Dear Nicola, I'm a single mum but my brothers still expect me to solely care for my elderly parents

Republishing an oldie but a goodie

Today’s newsletter is a little different from the last few. My baby is poorly so I have had my hands full and my brain capacity is slightly diminished by the sleep deprivation. But the timing has worked out well as I wanted to re-share one of my agony aunt columns, which are special editions of this newsletter that only go out to paying subscribers, to give those who aren’t subscribed an idea of what they are like.

It’s also nice to republish this one in particular as I commissioned its writer – the lovely Lorna Harris – especially to reply to the letter. I know it’s something many readers of this newsletter either are currently experiencing or are worrying about facing in the future. I also think the person writing in raises such an interesting point about gender roles and how even with a feminist mother, she and her siblings still slipped into the stereotypes. I hope you find Lorna’s response comforting.

I’m going to turn back on the option to become a paying subscriber later in the…