DEAR HARRIETTE: I have security cameras set up on the inside and outside of my home. The cameras record everything, and I can see all activity from my cellphone. Recently, I’ve been getting alerts about activity being detected in my backyard while I’m at work. I was totally freaked out by this until I realized it is my mother-in-law creeping around my property. She’s been looking through our windows -- specifically the primary bedroom and my infant son’s room. I talked to my husband about it, and he said that he would handle it, but he is not great at standing up to his mother. I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. How do I approach her without causing a huge fight? -- Creeper

DEAR CREEPER: Tell your husband that you intend to talk to his mother so that you can stand in solidarity. Invite your mother-in-law over to visit. Tell her you need to talk to her about something important. Then tell her you were concerned that someone was trying to break into your home until you discovered she has been lurking on your property. Ask her why she has been doing that. Ask her what she wants and what she is looking for. Listen to hear what possible explanation she gives you.

Next, ask her to stop. Point out that it is disconcerting for you to receive alarms of intruders at your home and, worse, to know that she seems to feel the need to stalk your home. Ask her how she would feel if someone did that to her.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work for myself. I travel a lot for work, though it was on pause for the last two years. Now I’m traveling again, and it’s a nightmare. On one recent trip, my flight was delayed eight hours one way and canceled for the return. I ended up missing several important meetings because of these changes. I worked it out, but it was awkward. I need to keep my clients and have them trust me, but it is impossible to schedule my time effectively when traveling is so unpredictable. What can I say to my clients if and when this happens again? -- Bad Travel

DEAR BAD TRAVEL: For many reasons, air travel is unreliable right now, which can wreak havoc on your work and personal schedules. This knowledge may not console you much, but you truly are not alone.

For now, you may want to avoid scheduling formal meetings or calls on the day after scheduled travel. Reserve those days for paperwork or for clients who will understand if you are delayed or unavailable. Alert your active clients when you are planning to be on the road so that they have an idea of your whereabouts. Pay close attention to emails. Respond remotely whenever you can. Some airlines have Wi-Fi, which allows you to email from the air. Find out if your carrier offers this option. If so, at the very least you may be able to communicate online if you are stuck in flight.

(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 serve on a community board in my city that has done a lot of good over the years. I have had many different roles, and it has been a good run. I am getting older now and want to retire. The problem is that the board is small, and its members are pressing me to stay on. I appreciate the support, but I have had health issues and know that it is time for me to step down. I spoke to the chair of the board recently, and he refused to accept my resignation. To guilt me, he claims that if I leave, the board will be in violation because they are required by law to have a certain number of board members. I’m sorry if that is true, but that is not my problem. How can I extricate myself without things getting ugly? -- Time To Go

DEAR TIME TO GO: Because you are so committed to this board and its work, consider giving them a deadline by which they need to find a replacement board member, and agree that you will remain on the board in the meantime. Make it clear that when that date arrives, you will be leaving, period.

Remind the chair and the board of your unwavering commitment to the work as you also reinforce that it is now time for you to retire from this role. Be prepared to submit a formal letter of resignation to the board in which you list your reasons for leaving. Should your departure put the organization in jeopardy, remember that it is not your fault. You gave them ample notice and many years of service.

DEAR HARRIETTE: A friend of mine wrote a book, and I have offered to help him promote it. It turns out that he is pretty shy and reluctant to accept my help. I know that he has to hustle himself in order to get the word out and sell. I don’t mean to be pushy, but if he sits back and doesn’t do anything, chances are, the book will come and go without any fanfare or real sales. Should I continue to push him to promote himself even if he doesn’t currently feel comfortable doing it? If so, what can I do to get him to do more? -- Promote Your Book

DEAR PROMOTE YOUR BOOK: As an author myself, I can tell you that writing a book is very different from promoting it. Many authors are quiet and somewhat reclusive, so it can be hard for them to step up and wear their marketing hat. Indeed, many authors don’t know the first thing about marketing.

You are kind to want to help your friend. Maybe you can start small with him. Offer to host a small gathering of friends who will want to learn about his book. Create an intimate book signing where he will feel comfortable talking about his book. This may warm him up for larger engagements. However, know that you can only push so much. If he continues to balk, stop. Let the future play out as it will.

(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 have been seeing someone casually for a few years. I stopped seeing him when I got into a serious relationship, but when that relationship ended, we began seeing each other casually again. Up until recently, we had never had a physically intimate relationship. Ever since we introduced physical intimacy into our casual relationship, he seems to be very interested in being exclusive with me.

I don’t hate the idea of being in a relationship with this person, but it’s a little strange that he’s suddenly serious now that we’ve been intimate. Could this be a bad sign? Would it be foolish to explore a relationship with him, given the circumstances? -- Curious

DEAR CURIOUS: It could be that he was always interested in being more serious with you but didn’t know how to say it. It could be that crossing that barrier into physical intimacy was a game-changer for him. I’m old-school, so I believe that should represent some degree of commitment. I think it’s a very good sign that this man considers this an opportunity to deepen your bond.

It is time now for you to step back and consider what you want. You have enjoyed this man’s friendship for years. Now the dynamics have changed. Do you like where you two are? Can you envision a future with him? What do you want? Once you are clear about that, ask him what he wants. Talk to him. Get vulnerable in your conversation and figure out what’s next. This may be your moment together.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who copies everything that I do, literally. This has been going on for a long time. We grew up together and went through high school in the same class. That’s when it started. She would go out and buy my favorite top or get her hair cut the same as mine. It was annoying back then, but now, some 10 years later, I have noticed that she is still doing it.

We don’t see each other much -- intentionally on my part -- but we are still connected on social media. Last month, I got a brand-new hairstyle with a new color and cut. I noticed that she posted a photo of herself this week with a look identical to mine. It was creepy to me. We are grown women, and she’s still copying me! Should I say something to her? We barely speak or see each other these days, yet here she is, still clinging. -- Let Go

DEAR LET GO: If you really want to separate yourself from this woman, consider blocking her from your social media. That way, at least she won’t be able to observe you directly. However, if she is hellbent on being your clone, she will still find a way to do so. If that is the case, what you can do is let go of any emotion you have toward her. Just let her be. For whatever reason, she is fan-girling you. Let her do that, and live your own authentic life.

(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.)