DEAR HARRIETTE: I think my son may be harboring some resentment toward me. We have a strained relationship, and even though I want us to be closer, the distance seems intentional on his end. If I try asking questions, he gets defensive or gives short responses only, and sometimes it turns into an argument or disagreement. On more than one occasion, he’s referenced times in the past where I might’ve overstepped a boundary, spoken up on his behalf or been overbearing. How can I move forward with my son if he won’t forgive me for the past? I wish he could realize that those things I did were just a mama bear looking out for her cub. -- Boy Mom

DEAR BOY MOM: Ask your son if the two of you can have a meeting where he shares all of his memories and concerns about your relationship. Ask him to let it all out so that you can hear whatever is on his heart. Do your best not to interrupt him. Clearly, things have occurred that have hurt his feelings. He needs to be able to say them all without backlash from you.

Apologize for whatever he mentions. Let him know that you never meant to hurt his feelings and that what you did was your way of being his mom and trying to protect him. Admit that you know you aren’t perfect and that you are sorry if anything you did -- whether you continue to think it was justified -- hurt him.

Ask him if he is willing to put the past aside and work to build a new relationship with you now. Remind him that you love him and want nothing more than to be close to him. Be patient and ready to take this next step together. Be mindful of not taking over. Become a good listener.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a close friend who has been out of work for two years. I have helped him as much as I can, including fronting him rent money so that he doesn’t go homeless and giving him carfare to go to job interviews. I love him and want to support him, but so far, he hasn’t gotten a job. I have to support my family; I can’t take on his financial burdens much longer. How do I address this with someone who is obviously in dire need? Part of me can’t help but feel that I’m enabling him. Yes, it’s hard to find work, but he knows I’m not going to let him be out on the streets. -- Broken Lifeline

DEAR BROKEN LIFELINE: Sit down with your friend and give him a timeline. Express how much you love him and want to have his back as you have had for the past two years, but you can no longer support him financially. Suggest that he look at social services to get short-term government support so he can buy food and keep his home. Give him a deadline at which point you can no longer give him money. This is difficult, I know, but he has to figure out his own 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.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: For many years, I worked in corporate America with a strict 9 to 5, Monday through Friday schedule. Recently, I made the switch -- as the economy demanded -- to working freelance. I now work in media and do a lot of event-based work. It is way more fast-paced, and my schedule is completely different every single day. I quite enjoy the change, but my boyfriend, not so much. We’ve lived together for the past three years, so he’s used to the old version of me. He expressed that he feels neglected and that he believes I put my work before him. He may be right. I want to be more present, but I feel so alive with this new career path that I really have not prioritized balance. How can I continue to excel in my career and relationship at the same time without compromising one or the other? -- Workaholic

DEAR WORKAHOLIC: Sit down with your boyfriend and remind him that your life has changed a lot and you are discovering what your new rhythm will be. Tell him the truth: You enjoy the new pace and energy of your work, while at the same time, you are not intentionally neglecting him.

Do your best to strike a balance. Carve out time daily to chat with him, to eat together whenever possible and to have a date at least once a week. Establish new patterns that prioritize the two of you even as you continue to figure out how to grow in your new work life.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in an apartment with very thin walls, and my neighbor has recently started practicing the trumpet every night at 10 p.m. I completely understand and appreciate that he is passionate about his music and wants to improve, but the sound travels so clearly into my apartment that it’s becoming impossible for me to fall asleep. I’ve tried wearing earplugs and playing white noise, but nothing seems to block it completely. I don’t want to be the person who stifles his artistic pursuits, but I need to maintain my own well-being and get enough sleep. I’m worried that if I bring it up, I might come across as unreasonable or annoying. It’s starting to affect my mood and productivity the next day, and I feel increasingly frustrated each night. I just wish there were a way for both of us to enjoy our space without conflict or discomfort. How can I approach my neighbor respectfully about the situation, or is there a compromise that could allow both of us to exist peacefully? I feel torn between being understanding and protecting my own comfort, and I don’t know where to draw the line. -- Noise Control

DEAR NOISE CONTROL: Before calling your landlord, reach out to your neighbor. Let him know you see that he has started a new hobby, and while it sounds good, his playing is starting too late for your health. Ask him if he can refine his schedule so that you can go to sleep at a decent hour.

Check to see if there are noise ordinances in your town that require reduced noise at a particular time. In many places, that time is 10 p.m. If he is unwilling to budge, engage your super or landlord.

(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 joined a local photography club because I wanted to meet other photographers, improve my skills and share my work in a supportive environment. Most members are great, but one person has started posting some of my photos online without my permission and giving themselves credit as the photographer. It makes me feel frustrated and disrespected, and I’m not sure how to handle it without creating conflict within the group. I don’t want to come across as overly sensitive, but I want my work to be respected and credited properly. I’ve tried subtly reminding him or commenting on posts, but it hasn’t seemed to stop the behavior. I feel anxious every time I bring new photos to the club, wondering if they’ll appear online under someone else’s name. It’s starting to make me dread sharing my work, which is supposed to be one of the main joys of joining the club. I also feel like my creativity and effort aren’t being valued, which is really discouraging.

How can I approach this situation in a way that protects my work, maintains my relationships within the club and sets clear boundaries? -- Crossing the Line

DEAR CROSSING THE LINE: Now is the time to be direct. Posting your work as their own is plagiarism, plain and simple. Go to the group at the next meeting and complain publicly. Ask how it could have happened that the art you brought to show the group would be posted by someone else without crediting you. Do not bring any more work to the group until this issue is handled. Address it head-on.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate recently asked me if her boyfriend could stay at our apartment for a whole week, and I agreed at the time because I didn’t want to make things awkward or seem unaccommodating. Now that I’ve thought it over, I’m really regretting saying yes. I’m worried about having someone in our shared space for that long, and I’m not sure I’m comfortable with it. I also realize that our apartment is small, and having a third person around constantly could disrupt my routines, privacy and sense of personal space.

I feel stuck because I already said yes, but I also don’t want to feel trapped or stressed during the week. I’m anxious about bringing it up now because I don’t want my roommate to be upset or feel like I’m being unreasonable. At the same time, I need to prioritize my own comfort and mental well-being. Can I go back and change my answer, or would that be unfair to my roommate? How can I approach this in a way that respects both my boundaries and our friendship? -- Third Wheel

DEAR THIRD WHEEL: Tell your roommate you need to have a talk with her. Explain that while you agreed for her boyfriend to stay for a week at your place, it is making you uncomfortable. You are concerned about being cramped. While it may not work to rescind the invitation, make it clear that you need him to respect your privacy, be as neat as possible and not stay longer than agreed.

Next time, take a breath and assess a request carefully before agreeing to it.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)