Dear Lizzie ...

Single Mom Struggles With Daughter Becoming Adult

A single mom doesn't want to strain her relationship with her rebellious daughter.

Dear Lizzie, Single mom here. It’s not easy, but I enjoy my life. What I’m not enjoying is the rebellion of my daughter. She is 17 and a junior in high school. All I have is her and my son, who is 5. Her father is never around, and I have to raise her by myself. We try to get along, but it is hard. We go out together and have “Girls Night,” and for a while, it’s great. But it goes back to the same routine. She is good in school, but I don’t know much about her social life. I wish I did. What can I do to make our relationship better? —Worried Mom, Lansdale   Dear Worried, Every mother and daughter go through this phase in their lives. Your daughter is finally getting her independence. She is almost 18—a legal adult—and she will begin doing …

Dear Lizzie ...

Divorcing Parents Must Keep Normalcy for Sake of Child

Write to 'Dear Lizzie' at dearlizziepatch@gmail.com.

Dear Lizzie, My husband and I have been married for 10 years, and we have a 3-year-old son. We are getting a divorce after months of counseling and remediation. This is what we have decided to do, as it is the best thing for us. We are scared, however, that it may not be the best thing for our son. We are struggling with finding a way that the divorce will not affect our relationship with him. He is too young to understand, and we don’t want our decision to affect him in the future. What do you suggest? – Breaking Up and Broken Down, Hatboro Dear Breaking Up, A decision is never bulletproof, and it isn't guaranteed that your son won’t have an issue when he gets older. The best you can do in your situation is to bring as much normalcy as …

Dear Lizzie ...

Concerned Mother Thinks it Should Be 'Game Over' on Hubby's Hobby

A wife has concerns over husband's video gaming dedication over family life, and one couple can't compromise on children.

Dear Lizzie, My husband and I have been married for five years, and we thought we had figured out where we stand on having children. I am nine years younger than my husband, and we recently brought up the discussion about having children. At 32 years old, I don’t want to have kids at this point in my life. He, however, really wants us to have a baby. I don’t feel ready, and we have argued about this recently, but every time I am adamant about what I want as far as children. What do you think we should do? - Baby Talk, Fort Washington Dear Baby Talk, You really should have discussed this in-depth before you got married. The early 30s is a great time to have a child, but now is the time for you two to discuss when this will happen. Obviously…

Flower Power

It's not too late for a great V-Day bouquet for your loved one

It’s Valentine’s Day – the one day of the year when you don’t want to upset your significant other. There’s still a chance to make it the best. So here’s some local flower shops for that last-minute long-stem rose or bouquet for your Valentine. Chantilly Floral, 29 W. Main St., Lansdale, 215-855-9258 Emily at Chantilly Floral said the place is in stock with roses and all types of flowers. Chantilly Floral is open until 7 p.m. Emily said the store is “real busy,” and then she slammed down the phone. Lansdale Florist, 861 W. Main St., Lansdale, 215-855-3289 Lansdale Florist will be open until 6 p.m. It has arrangements, cut flowers and plenty of roses. “We’re pretty slow right now,” said one employee at lunchtime. “Eventually, we will be …

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Dear Lizzie ...

Grandmother with marriage on mind questions raising boyfriend's children

A mother and grandmother worries about raising the children of her boyfriend once they get married, and a battered girlfriend wonders if she should open the door to her boyfriend

Have a question for "Dear Lizzie ..."? Write to her at dearlizziepatch@gmail.com. Dear Lizzie … I am a 40-year-old woman, mother and grandmother. I have two grown children and a grandchild. The man I have been seeing for nearly four years now wants me to marry him, but I am torn. I don’t want to say no to him, but I’m also not prepared to say yes. The thing is he has a three-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son. I am done raising my children and raising his children is the only thing I’m worried about. I don’t know what to do in this situation.  -- MOTHER THE HELPER, Philadelphia   Dear MOTHER … Before you say OK, and before he pops the question on you, you need to have a conversation about it. If you are comfortable with the man and …

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