DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom and I do not get along. She was a single mom, and when I was growing up, she had a ton of rules and complained and yelled about things in the house not being a specific way. She kicked me out for multiple months at a time while I was in high school. I am now 23, and she has remarried. I do not get along with her husband either.

Five months ago, she told me she was selling our family home to get a one-bedroom apartment for her and her husband, and I needed to move out in two months. I have my own place now, and we have spoken regularly, but I have noticed that three months have passed since I left, and she has not put the house up for sale. I cannot help but think that she lied to me to get me out of the house once and for all. I feel betrayed and have not brought it up because I feel like she chose her husband over me. I know an argument like that would end any relationship I would care to have with her. Am I assuming the worst of her? -- Abandoned

DEAR ABANDONED: I am sorry that you and your mother have had such a combative relationship. It is obvious that it hurts your feelings deeply. Now that you are an adult, though, it is time for you to be independent. No one knows if your mother will actually move, but it is good that you did. By living in your own space, you are in charge of your destiny. You do not have to abide by your mother’s rules. You can create your own and begin to build self-esteem on your own terms.

Let go of your questions about whether or not your mother will move. Turn your attention to your own life, dreams and goals. Focus on yourself. Also, wish your mother well. If she is happy, she will likely be kinder to you. I hope that over time you can let go of the feeling of being abandoned. Consider yourself like a baby bird who was pushed out of the nest -- all so that you can fly!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son returned from college last summer. He finished with a bachelor’s degree in education. We agreed that in 2020, he would begin applying for teaching jobs to start this fall. Now quarantine has passed, and school is starting next month. I have been waiting for news of his new teaching job. When I finally asked him what school he will work for, he told me he has decided to go down a different path -- but he is not sure what yet. I’m speechless. He has a degree he does not intend on using. We spent so many months in quarantine, and he still does not even know what this new path is. Why would he waste so much time? -- My Son’s Not a Teacher

DEAR MY SON’S NOT A TEACHER: I wish you had been talking to your son throughout the quarantine period. He probably needed to talk through his plans and reconsider his future. Education right now is tenuous at best, even for veteran teachers. It is not surprising that your son is skittish about taking a teaching job -- if there is even one available. Many schools have hiring freezes at this time.

Move past your disappointment and talk to him so you can support him as he looks for a new path. Millions of people have recently filed for unemployment. It may be very difficult to find work. He needs your support.

(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 co-worker is in a wheelchair. During quarantine, our general manager sent a memo for all employees to use a back entrance to our store in order to do proper check-in before our shifts. This entrance is not handicap accessible. My co-worker asked to use an alternative entrance where he can get inside without help.

My co-worker came to me concerned for his job after being shot down by our general manager and was told he needs to use the same entrance as everyone else. I could not believe this! He is in a protected class and should be treated as such. Now I want to take action. Where do I start? -- Supportive Co-Worker

DEAR SUPPORTIVE CO-WORKER: COVID-19 has not always brought out the best in people. Your manager sounds stressed and stretched. Clearly, he is not thinking compassionately about your co-worker who cannot discard his disability simply because there is a need for change at the office.

You could go to your general manager privately and point out that this new rule makes it impossible for your co-worker to navigate entry into the building independently. Ask him to reconsider allowing your co-worker to use a wheelchair-friendly entrance.

Before you point out the legal requirement to provide access to this employee, check the rules. If this is a small business with fewer than 15 employees, the company is not required to make that accommodation. If that’s the case, appealing to the general manager’s humanity is the way to go. For more details, go to eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/your-employment-rights-individual-disability.

If your general manager refuses to allow your friend to use a different entrance, why don’t you offer to meet him each morning, if possible, to help him enter the job? Hopefully, this will be a temporary problem.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and I want to open a restaurant. It has been our shared dream since the day that we met. Now that we are moving toward the first steps, we are finding that we have a lot of differences of opinion when it comes to the business. It's been a battle to make every decision. At this point, we have divided responsibilities and decisions just so we do not argue. We have had a good handle on it so far, and I know our marriage is strong enough to handle anything, but with our whole life savings being invested in this restaurant, I want to make sure it succeeds. Are we in over our heads, or should I just keep the faith? They say don’t mix business with pleasure, but this is my life partner; I think we need to be all-in or nothing. What’s your thought? -- Winning Couple

DEAR WINNING COUPLE: Sit down and talk through the requirements for getting the restaurant up and going. Delineate duties based on skill and interest. Point out that since you are experiencing conflict working together on the job, it is best to divide but important to come together to approve general concepts, budget and timeline. If you can continue to work together respectfully -- even when you disagree -- you stand a better chance of surviving and thriving.

(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: Since I was young, waking up in the morning and starting my day has always been a struggle, along with my lifelong battle with anxiety. I am starting a new job, and I face my anxiety every morning. I overthink everything that I need to do before I get out the door for my commute. I get so anxious and overwhelmed that I am regretting taking the job and am considering the possibility that I may never have a normal life. What can I do? My anxiety is ruining my life. -- Scared Early Bird

DEAR SCARED EARLY BIRD: You should speak to a therapist to address your anxiety. If you have clinically diagnosed anxiety, there are medical treatments that may be able to help you dramatically change your state and help you to cope with your daily routine.

Beyond that, you can also do things to help yourself. Years ago I learned that it is wise to plan your day the night before. That includes reviewing the schedule of the day and preparing for it. Select the clothing that you will wear based upon the day’s requirements. Pack your work bag. If you bring your lunch to work, prepare it and bag it so that all you have to do is retrieve it from the refrigerator. Do everything you can the night before so that when you wake up, you are executing your plan rather than contemplating what the plan should be. This can cut down significantly on any discomfort you may be feeling.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My soon-to-be-ex-husband and I have two teenage kids. We have been married 20 years but have been separated for the past five. I have a boyfriend of two years, but I still live at home with my family. My boyfriend and I recently had a baby, and we are now looking for a home of our own to buy while my divorce is finalized.

The issue is that my ex-husband cannot let go. We all get along well, which I am thankful for, but he makes me feel like he is too comfortable with the situation, which makes me uncomfortable. Now he has invited my boyfriend and my newborn to come live together with him and my kids as a big blended family. Everyone is happy, but I just do not think this is the answer. Am I being closed-minded? Should I embrace this new family? -- Newly Blended

DEAR NEWLY BLENDED: You say that you currently live at home with your family. Does that mean that you still live with your soon-to-be-ex-husband and your children? If that is true, it is kind and thoughtful of your ex to invite you to stay and to welcome your boyfriend. Did you have the baby while living at home with your family? Again, if that is so, it makes sense that your ex would imagine that you would be planning to stay. You haven’t left yet.

I also think it’s a good idea for you to move and establish your own home with your new family, in close enough proximity to be able to stay close to your children. Your job now is to work out your family dynamics with your ex and with your new partner. Since you have children, you will have to work it all out together to create harmony.

(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.)