DEAR HARRIETTE: I took a job as an assistant to a celebrity hairstylist a few months ago. Sometimes, when he is late to an appointment or has to leave early unexpectedly, I will start or finish the job myself. Despite this, when he posts the clients’ pictures to his (very popular) Instagram page, he never credits me for helping him. The credit alone would be enough to help me secure my own clients. I don’t know how to approach him about crediting me without making things awkward. I don’t want to lose this job, but I need the exposure to venture out on my own someday. How do I ask him for credit? -- Tag Me in the Pictures

DEAR TAG ME IN THE PICTURES: Sorry, but what you are asking is just not how it works. My background is in editorial and fashion. Typically, credit is given to the principal stylists on any given job. The support team is valued and gets paid, but it is not required that the styling assistants receive credit for the work. Of course, some stylists are more generous than others with credit. But it is not common practice.

What you must do is hone your skills, do the best job possible, learn the craft and respectfully build relationships. You have been there only for a short time. Develop a relationship with your stylist. Learn from him. Tell him how much you appreciate working for him at this time. You should also look for freelance opportunities to work with models and others, independent of your boss. Start your own social media page, and post your styles there. Build your own presence. Pay attention. If the time comes when you can post a photo with your boss or at one of his shoots to show that you are part of that world, do so. But be sure to get his permission first.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Things were going pretty well with my boyfriend up until a few nights ago. I found out that he got into a physical altercation with the new boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend. He confronted the man at a party and ended up sustaining a few injuries after the fight. This is a huge red flag to me. Why was he confronting this man unless he has unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend?

I’m feeling very conflicted now because I have no interest in staying with someone who might still be in love with his ex. Would breaking up with him over this be too hasty of a decision? We haven’t really had a discussion about this. -- Huge Red Flag

DEAR HUGE RED FLAG: You are right to be extremely concerned about this fight. Sit down with your boyfriend and ask him to explain what triggered the fight. Listen carefully. Ask him if he has unresolved feelings for his ex. Ask him to tell you if he has gotten into fights before. You need to get to know him to determine if he has a temperament that you can live with. Be careful not to back him in a corner as you talk to him. But let him know you are extremely concerned.

If he refuses to talk about the incident, consider that a red flag. If enough signs feel uncomfortable or suspicious, end the relationship. You have to trust your gut and also protect yourself. Do not anger him to the point that he might lash out at you. Just call things as you see them, and let him know how you want to proceed. Get backup from friends and loved ones if needed.

(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 am dating a woman who has a 2-year-old child. I have no issue with the fact that she is a mother. I do, however, have an issue with the fact that she will not tell me who the child’s father is. Why is it some huge secret? We’ve only been dating for a month now, but I think I have a right to know. What if he’s dangerous and takes issue with me being around his child? Should I be worried that she won’t tell me? Is it none of my business? -- Suspicious

DEAR SUSPICIOUS: It is too soon for you to be placing any demands on this woman about the identity of her child’s father. One month into this bond is still getting-to-know-each-other territory, surely a probationary period for your relationship. Women are often very private about such things for a host of reasons, ranging from wanting to keep that part of her life separate to not knowing who the father is -- and plenty in between.

Your concerns are legitimate, however. Explain to your girlfriend why you are curious about her child’s father, particularly as it relates to safety. Ask her if there is any reason you should be on alert about being in a relationship with her, such as if this man might show up making his own demands, etc. Assure her that you like her and her baby, but if this relationship stands a chance, you will need to talk about her past -- just as you share about yours.

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I was in high school, a girl who I considered a good friend of mine stole a very important piece of jewelry from me. I was heartbroken for many reasons but never confronted her about it because I didn’t have proof. The other day, I stumbled across her Facebook page and saw a picture of her wearing that same piece of jewelry. It’s been years since I’ve seen or heard from her, but I’m determined to get back my necklace. I wrote to her immediately, and she instantly blocked me. What can I do now? -- Stolen Jewelry

DEAR STOLEN JEWELRY: Do you have any proof of purchase or possession of this necklace? For instance, do you have photos of yourself wearing it? Might you have a copy of the receipt, even though you got it many years ago? With proof of purchase or possession, you might be able to sue her. You would go to small claims court to file a complaint against this woman. Just by virtue of making the accusation formal, you might get a positive response from her. Be sure to have a photo from her social media where she is wearing the necklace and any supporting evidence that proves the necklace is yours. It’s worth trying.

If the legal route doesn’t work, you can try shaming her. Reach out to her family and friends. Let them know what happened. Show them proof. Explain the importance of the necklace to you and how devastating it was that your so-called friend would have stolen it from you. Ask them to help you get it back.

(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 friend was a little tipsy the other night and confessed to me that her current boyfriend has gotten violent with her in the past. She assured me that it happened only one time and that it was minor, but I’m furious. A man should never put his hands on a woman under any circumstances. She said that if I repeated what she told me, she would never forgive me. I don’t think that I have probable cause to report her boyfriend to the police. I genuinely don’t know what to do. My friend will absolutely not break up with him. I’m feeling helpless and scared for what’s to come. What should my next step be? -- Scared for My Friend

DEAR SCARED FOR MY FRIEND: It’s good that your friend disclosed this frightening information to you. At least she has opened a door to communicating about her pain. As hard as it will be, you should not attempt to intervene. Instead, do your best to be a supportive friend to her. Avoid badmouthing her boyfriend, though you shouldn’t praise him either. Whenever you have an opportunity, encourage her to do things that will build her self-esteem. Talk to her about her hopes and dreams for her life and what strategy she wants to develop to reach them.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE, you can help your friend by pointing to resources. You can suggest that you will take her to see an attorney or a women’s shelter. You can point her toward making a “safety plan,” which can help her to escape to safety if she needs it. For more information, go to thehotline.org/support-others/ways-to-support.

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I graduated from high school, my dad and stepmother threw me a graduation party at their house. My mother and stepmom never had the best relationship, but they put their differences aside to celebrate my special day. Four years later, I am about to graduate from college, and my mom has decided to throw me a graduation party herself. She did not invite my stepmother to the celebration. I think it’s wrong that she wouldn’t invite my stepmother, but the celebration was going to be exclusively for my mother’s side of the family, so it does make a little bit of sense. My father told my mother that he isn’t going if my stepmom can’t go. What should I do? -- Mom Vs. Stepmom

DEAR MOM VS. STEPMOM: Talk to your mother face-to-face. Thank her for wanting to create a special event to celebrate this momentous time in your life. Especially now, when people are just coming out to physically be together, this party means so much to you. And it is hurting you, your father and your stepmom that she is being excluded. Point out that this woman is family now. Tell your mother that you want your father to come to your celebration and he, naturally, wants his wife to attend. Ask her to put her personal feelings about this woman aside, as was done four years ago, so that your desire for both parents to be with you at your graduation party will be realized.

(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.)