I'm having a really hard time getting over a broken heart and betrayal (after a five and a half year relationship and engagement). Any tips how to do this? Maybe other readers can respond to this too?

Lonely Soul.

Trust me, everyone who's faced any rejection of any kind, has felt some of the hurt/humiliation you now feel, so hopefully, many readers will respond.

Though my advice may seem general, it's the way most people eventually come through this experience to move forward:

1) Look after you, in as healthy ways as possible, through fitness, good nutrition, avoiding excesses of partying, drinking, etc., which, rather than end the pain, often create more problems.

2) Be with people you like, and avoid those who probe, make judgments, or offer extreme advice such as major changes you're not ready to handle.

3) Allow yourself a grieving period - vent, cry, and feel angry. And talk about it only with those who care about you. Then get out of your cocoon and slowly involve yourself in socializing, and activities you enjoy.

4) If your emotional pain persists at the same level after six months of restorative efforts, see a therapist. The underlying root may come from past hurts you need to work through. Good luck. We'll both await receiving more tips!

How do you cope with an in-law who could be a possible child predator?

I don't suspect anything regarding my daughter, as he'll never be left alone with her. My suspicions aren't based on his actions but rather on information from his own family.

Though the issue arose years ago, he was never confronted. They've all chosen to ignore it. But he's around my child regularly.

How am I supposed to welcome this person into my home and be kind and sociable when he makes my skin crawl?

Furious and Terrified

You need facts. Though child abuse of any kind should be reported even if there's only a suspicion, years later you need to know why the family had those beliefs about him.

Meanwhile, you're correct to keep him from being alone with your daughter. But recognize that, if you don't know anything more than this vague family secret, the truth could hold other possibilities, such as someone else being guilty. Proceed carefully, but of course, protect your daughter above all else.

I've had a crush on a co-worker for two months. We laugh together all the time and get along really well. Recently, we finally got together outside of work and had a blast. I know he likes me too. Everyone I work with says we'd be a great couple and they can tell that he has serious feelings for me.

I've had bad luck with dating over the past few years. I finally feel I've met someone I can connect with and possibly build a serious relationship with.

But, he's been seeing another woman we work with who's much, much older than him. I don't think they're serious, but I can't help feeling I'm wasting my time.

Troubled

Read your own lips: He's seeing another woman. That means he's attached, taken, and only a co-worker/friend who enjoys your company occasionally. If he had serious feelings for you, he'd express them, break off with the other woman, and ask you out.

These are realities. Stop the fantasy in your head, and stop discussing it with other people at work who are simply enjoying the show, but won't, like you, be hurt if it doesn't end happily.

FEEDBACK Regarding the bride whose alcoholic dad and uncle would likely attend her wedding drunk (May 18):

Reader - "I'm 70, an alcoholic who hasn't had a drink for 40 years.

"I disagree with your advice that she have other relatives monitor them and take them home after the ceremony, or when necessary.

"Why not say the same for the first baby christening when they'll also show up drunk?

"She should tell her dad that he's not to come to the wedding, because she wants to be happy on this special day. The whole family is enabling dad to be a drunk."

You missed one important point in her letter.... she wanted her father to be there, and her uncle too. She was not looking for a solution to their addiction in time for this event... though you're correct that the family should try to encourage one, even it means some tough love messages.