DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm currently in a tough spot where I'm considering moving out of my parents' house in the suburbs of Chicago, but my two older siblings, who live nearby, aren't stepping up to help out with our parents' care. I want to be independent and pursue my corporate career, but I also feel guilty about leaving my parents, who are both in their late 70s and dealing with health issues, in a situation where they might not get the support they need.

How can I handle this situation in a way that ensures my parents are taken care of while still pursuing my own goals? I'm torn between my desire for independence, my responsibility toward my family, and my uncooperative siblings. Any advice on how to strike a balance here? -- Primary Caregiver

DEAR PRIMARY CAREGIVER: You need to call a family meeting with your siblings and have a frank discussion with them about your parents’ future. Make it clear to them that you all bear some responsibility for caring for them, and it is time for everyone to agree on a strategy together. In your advance work, map out duties that you believe need to be fulfilled with recommendations for who does what. Be sure to do this from the perspective of you no longer living in the home. Present your ideas and listen to theirs. This will likely be the first of many conversations. Don’t let them get away with doing nothing.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My manager is extremely bossy, and it's making my job environment unpleasant. I really like the company and the co-workers, but my boss makes my life miserable. I've been actively searching for a new job, but with the current state of the job market being so tough, finding opportunities has been difficult. While I continue my job search, I'm struggling to figure out how to manage my relationship with my boss. Every day feels like a battle, and it's taking a toll on my morale and productivity.

How should I deal with a boss who constantly micromanages and dictates every aspect of my work? I understand that confrontation might not be the best approach, especially given the current circumstances, but I also don't want to continue feeling disempowered and frustrated. Is there anything I can do to improve my relationship with my boss or at least make the situation more bearable until I can secure a new job? -- Managing My Boss

DEAR MANAGING MY BOSS: Go on the offensive. Ask your boss if you can have a weekly meeting where you go over what is expected of you and let them know you will give reports daily on your progress. Explain that it is hard for you to get things done well when they are constantly questioning your work. Suggest that if you commit to detailed daily reporting, it should satisfy their concerns about your productivity while allowing you space to get the work done.

(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 close friend and I are both actively seeking employment in the same city and industry. We both recently lost our jobs at the same company and have been looking for about two months now. We live in New York City and have a shared circle of friends we are networking with and asking around for open positions. It seems to have stirred up feelings of competition and tension between us. We've always been supportive of each other, but now that we're vying for similar positions, it feels like a different dynamic has emerged.

There's an unspoken sense of rivalry hanging in the air, and it's starting to affect our interactions. Conversations that used to be filled with encouragement now seem tinged with underlying resentment and jealousy when one of us gets an interview. I value our friendship deeply and want nothing more than for both of us to succeed, but I'm struggling to deal with this tension. How can we maintain our support for each other while also pursuing our individual career goals? -- In Competition

DEAR IN COMPETITION: Sadly, when people are in desperate circumstances, it can bring out the worst in them. I recommend that you stop telling each other when you have interviews. Let your job searches be individual experiences that you keep to yourself. Begin to expand your network as well. Go to events in your industry, and meet people outside of your inner circle who may prove to be good contacts for job opportunities. Pursue your next job independent of your friend. When you find a job, do let them know. If you hear of jobs they may like, share that information. If your friend gets a job before you, sincerely congratulate them. After you both are settled into new positions, you may be able to rekindle your friendship.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 85-year-old mother just passed away two weeks ago. In her will, she made the unexpected decision to leave her entire estate to the church, opting not to allocate any portion of her assets to her three children. Understandably, my siblings and I are feeling a mix of emotions: grief over the loss of our mother, confusion about her decision and a sense of frustration. While we respect her right to distribute her assets as she saw fit, we can't help but feel hurt by her choice to exclude us entirely. Adding to the complexity is the fact that we all could have used the financial support her estate would provide. Whether it's paying off debts, covering educational expenses or securing a more stable financial future, the inheritance would undoubtedly have alleviated some of the burdens we currently face. How do we come to terms with our mother's decision and find closure in our feelings of loss and confusion? -- No Inheritance

DEAR NO INHERITANCE: You may never fully understand why your mother chose not to share her wealth with any of you. Of course it hurts. What you must do is accept her decision. Clearly, she was a woman of faith. She must have thought that the church was the source of her strength. You and your siblings need to find that same strength in each other as you mourn her loss and forge a path ahead. Choose to grow closer to each other as you heal. Consider grief counseling to help you sort through your feelings.

(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 recently returned to the United States after studying abroad, and I have a whirlwind of emotions following my departure from the city that became my temporary home. I am sad to leave the friends I made from all over the world, and I’m also leaving behind a guy I connected with.

During my time abroad, I met an incredible guy who not only showed me around the city, but also made me feel understood in a way I hadn't experienced before. He was kind, had a stable job and went above and beyond to ensure I felt welcomed and included in his world. Our connection felt genuine and deep, and saying goodbye before boarding my flight back to the U.S. was sad for both of us. We weren’t ever an official couple, so I know that our communication is going to be limited. I feel sad because I don’t know if I’ll ever find someone who can live up to the expectations that I have in a partner like he did. Is there a way to preserve the connection we shared, or should I focus on moving forward and cherishing the memories we created together? -- Missing Him

DEAR MISSING HIM: Does that relationship have to be over? Before you shut that door, tell him how you feel. Express your sadness due to your separation. Tell him how special you felt your connection was. Explore whether there is a relationship worth maintaining. Some people do have successful long-distance relationships, so it is possible.

If the distance won’t allow for an ongoing romantic connection, can you two figure out how to stay close as friends? Talk to each other honestly and work it out. You shouldn’t have to cast him aside completely. Instead, determine how you can remain in each other’s lives moving forward.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m writing to “Welcoming Three,” the reader who is pregnant with triplets. After seeing your letter in the newspaper, I felt like I should reach out and share a little advice as the mother of 31-year-old triplet sons. During my pregnancy, I worried a lot about whether they would be born too early, be healthy and all of the usual fears of a first-time mother. One of the best decisions that I made was to pay attention only to people who had had good outcomes. There are many folks who want to share their experiences, good and bad, which heightened my own fears.

Contact Multiples of America (multiplesofamerica.org), a group that offers information and support to families both before and after the birth of multiples. Honor this time to let your babies grow and develop by eating well, resting often and being the best incubator that you can be. Accept help offered by family and friends, but build in time for yourself.

It is a wonderful -- but not always easy -- adventure to be blessed with three. I used to tell myself that since I’d never had one before, I’d never know how much more difficult three would be. Wishing you and your partner much happiness through this process. -- Been There

DEAR BEEN THERE: Thank you for sharing your experiences.

(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.)