Dear John,

Any tips on getting on with family after you haven't seen your children for a few years? Things are a little tense.
--FAKE NAME

DEAR FAKE NAME: It sounds like there are old resentments and grudges that are keeping you and your family from fully connecting with each other. I know what that's like. I find it's best to try and reconnect in small, careful doses where there isn't so much pressure on everyone to get things back to Norman Rockwell-esque form. Instead of going for a large gathering with all your children, try meeting them one on one first, in a neutral setting where you can both be comfortable such as a cafe or a pub. Make the meetings short and try not to bring up past issues, no matter how tempting it might be. Show an interest in what your children have been doing since your estrangement, catch up on what they consider important to them, and try not to stray into nostalgia. This is about forging new bonds, not repairing old ones.

--


Dear John,

nothing's been the same since our only kid moved out of town. While the new and improved privacy is nice, we fight more than usual. It's like he's deliberately trying to piss me off. I'm definitely not putting up with this shit for eternity.

So, you have any ideas for tracking someone down in all of Hell?
--EMPTY NESTER

DEAR EMPTY NESTER: I'm not quite sure how moving to a different city works here but I've been told that every so often the postal service actually works, especially if you bribe your local mailman...demon. Maildemon? Anyway, this of course only works if your offspring left a forwarding address, which does not seem to be the case. Information on non-residents of Little Hades is very difficult to find. Your best bet might be to cozy up to a Reaper or a Hunter, as they seem to have more leeway than most citizens when it comes to travel between places. Otherwise, you might want to just wait for word for now, while reassuring your partner that your child is in a better place. Use this time to strengthen your relationship with your partner to try and fill the gap. Remember, you still have each other.

Post your letters to The Daily Pitchfork or email me at dearjohnhelp@tdp.hellmail.com


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