"How do I move past this pattern? I know that awareness of the issue isn’t enough, but I’m not sure what to do next."

A writer was feeling envious after their husband was praised by family members for their writing. During a recent family visit, I spent a lot of time hearing about grown kids' accomplishments. I asked questions and was a good listener. At one point, my husband read a story he'd written, and the family praised his efforts to the moon.

By letting your family know that you’d like to be invited, you give them – and yourselves – a chance to make a new tradition. Dear Eric: Regarding “Socially Perplexed,” the couple who always initiated plans with friends but didn’t receive invites from said friends — perhaps the other couples are introverts.

One of his half-siblings is getting married. Husband says he needs support to be around his own family for this “can’t miss occasion.”

I quite literally had to ask if security would be present because of all the bad blood that will be in the same room.