{"id":1830,"date":"2026-06-11T09:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=1830"},"modified":"2026-06-11T09:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:08:15","slug":"harriette-cole-im-being-blamed-for-a-childs-broken-arm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=1830","title":{"rendered":"Harriette Cole: I’m being blamed for a child’s broken arm"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DEAR HARRIETTE<\/strong>: My niece broke her arm while I was watching her, and now my sister said that she doesn\u2019t trust me to babysit her anymore.<\/p>\n

Read more Miss Manners: I got the newspaper to correct this woman\u2019s obituary, and her daughter is furious<\/a><\/p>\n

I feel horrible about how it went down, and I feel as if it wasn\u2019t for a lack of care. We were at the playground, and my niece was on the monkey bars, which she is very good at. She often does a lot of tricks on them because she is a gymnast. Unfortunately, her hand slipped and she fell off.<\/p>\n

I immediately went to help her and brought her to the emergency room when I saw something was definitely wrong with her arm. I stayed with her the entire time at the hospital and felt awful seeing her scared and in pain.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, the doctors said she is going to heal fine, but I have been struggling emotionally ever since.<\/p>\n

I completely understand why my sister was upset and protective, but she made comments about how she \u201ccan\u2019t trust me\u201d with her daughter anymore, and that really crushed me. I love my niece dearly and have always tried to be a responsible and caring aunt.<\/p>\n

How do I make my sister trust me again with my niece?<\/p>\n

\u2014 Broken Trust<\/em><\/p>\n

DEAR BROKEN TRUST<\/strong>: Give your sister time. She is upset about her daughter\u2019s accident. Naturally, she blames you.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Bite your tongue. Let her go through her emotions. When she has settled, apologize again.<\/p>\n

Remind her of how much you love her and your niece, and offer to watch your niece again when needed. Allow time to heal this wound.<\/p>\n

DEAR HARRIETTE:<\/strong> I got out of a five-year relationship eight months ago and finally felt like I was ready to get back out there.<\/p>\n

Read more Dear Abby: I\u2019m a good mom, and my daughter turned on me<\/a><\/p>\n

I signed up for a dating app and matched with a guy. We talked for about a week and decided to meet up. However, he wasn\u2019t responsive the day of the date. I checked in multiple times, but after not hearing back, I knew he was ghosting me and that the date was off.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

This felt like a big setback for me as my last relationship really affected my confidence, and I spent months trying to heal and convince myself that I was worthy of love and companionship. I finally worked up the courage to go on this date, only to end up feeling rejected before it even happened.<\/p>\n

I always feel so unwanted when it comes to romantic relationships, and it leaves me feeling empty. I watch as my friends and family members have found partners who do anything for them and are so deeply in love with them.<\/p>\n

I know ghosting is common these days, but I can\u2019t help but take it personally. I feel embarrassed for getting excited and telling my friends about the date beforehand.<\/p>\n

How do I stop feeling this need to seek romantic validation and just be content with loving myself?<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ghosted<\/em><\/p>\n

DEAR GHOSTED:<\/strong> Know that his behavior is common even though it is cruel. Chalk it up to a bad match, and lick your wounds.<\/p>\n

Next time, be measured. If it happens, observe him without being too excited. You can even talk to a date about the mishaps of app dating to see his perspective. Bottom line: Do not take it personally.<\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more At World Cup stadiums, there will be zero tolerance for drones because of the threat they pose<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Harriette Cole: My niece is usually very good on the monkey bars. 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