Dear Eleanor,

My seventh grade daughter has been having a difficult time with her  friendship at school. This year she transferred into Middle school and  the social scene has changed so much. Some of her friends are suddenly very interested in boys and the others seem to be social outcasts. She  misses the girls who used to want to make up plays or or discover art projects. They are more interested in short shorts and walking with the boys up town after school.

Dear Eleanor,

This is the third night that I have made dinner for my family of six and one, two, or three children have made last minute plans. Our mealtime has always been a special ritual that brings us together. I really cherish our time around the dinner table together. I really enjoy cooking and pride myself on good and creative meals. This takes time in the planning, shopping, and cooking process. I find myself getting frustrated with my children who seem to come up with legitimate excuses for last minute practices or meetings.

Dear Eleanor,

I just returned from out East visiting my mother who is very ill with stomach cancer. She had been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and was very weak. I was happy to be there as support for my Mom and also my sister and stepfather. It was very hard to leave knowing that she seems to be getting closer to dying. I needed to get back to my husband and four children. They have been very supportive of my trips out East, but I feel badly being gone so often.

Dear Eleanor,

My six year old son’s pet hamster—Fluffy—died last night. I found Fluffy stiff in his cage after my son was already asleep for the night. My husband moved the cage out to the garage and is planning to go to the pet store as soon as it opens this morning to buy a look-alike before my son notices. I am concerned our son will know it is not Hammy and I would hate for him to feel betrayed by us. Please help.