Barbara Godin is a graduate of Athabasca University. She writes the “”Dear Barb” and the “Women of Interest” columns. As well, Barb has written many personal interest stories and enjoys connecting with others through her writing. She has been writing for The Voice since 2003.
If you enjoy reading Dear Barb, you can also purchase her curated collection, Dear Barb: Answers to Everyday Questions at her website, http://www.barbgodin.com.
Dear Barb: I recently began working in a medical office. It is not a large office; 10 women and two men work here. When I started, I really liked the people and the atmosphere, however things have changed. I felt so comfortable that I shared a lot of personal details with some of the girls,… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, I am 16 years old and still living with my parents, but they are driving me crazy. They won’t let me do anything. My friends go out to concerts and stay out overnight and their parents don’t say anything to them. I really want to move out and live on my own. … Read more »
Dear Barb: I am a woman in my mid forties. When I was younger, I seemed to have a lot more friends than I have now, and the friends that I do have I am not that close with. I remember when I was a teenager my friends were my lifeline. We shared everything. Life… Read more »
Dear Barb: My son has just moved away to university. He is a six-hour drive from home, so it’s not that easy to hop in the car and visit. He’s always been a good kid and did well in school and never caused his father and me any problems. However, I noticed a change in… Read more »
Dear Barb: I just landed an awesome job with a big corporation. My problem is that I’m not sure of the proper etiquette at work or even at social events. I have been raised on a farm and I am not familiar with many of the protocols required in business. Could you make a few… Read more »
Dear Barb: My husband and I have been together for 12 years and it seems like we are either bored with each other or taking each other for granted. We don’t seem to take the time to talk anymore, we just assume the other person is happy and will do what we expect them to. … Read more »
Dear Barb: I hope you can help me with my problem. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family, where everyone was arguing, fighting, not speaking for years, holding grudges, the whole gambit. About 20 years ago I decided to try to change things and bring my family together. Initially it seemed some of the… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, my boyfriend and I have been dating for four years and we moved in together three months ago. We got along great while we were dating, but not so much now. We seem to argue a lot more about finances—I am a saver and he is a spender. When we were dating… Read more »
Dear Barb: My boyfriend and I have been dating for four months. We get along great and have lots of common interests. I was even thinking he may be the one for me. All that changed last week when we learned his ex-girlfriend is two months pregnant and he is the father. I was devastated… Read more »
Dear Barb: My sister-in-law has just been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and only has weeks left to live. The dilemma I am having is whether I should try to see her before she passes. She has always lived a couple of hours away and has not been close to her family. My husband—her… Read more »