I live ten minutes away from my sickly parents. They are declining fast. My siblings assume that I’ll continue to take on all the responsibilities of caring for them. I’m the youngest in a family of eight. There’s a gap of nine years between me and my next-youngest sibling. I’m twenty-four years old, and cooking meals for them, cleaning, and doing the yard work (as best I can) is not how I expected to be spending my twenties. I am dreading the coming winter. I don’t even know how to start the snow blower, much less run it.

Two of my sisters and one brother all live within an hour of my parents.

Dear The Tank,
I’m a big believer in family, but I have to admit that my husband’s sister is starting to make me lose my faith! Whenever I’m around her, she’s so critical. It’s like she thinks everything I do is part of some long-term Machiavellian plot to disinherit her. I just want to have a nice time with my family, but I can’t stand her constant sniping and insinuation. What can I do?

I am a highly visible public official. I have throughout my career taken great satisfaction in improving the lives of others.

Unfortunately, lately some mistakes from my past have come to light, and I’m afraid my (understandably) emotional response to this has caused something of a furor in my community. I feel like everything has gotten out of control. My life is at the mercy of the media’s worst, most sensationalistic instincts.

I feel like those who used to respect me and thank me are more likely to spit at me today. How can I get back their esteem, so I can again do my work?

Dear The Tank, I work in private wealth management. I’m a managing director at my firm, where I easily make a double-figure multiple of the median American household income. I should feel good, right? I’m on top of the pyramid, right? But my job takes a lot out of me. First of all, it’s always […]