Husband Wants To Take Monthlong Fishing Trip
DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband wants to go on a fishing trip for a month up in Canada. I told him no, but he keeps pressing the matter. He works hard and hasn't taken a day off in more than two years, so part of me wants to say yes to him. However, we have two teenage daughters who are heavily involved in sports at high school, and I don't think I can balance keeping up with their sports and going to my day job without my husband's help for a whole month.
What's been most frustrating is that he doesn't seem to fully hear my concerns. When I explain why I'm uncomfortable with him going, he brushes it off or says I'll "figure it out" and that it's "just one month." It makes me feel like the weight of our household and family life is being minimized, and that my time and responsibilities aren't being taken as seriously as his desire to take this trip. I don't want to be the reason my husband never gets to do something he loves, but I also don't think it's fair for me to carry everything on my own for that long. What should I say to him to have him see things from my point of view? -- What About Me
DEAR WHAT ABOUT ME: Ask your husband to help you figure it out. Is there someone in your life who can be a support with your daughters during his absence? Can you hire someone to fill in the gaps? Get him to think about it and contribute to the solution with ideas and dollars.
Alternatively, suggest he compromise on a shorter trip. He'd still be able to catch lots of fish in a week.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter got an internship at a well-known tech company. However, she doesn't want to take the offer because it's not based in Los Angeles, which is where she really wants to live. Instead, she would be based in Austin, Texas. I am urging her to take the internship because the job market is tight and she may not get another opportunity like this within the next few months. She has worked hard to get to this point, and I know how competitive opportunities like this can be, especially in the tech industry. That's part of why I feel so strongly about her accepting it.
From my perspective, this internship could be a stepping stone to something bigger, whether that's a full-time role, valuable connections or simply experience that will make her more competitive in the future. At the same time, she keeps telling me that location is important to her. She has always envisioned herself living in Los Angeles and feels like starting her career somewhere else would be a step in the wrong direction. She worries that if she goes to Austin, she'll get stuck there or fall into a path that doesn't align with what she truly wants in the long term. How do I convince her otherwise? -- Next Step
DEAR NEXT STEP: Tell your daughter that most people in corporate life move around as they grow their careers. Los Angeles is a top market. It may take a few stops in different cities before she's ready to get a job and have an impact in LA. Suggest strategy and patience -- and talking to an adviser in her field for perspective.
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(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
Copyright 2026, Harriette Cole
COPYRIGHT 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Andrews McMeel Syndication.
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