the conversation ends, ask your boss if you can inquire about another matter. Remind him of how long you have worked for the company and what you have accomplished. Point to the qualifications for the next job up from yours, and tell him why you think you should be considered for the job. If the son is promoted anyway, do your best not to be upset or jealous. You cannot compete with him. You must stay focused on cultivating your talents.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a college student who is paying for her own education. My friend, "Sarah," and I have bonded over dreading tuition-payment time, but recently she appears to be very rich. She's gotten nice handbags, cash and weekend getaways from what I can tell on her social media. I suspect an older man is helping her out. Should I ask her to open up to me? I never see Sarah working anymore. -- Sugar Daddy, Memphis, Tennessee

DEAR SUGAR DADDY: You may be right about your friend, but before you inquire, ask yourself why you want to know. What will you say to your friend if you learn that she has someone footing her bill right now? While I’m sure you don’t think it is a good idea (I don’t either), it will be difficult to convince your friend that she is making the wrong decision while she is in the throes of it.

If you do end up talking to Sarah, you might tell her that you are concerned for her. Although it may seem like fun right now to be taken care of, this usually comes with strings attached. You could remind her of her long-term goals and encourage her not to forget them. You do not need to know who is paying her bills.

(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 Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wedding anniversary is coming up soon, and I really want to do something special with my husband this time. Historically, he never wants to do anything. I always want to create some kind of celebration, and if anything happens, it’s because I plan it. I wish my husband would initiate an idea for us. Since that’s not likely to happen, what can I do to make the day special so that he will enjoy it as well? -- Anniversary Blues, Cleveland

DEAR ANNIVERSARY BLUES: You can start talking up your anniversary and approach it as a collaborative celebration. Remind your husband that you would like to do something special to honor the day. Ask him what he might like. A romantic dinner? A play? A weekend getaway? A party? Throw out a few ideas to see what appeals to him. Find out if he would like to do something just with you or with a few close friends. Figure in your own preferences. If you already know you would like to throw a party, say so. You must be proactive.

DEAR HARRIETTE: A friend of mine just wrote a book. She has been working on this memoir for more than 10 years, and she finally self-published it. She asked me to read it and tell all of my friends about it so that she can get the word out and sell it.

The problem is that I have read it -- well, as much as I can. And it’s not good. The writing is terrible. It doesn’t seem to have been edited. There are lots of typos and grammatical errors, plus the storytelling leaves a lot to be desired.

I don’t want to hurt my friend’s feelings, but I cannot in good faith tell my other friends that this book is worth buying. What can I say to her? -- Bad Book, Alexandria, Virginia

DEAR BAD BOOK: If you can drum up the confidence, you should tell her the truth. Start by acknowledging how long she has worked on this project and that you know she must feel a real sense of accomplishment in finishing it. Point out, though, that you have some concerns that you would like to share with her. Explain that they have arisen because she asked you to read and then recommend and promote her book. You took her request seriously, and now you have some comments to make before you think the book is ready to be promoted.

Ask for her blessing for you to continue. Then tell her of your concerns. In a perfect world, you will mark up a copy of the book with notations where there are mistakes. If you are adept at doing that, go for it. Otherwise, show her a few places where there are obvious errors, along with questions regarding the content.

Finally, tell her that you will be happy to promote the book -- when you think a paying audience will receive it positively.

(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 Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)