99.9 the Q

01/12/2026

Rachel in Plymouth shares:
Recently I got a thoughtful text message from my sister saying she wished we were closer. She asked if there was ever anything she’s done in the past or recently that made me feel uncomfortable. In the text she assured me it was safe to share what I was feeling. I want to be clear: I never would have volunteered this information if she hadn’t asked. I was honestly comfortable with where our relationship was, it wasn’t especially deep, but it felt peaceful and workable to me. Because she asked directly, I answered honestly picking just one of the things that have bothered me over the years. I wasn’t trying to criticize her — I believed she truly wanted to understand. Now she’s hurt and offended, and I feel like I’ve done something wrong, even though I answered a question she invited me to answer.
So now I’m stuck. Do I apologize for being honest even though I wouldn’t have brought any of this up if she hadn’t asked? Or do I leave it alone and accept that honesty sometimes creates discomfort, even when it’s requested?

01/12/2026

Talking this afternoon about...

01/12/2026

01/11/2026

Mona in Plymouth writes:
My sister got pregnant before me, and I was really happy when I found out I was pregnant a few months later. It was going to be exciting to have daughters the same age!

She had her baby last week and used the girl’s name I’ve loved forever. Same name, same spelling. Everyone in our family has always known it was my name.

When I told her I was hurt, she said, “No one owns names,” and now my parents are telling me to pick something else to avoid confusion.

Can you call dibs on a baby name? And am I right to feel blindsided and upset?

01/09/2026

Coming up @4:05...

01/08/2026

Mackenzie in Plymouth writes:
I’ve been dating my boyfriend for almost two years. I’m 33, own my home, have a solid job, and feel like my life is pretty together. He’s 40, genuinely nice, and treats me well but that’s where things get complicated.

He still lives with his parents, doesn’t have a job, benefits, a regular schedule, and a legal vehicle. He spends most days and nights at my house, even when I’m not home. I’ve tried to be understanding, but the bigger issue is that he shows no real motivation to change.

I’ve been clear: if he wants a future with me, he needs to step up when it comes to work, independence, and basic adult responsibilities. Even after those conversations, nothing has changed. He is really good to me and a decent person so I’m torn. Do I end things so I can find someone who’s more of an equal or in hopes that it finally pushes him to take responsibility? Or do I stayafter two years of no real progress?

01/08/2026

Talking today about...

01/07/2026

Sophia is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Her 14-year-old daughter no longer wants to visit her dad, feeling ignored and uncomfortable around his new girlfriend. Sophia worries that if she stops the visits, their bond will be permanently broken, but if she forces them, her daughter will be miserable.
What’s the right move? Does she insist on the visits to maintain the parental bond, or should she respect her daughter’s feelings and let her pull back?

01/06/2026

Megan, is trying to raise her kids with a gentle, compassionate approach — fewer punishments, more talking things through, keeping things calm.But her Mother in Law Laura babysits like she’s running a boot camp. She takes away devices, sends the kids to time-out for tiny things, makes them finish every bite of food, and says she’s “teaching them respect.”Megan says the kids come home anxious and upset, and she ends up spending hours undoing the stress. When she asks Laura to follow her parenting style, Laura snaps back that she’s doing her a favor by babysitting and “someone has to give them structure.” She says Mimi’s house Mimi’s rules. Now Megan is wondering: Is it fair to expect Laura to follow her gentle parenting style when watching the kids? Or does the babysitter get to set their own rules