Julia Samuel

Dec 2, 2024 | thetimes.com | Julia Samuel

Q. With the holidays approaching, I’m facing the same dilemma every year: My husband feels strongly about us alternating whose family we spend Christmas with every year. I have loved my big family Christmases ever since I was a kid and especially with my parents getting older, I don’t want to ditch them on what used to be our special holiday. I get along fine with his family, but it’s just not the same. I know I have to compromise but I really don’t want to. A.

Nov 4, 2024 | thetimes.com | Julia Samuel

Q. I’m wondering if you’re able to make sense of this for me: I have just turned 50 and my wife is quite a bit younger than me (mid-thirties). She really wants a child and I thought I wanted that too. But since this milestone birthday, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about my own mortality and the fact that, by the time my potential children are off to university, I will be pushing 70. I lost my parents when I was relatively young, and I don’t want my children to go through the same thing.

Jul 9, 2024 | thetimes.com | Julia Samuel

Q. Dear Julia, I feel like I love all of my friends more than they love me. It often goes unnoticed in day-to-day life, but when I need someone I really start to overthink it. Is it fair that I consider myself a better friend than anyone is to me? A. Thank you for this important question. I can see this is painful for you. Asking yourself whether it’s OK that you love your friends more than they love you goes to the heart of who you are as a friend.

Jun 3, 2024 | thetimes.co.uk | Julia Samuel

Q. I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD and it hasn’t come as a surprise. I have always been a daydreamer, easily distracted, impulsive and generally quite chaotic. I managed it well in my twenties but since becoming a mother I have had to deal with the added pressure of parenting, constant fatigue and all the things I have to remember, and I believe it is important for the people around me to understand why I am this way. My husband’s parents make me feel embarrassed about this.

May 6, 2024 | thetimes.co.uk | Julia Samuel

Q. Dear Julia, my wife and I have been married for 20 years and have two daughters. About three years ago my wife was made redundant and decided she wanted a change. For the past three years she has been trying to make a career in a new industry with limited success. We have a mortgage and other significant financial commitments and it has been extremely stressful trying to meet these on my salary alone.