DEAR ABBY: I am experiencing significant anxiety over losing another co-worker. I am happy for her, but I’m also sad because all her responsibilities will again be dumped on me.
Our department consists of three employees. I’m the lowest-paid administrative assistant in the office and division. Our department is required by federal law to be trained on several software applications to support our students. However, our director refuses to complete her training, which means she has lost all access to the applications.
Her main concern is doing things she was not hired to do, such as homecoming, promoting Greek life to get students to pledge, etc. I am tempted to quit because I can’t handle doing my job as well as someone else’s. Unfortunately, I can’t do that because of bills and student loan debt. On top of this, I am trying to deal with the death of my favorite uncle.
I am not myself right now, nor am I in the mood to train someone new who will be earning more than me again. What advice can you give? — ANXIOUS IN THE EAST
DEAR ANXIOUS: The time to talk to your employer about a raise is now. That you have been forced to assume the workload of two employees and be paid less than the one who has left is unfair. It shouldn’t happen again. Your employer needs you and likely can’t afford to lose you. However, if your request is refused, be smart. Start searching out other job opportunities that may pay better. (This may have been what led to your former co-worker leaving.)
DEAR ABBY: I am a mom of a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old, and I’m struggling. No one can prepare you for how hard it is to raise a child, let alone TWO. More than two children is beyond the boundary of my mental capacity.
I reached out to a friend who is a recent first-time mom and to a mom who has children of ages similar to my own to ask for general advice and to check in. Both of their responses were, shockingly, “Oh, things are fine here! Hope you’re doing well.”
Abby, I can’t be the only individual at my wits’ end. How do I elicit a more honest update from them? I’d love to have a more candid conversation beyond, “Oh, she screams, so I have her in a sling most of the time.” How do I probe their true feelings without overstepping? — MISERY LOVES COMPANY
DEAR MISERY: It is entirely possible that the women you contacted WERE giving you an honest update. Have you always felt this way about motherhood? It may be time to talk to your OB/GYN about the extent to which you are feeling overwhelmed, because some of it may be hormonal.
I do not recommend further “probing” the feelings of the women you contacted. You might have better luck if you talk with experienced female relatives who may be able to provide you the answers you are seeking.
DEAR ABBY: As a lonely, mixed-up teenager in the 1980s, I developed a huge crush on a disc jockey at a local radio station. I would call him at least once a night when he was on the air, and he was kind enough to take my calls and speak with me about whatever I wanted to babble about as long as he was able.
My parents hired him to DJ my Sweet Sixteen party and, even though fewer than a dozen kids showed up, he was professional and gracious throughout the whole ordeal. The highlight of the party was when he danced with me after he started playing “16 Candles.” I followed him to radio station events and was basically a general pest. He was nothing but kind, understanding and patient.
Now in my mid-50s, I realize I had some undiagnosed mental and social issues throughout my childhood that weren’t discussed and dealt with at the time, and I regret much of my behavior back then. The DJ is still involved in radio. He has since married and had children and, while I admit I was a tad jealous when I heard about it, I have grown to be happy for him and his family. He still holds a special place in my heart for being so kind and patient with me at such a weird time in my life.
I never had boyfriends in high school or college. I married the first guy who took a serious interest in me, but he left after seven years and two kids. I decided I wanted to reach out to the DJ with a letter, thanking him for being there for me when I needed someone to talk to, for putting up with me for so long and for understanding me even when I didn’t understand myself.
I am NOT looking to interfere in his happy life, but I don’t want to wait until his funeral to let him know how grateful I am and how much he meant to me. Should I write and send the letter? — DJ SAVED MY LIFE
DEAR SAVED: That the disc jockey made such a profound difference in your life when you desperately needed support is wonderful. I think it would please him to receive an expression of gratitude from you all these many years later. By all means, send the letter.
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