DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm currently studying abroad in Spain, and I've been fortunate to connect with amazing people through the Bumble BFF app. The issue is that my new friends are scattered across Europe, and when I approach the end of my time in Spain, I'm concerned about maintaining these friendships once I return to the United States. While I value these connections deeply, I've always struggled to stay in touch with distant acquaintances. I want to ensure that the bonds I've formed during my time abroad remain strong and meaningful, even when we're not in the same city. Could you provide some guidance on how to navigate and sustain long-distance friendships effectively? -- Staying Connected

DEAR STAYING CONNECTED: Think about how you are connecting now. You say your new friends are scattered all over Europe, which means you aren’t seeing them every day. Technology is assisting you in building these new friendships. Don’t give up on that when you cross the ocean. You can continue to talk via the Bumble BFF app, use WhatsApp, text, etc. While you may not stay close to every person you are enjoying during this study abroad experience, there will be some standout people who will be worth keeping. This will happen naturally.

For now, be in the moment. Enjoy every day. Pay attention to how you are engaging each other and who naturally gravitates to you. Choose to spend more time with the people who share your interests and values. Allow your relationships to unfold naturally. When it comes time to leave, make plans to see each other again. Perhaps someone from Europe will come to visit you in the United States. The door does not have to close.

During the time when you are thousands of miles apart, consider organizing video chat gatherings periodically where you all sign in, eat your favorite foods and swap stories about your lives. That can be lots of fun.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, letter-writer "Clear the Air" was upset that her work superior thought a text about her contributions being overlooked was inappropriate. You suggested that she send her leader an emotion-free text.

In business situations, email is still the preferred method of communication. Perhaps that was what her superior was trying to tell her without actually stating that fact. If you're stuck in traffic and will be late to work, a text (instead of an email) may be appropriate. By sending an email about work-related situations, though, you have a record of your communication that you can always go back to, especially if you need to escalate the problem to your human resources department. -- A Seasoned Employee

DEAR A SEASONED EMPLOYEE: I co-sign your clarification about email, and I will add that a face-to-face conversation between the employee and the boss could also prove to be effective. While it isn’t documented, talking to each other can often help to clear the air and build a tighter bond with someone.

(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: A childhood friend suggested seeking platonic relationship counseling for our 15-year friendship that's facing challenges due to differing opinions and life phases. We were very close when we were growing up, and as life has happened, we seem to be drifting apart. I would love to stay friends with him, but I'm unsure if this is too extreme for a nonromantic relationship. How can I assess whether therapy is appropriate and beneficial for our situation? -- Friend Counseling

DEAR FRIEND COUNSELING: I absolutely LOVE this idea. Why does therapy have to be for couples or families only? In many instances, the people we are closest to are friends, and, over time, many friendships face roadblocks. The fact that your friend values your relationship enough to admit that things are uncomfortable now and you could use help figuring your way through it is outstanding.

Do some research to find a therapist who has experience in counseling platonic friends. Then go to this therapist with an open heart and willingness to go through the process. What commonly happens in therapy is that people begin to discuss things about themselves from their past that impact them today. What you discover will likely be useful for this friendship -- and beyond.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm 19 years old, and I still live at home with my mom. Being the youngest in my family, my close relationship with my mom has led to resentment from my older siblings, who are 23 and 27. Now that I'm the only one at home, the strain has increased. They accuse me of monopolizing her time or getting her to take my side on things. I think that’s ridiculous. Of course I talk to her more. We live in the same house. How can I maintain a strong connection with my mom while addressing the growing tension with my siblings? I value all of these relationships and want to find a balance. -- Jealousy

DEAR JEALOUSY: Live your life. The bond you and your mother have is precious and should be treated as such. You are at home. Be fully present. Continue to talk to your mom and support her as she supports you. Soak up all the knowledge you can while you are living with her. What you can do less of is talk about these moments with your siblings. Your relationship with your mom is uniquely yours.

Your siblings are young adults now. At their ages, they are building their own independent lives, even as they are still clinging to your mom. Their dynamics are naturally changing. Sadly, you are caught in the middle. Do your best to stay out of their drama. Encourage them to spend time with your mom and to call her on a regular basis to check in. You can also suggest times when the three of you can hang out. Ask them to include you in some of their social activities so that you get out of the house and enjoy each other’s company as siblings.

(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've observed that I find it challenging to cope with criticism, particularly in my professional sphere, even when it's meant to be constructive. How can I cultivate a more resilient approach to feedback, effectively separating personal emotions from my professional development? I'm eager to understand how to view criticism as a valuable tool for improvement rather than allowing it to demotivate me. -- Welcoming Feedback

DEAR WELCOMING FEEDBACK: Imagine if you went through life with people only singing your praises. While you may flirt with the idea that this would be great, think again. You wouldn’t have a clue as to when you should rethink your work. You would have no indication of the need for course correction or growth. Start thinking about feedback as a useful tool for personal and professional development.

You can take some control over your feelings about criticism by inviting it. After each project that you complete, check in with your boss to learn what they think worked well and what can be improved upon in the future. Take notes, and don’t forget. Consider the input as a gift that will help you to do the best job possible.

When you receive unsolicited feedback, take a breath, listen and ask yourself how this feedback can be valuable to you. Resist deflecting it and persecuting the messenger for daring to say something negative to you. Consider what’s being said and how you can use it to strengthen your capabilities. When you change your attitude about feedback, it can become a tremendous asset to your development.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I find myself in a challenging situation as a parent raising both a teenager and a toddler, where my toddler was not planned but has become a bundle of joy. The struggle to balance their distinct needs is overwhelming, and, with my reentry into the workforce, trivial responsibilities with my toddler are falling on my teenage daughter. This situation is the opposite of what I envisioned, having been a teenager myself who had to drag my younger siblings everywhere. Despite the financial strain, I'm contemplating whether squeezing a nanny into our tight budget would be a viable solution. Any advice on managing this family dynamic and finding a balance that doesn't compromise my teenage daughter's well-being and our family's financial well-being? -- Child Care

DEAR CHILD CARE: Thank your teenager often for all that she does to take care of your toddler. Even with extra help, a lot will continue to fall on her. Your gratitude is extremely important to help balance it all. Even though you are often tired, set aside one-on-one time with your teenager where you can be together. This will help you to learn what’s going on in her life without being too pushy. You can share some of your stories about when you were helping with your younger siblings. Be honest about what you liked and what you didn’t, and thank her again for doing it even as you know sometimes she wishes she didn’t have to do so.

As far as a nanny goes, do your research. Figure out what you can afford each week that will provide relief for everyone. You may only need to hire a babysitter for a few hours, or consider sending your toddler to day care.

(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.)