DEAR HARRIETTE: My 9-year-old daughter has dyslexia; it has been difficult for her academically. Every night, she cries when she has to do her reading homework because she keeps getting words mixed up. I’ve tried to get her extra help by taking her to a dyslexia learning center, but she cries when she has to go there as well. She tells me it makes her feel “stupid” and different from the other kids.

I do my best to encourage her and remind her that she’s smart and capable, but nothing I say seems to stick. Lately, she’s started saying she hates school and worries that she’ll never be good at reading. She’s even begun comparing herself to her classmates and asking why learning seems so easy for everyone else. I’m torn between wanting to push her to keep getting the support she needs and worrying that I’m making things worse by forcing her into situations that cause her so much distress. How can I help my daughter build confidence and learn to cope with her dyslexia without making her feel overwhelmed or ashamed? -- Dealing With Dyslexia

DEAR DEALING WITH DYSLEXIA: Your local public school system should offer specialized programming and support for your daughter. Additionally, your daughter may need the resources of a specialized school to cultivate her abilities while in the company of other students who are learning to manage their challenges. If her current school is not properly equipped, you can research specialized schools in your area -- even if they are private schools -- and petition the local school system to pay for her to go there. It may take a large effort, but you may be able to get her the support she needs at no extra expense.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I quit my job to chase my entrepreneurial dream of owning a bakery. It took me 20 years to save up and to get the courage to quit my stable 9-to-5 job. I’ve been open about a year, and my bakery is failing. Despite my best efforts, I’m barely breaking even, and some months I’m losing money. I work long hours, often seven days a week, and I’ve poured not only my savings but my heart into this business. I believe in my product, and the customers I do have are loyal, but there just aren’t enough of them to keep the doors open comfortably. What makes this even harder is the fear of admitting defeat. My family and friends were so proud of me for finally taking this leap, and I feel embarrassed at the thought of telling them that things aren’t working out. I don’t know whether I should keep pushing and hope things turn around or accept that this dream may not be sustainable and walk away before I lose everything. How do I know when it’s time to hold on or when it’s time to let go? -- Life of an Entrepreneur

DEAR LIFE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR: Most entrepreneurs have ebbs and flows in their cash flow. Before you give up, go to your local small business administration office or business council. Often, you can get free business support and even referrals for emergency funds. Actively seek out help before you give up.

(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 mother passed away earlier this year, and I’m still sad. She lived as long as she could with a smile on her face most times. I recently looked at photos of her over the past couple of years, and it broke my heart; she was so frail. We always thought she held on just to be able to be with us, her children and families and friends, but it was so hard for her. I’m feeling guilty for wanting her to live as long as she did. It feels selfish now. I also don’t want to live that long myself. If I’m ever just hanging out, I wish I could just die. Is that a horrible thought? I don’t feel depressed, just realistic. I fear that if I tell my family, it will make them worry about me. That’s not the point. How should I deal with these feelings? -- Living in Grief

DEAR LIVING IN GRIEF: Now is a good time to get some help. Grief counselors exist for the purpose of helping people work through their varied emotions during times of loss. Talk to someone who can help you process all that you have experienced with your mother’s loss. As you talk, be sure to address how you are feeling about yourself. If possible, do things today to protect yourself in your later years so that you have the resources and support that you need -- if you live that long.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I went to a class reunion recently, and it was so weird. Everybody was acting like we all looked the same and were the same, but it was anything but true. It was our 25th anniversary, and we all seemed older. Some looked healthy. Others were frail. Some had aged dramatically. Some seemed only a few years older. Some were married, some single, some divorced, some widowed. I didn’t want to buy into all of the evaluations, but they were relentless. I did my best just to greet people and be together, but it was hard. I want to follow up with some of the people to touch base, but I don’t want to go back to those comparisons. How can I get some of my former classmates to be in the present moment? -- No More Nostalgia

DEAR NO MORE NOSTALGIA: Review your experience and pick out the people you would like to see again. If you have their contact information, reach out to get together. Have it in your mind that you will be in the present with them. Choose something you want to talk about that can bridge past and present. Think of things you would like to discuss. Start off easy. If they slip back in the past, remind them of current events to bring them forward. If they loathe how they look now compared to 25 years ago, remind them that they are still standing and living. You should all be grateful for where you are. If there’s work to be done -- health or otherwise -- go for it.

(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 friend of mine constantly preaches to us about the importance of showing support to each other through good times, bad times, startup businesses, financial hardship, graduations, milestones and everything else under the sun. Over the years, though, it seems to be getting harder for her to practice what she preaches.

Recently, I’ve been building out a community-based organization that hosts free mixers for young professionals who need help socializing. This friend rarely comes to any of my events, and when she does, she comes late or spends her time criticizing or making suggestions. I’m not opposed to suggestions, but it seems inappropriate to make these comments during the event. It feels like she’s not happy to be there for me on the few occasions when she does make an appearance. I want to tell her that she doesn’t need to attend any of my events in the future if she does not enjoy being there, but I fear that may come off harshly. How do I remind her of her own standards of “support” without ruining our friendship? -- No Support

DEAR NO SUPPORT: Describe to your friend how she behaves when she comes to your events -- wholly unsupportive. Tell her how surprised you are, given what she considers her “brand” to be. Ask her to stop coming if she can’t be more constructive with her criticism. Her presence has not been helpful.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am getting married to the love of my life this summer, and this week I was looking for wedding dresses. I went with my mom and soon-to-be mother-in-law, two people who are opinionated and traditional, which made shopping for the right dress a nightmare. I am an untraditional person, and I wanted a color other than white, which made both moms lose their minds. From the moment I mentioned that I didn’t see myself in a white gown, the tension in the room was obvious. Every dress I liked was met with criticism, and instead of feeling excited and supported during what I imagined would be a special bonding experience, I felt judged. I understand that weddings can bring up strong emotions and expectations, especially for mothers who have long-held ideas about what this day should look like. Still, it hurt that neither of them seemed interested in what made me feel confident and happy. This wedding is meant to celebrate my partner and me, yet I felt like my preferences were being treated as wrong or inappropriate simply because they didn’t align with tradition. We never decided on a dress that day, and I’ve been wondering if I should give in and wear a white dress or wear a different color and be happy? -- Not in Sync

DEAR NOT IN SYNC: Wedding stylists suggest that when you go to try on dresses, you take people with you who are good listeners, who are thinking about you and not themselves, and who give you space to think. Clearly, that didn’t happen.

You can wear whatever color dress you decide. Next time you go to the bridal salon, take someone supportive with you. Work on managing the moms as a separate issue. This will be a lifetime job. Stick to your beliefs; this is your wedding, after all.

(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.)