DEAR HARRIETTE: I have two young children who are longing to go trick-or-treating for Halloween. I have told them no. It’s COVID-19 time. I think it would be crazy to let them go door-to-door taking candy from people. That seems like a surefire superspreader to me. They are so sad about this. I want to do something but don’t have any ideas. What do you recommend? -- No Halloween

DEAR NO HALLOWEEN: Why not host a small gathering outside -- in your backyard or another private area -- where you allow your children to invite a few friends? The group should be no more than 10 children. All children should wear masks the entire time, which shouldn’t be hard since children wear masks on Halloween anyway. Do not serve food. That would require the children to take off their masks. Host a few games that allow them to play safely at a distance but with each other, like individual relays or charades. Provide pre-packaged candy bags for each child so that they are not grabbing into the same containers repeatedly. They will appreciate this revised way of getting dressed up and being part of this fun experience while staying as safe as possible.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I suspect that my husband is either having an affair or about to. There’s a woman he talks about a little too much, and it’s making me nervous. We have been married for a long time, but our life is pretty boring. We haven’t been intimate in ages. I imagine that this woman seems exciting by comparison to me. I don’t want to lose my husband. I don’t think accusing him of infidelity will help us any, either, although I have half a mind to chew him out for what I think he may have already done. What do you advise to rekindle my marriage? -- Want Him Back

DEAR WANT HIM BACK: When I first got married, I talked to a woman who had been married for more than 20 years. She told me that one of her secrets for a successful marriage is that she and her husband have a standing Friday night date, no matter what. Sometimes they go out; other times they stay at home. But they always do something together.

Sit down with your husband and tell him that you want to refresh your commitment to each other. Point out that you know you two have fallen into a routine that is pretty boring. Invite your husband to date you again. Think of fun things you can do that you both enjoy. Turn the TV off and talk to each other. Tell your husband that you love him and that you want to work together to ensure that the next days and months are filled with moments that you both genuinely enjoy.

The approach of reclaiming your marriage and being willing to fight for it will likely work better than accusing him of adultery and providing him with an ultimatum. If he chooses not to engage in your recommendation, ask him to tell you why. If he continues to be withdrawn from you, then ask him if he wants to stay married to you and if he is seeing someone else. Good luck.

(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: COVID has changed a lot for the education system. I just started my freshman year in college, and although I knew things were going to be different than expected, living in a dorm seems pointless. Some schools even deliver your meals. Luckily, at mine, I get to go pick it up and bring it back to my dorm. But there is literally nothing to do here. There are no sports, no gym, no clubs, no events, no parties. You cannot be around friends in computer labs or libraries or common rooms just to watch TV. We are forced into isolation and it is beginning to wear on me.

The transition from high school into college is hard enough, and virtual learning is making it more difficult. I never learn in my room. It is harder to focus, and I don’t feel like I am actually being influenced and learning the material. I just want to move out and go home. It is exhausting, and I feel like there’s nothing I can do here that I can’t do back at home with my family. Is this our new world? -- Sick of COVID

DEAR SICK OF COVID: The emotional toll that COVID-19 is taking on our world is dramatic. Many colleges offered the option for students to be on campus and live in dorms, but out of an abundance of caution, no activities are being held -- as you described. Isolation can wear you down emotionally and physically.

Before you go home, consider whether there are any students with whom you can visit outdoors at a safe distance. Can you connect with anyone in meaningful ways? If not, it may be best to move back home and do your work remotely until a vaccine can rescue us.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been seeing this guy for about a year now, and I have brought up the fact that he has not taken me out on a date yet. He always tells me that he will plan something, but he never does. He comes to see me, but all we do is hang out in his car and eat and talk. It is starting to become predictable and boring. I don’t want to do that all the time.

He complains about not wanting to spend extra money on going out. But not all dates require you to spend money. So I made it clear that if he does not want to go out and do something, then I don’t want to see him. I feel like he is never going to plan anything, and I am just wasting my time. Should I stick it out for a little bit longer to give him a chance, or should I just keep the focus on myself and see other people who are willing to do that for me? -- Need Fun

DEAR NEED FUN: Before dumping him, plan some activities and invite him to participate. He may be happy to do something fun, but he may not have ideas. His attentiveness counts for something. See if he is willing to expand his horizons by following your lead. If he refuses or really cannot afford it, you will have to decide if car dates are enough.

(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: I live in a nice gated community area. The neighbors are always friendly, families go on walks and kids play together nicely. I love it here. Recently, there have been a lot of families moving in and out of the neighborhood. I’ve noticed a little boy that I’ve never seen before that walks back and forth on my street each day and then heads to the playground. I can see from my backyard. He plays for an hour or so, then leaves. Since the school year has started, this happens every day around noon. He might be only 5 or 6 years old. I have never seen him with an adult. Sometimes there are other kids and adults at the playground, but when there are not, he plays alone, and I see him walk there and back alone.

Even though we live in a safe area, I am concerned and curious why he is always alone. I’ve thought about stopping him and asking him or following from a distance to see where he goes, but if his parents did tell him not to talk to anyone, I do not want to frighten him, I just want to make sure he is OK, being that I see him at the same time each day. What should I do? -- Friendly Neighbor

DEAR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR: The way I grew up, every family looked out for every other family. There would be no child alone and unidentified. Obviously, times have changed, but such values can stay the same. Go up to the child and introduce yourself. Be warm and friendly. Ask him his name and where his parents are. Chances are, he lives in eyeshot of the playground. Just like you can see him from your home, it is likely that his parents can see him too.

Tell him you would like to meet his parents. If he invites you to meet them or asks them to come to the playground to meet you, that would be great. Otherwise, don’t press for his address. That could spook him. Instead, do pay attention and see if you can figure out where he lives so that you can ring the bell at another time to introduce yourself, welcome them to the neighborhood and point out that you have seen their son regularly by himself. Being alone at that age is unsafe.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently broke my nose. My doctor told me to consider a nose job to correct it. I am a singer, and he says a nose job could clear a new pathway to breathe and may help me sing better, taking deeper breaths and hitting higher notes. I did some research on the surgery and correction process, and I would love to have an added benefit to help my future career.

My parents are against it. They want my nose to heal naturally. There is a risk I will have a deformed nose from it being broken and not getting corrected. My parents do not want me going under for surgery, but despite my own fear, I know that this is a good option for me. They have made their wishes clear. I am on their insurance, but I am of age to make the decision on my own. Should I follow my wishes against theirs? Am I totally wrong if I do what I think is right for me? -- Nose Job

DEAR NOSE JOB: Get a second opinion. Share that with your parents. Rhinoplasty is a common and relatively safe surgery that can be helpful in allowing you to heal fully. The added benefit of better breathing is a bonus, for sure. Your parents are naturally nervous about you going under the knife. Perhaps a second opinion will assuage their worries.

If you proceed, let them know. Promise to pay any co-payments and deductibles, and proceed.

(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.)