Employee wants to move to new department

Employee wants to move to new department

Jun 26, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: Another manager within my firm told me a few weeks ago that she wants me to come work for her full-time. I have been temporarily supporting her because she recently lost her executive assistant, and we work together well. This switch could have me working in the human resources department, which I have been trying to transition into. My current manager is not aware of this potential full-time switch, though, which makes this a delicate situation. I haven’t seen much progress toward my permanent switch to the new team since the first few conversations I had with that manager. Should I bring it up again? Or would that put me in an awkward position with my current manager? – Being Poached DEAR BEING POACHED: Since you have been working for this other manager temporarily, it suggests that your manager is aware of the relationship. You can reach out to the human resources manager to find out the status of the offer. Let that manager know you are interested, but out of respect for your current boss, you would want to talk to them about it before making a move.

DO JUST ONE THING

DO JUST ONE THING

Jun 26, 2025

• It’s time to stop buying tennis balls to play fetch with your dog. Turns out the fuzzy exterior isn’t good for them or the environment: The soft coating is made of plastic, and when its threads are shed from the ball, they become microplastics that can end up in waterways and/or ingested by your dog. Plenty of alternatives are available, but among the best are plastic-free tennis balls, which have the same bounce, shape and feel of regular tennis balls but are totally free of microplastics.

Psychotherapist weighs in on toddler behavior

Psychotherapist weighs in on toddler behavior

Jun 25, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: Retired licensed psychotherapist specializing in children and families here. With regard to “Out-of-Control Toddler,” the parent struggling with a toddler who has started hitting, there is now much empirical evidence to suggest that the “gentle parenting” that your advice reflects is ineffectual, especially for toddlers and especially with regard to hitting others. The goal is not only to extinguish these behaviors but to concurrently teach conscience development, personal accountability and responsibility for one’s actions, which in turn develops empathy for others and aids in emotional regulation.

Who wants to serve in small churches?

Who wants to serve in small churches?

Jun 25, 2025

One of the crucial services the Rev. Tony Marr provides as the leader of the Higher Ministries consulting firm is to connect young pastors – fresh out of seminaries and Bible colleges – with churches that need new leaders.

Daughter loses identity in quest to fit in

Daughter loses identity in quest to fit in

Jun 24, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 12-year-old daughter is going through a phase where she feels like she has to match everything her friends do, what they wear, what they eat, the shows they watch, the hobbies they’re into, etc. She constantly compares herself to them and puts so much pressure on herself to fit in, to the point where she won’t even try something new unless she knows it’s already popular with her friend group. If her friends wear a certain brand, she wants the exact same thing. If they don’t like something, suddenly she doesn’t either, even if she used to love it.

Trump Crime Family is in full control

Trump Crime Family is in full control

Jun 24, 2025

The New Yorker headlines read “Donald Trump’s Politics of Plunder.” The New York Times reports “As Trumps Monetize Presidency, Profits Outstrip Protests.” and The Atlantic calls Trump 2.0 “The Most Corrupt Presidency in American History.”

Realities of move catching up to family

Realities of move catching up to family

Jun 21, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: A couple of months ago, I moved from Spain to the United States with my husband and our daughter. We settled in Los Angeles after we had done what we thought was careful planning. We saved up what felt like a substantial amount of money and assumed it would give us a good cushion while we adjusted and got settled. Reality has hit us much harder than we expected. The cost of living here is far more expensive than we imagined. Rent, groceries, child care, even just basic daily expenses – it’s all adding up so quickly. Our savings are running low much faster than we anticipated, and our salaries aren’t nearly enough to keep up with the lifestyle we’re trying to maintain, even though it’s a modest one. We’re doing our best to stay positive and make it work, but I’m already finding myself questioning whether this move was the right decision. I miss the stability and affordability of life back in Spain, and I’m starting to wonder if moving back is the more responsible choice. How do you know when to keep pushing forward and when to admit that something just isn’t working? – Over Our Heads DEAR OVER OUR HEADS: Assess the situation as calmly as you can. What made you come to the United States in the first place? Family? Sentiment? Whatever it was, is that draw more important than your reality today?

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