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 always read advice columns in newspapers and magazines. I enjoy reading about other people’s dilemmas and problems. I know that may sound weird, but also I learn a lot. Advice columns show me ways of looking at a situation from a different perspective. Anyway, the reason I am writing is that I… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, I am a young mother in her thirties with two young children. This Christmas I noticed only a handful of houses with Christmas lights and decorations. When I was a kid almost every house on my street had lights at Christmas time. I feel bad for my kids that they don’t get… Read more »
Many years ago, I sent my book out to several publishers and all I got was rejection letters. So I put my book away in the drawer and gave up on a dream. Years later I was happy to be writing again when I was chosen to write an advice column. It evolved into my… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, I recently completed first year university and I did alright, but I must learn to manage my time better. I felt very scattered and barely completed my assignments in time. I ended up feeling stressed all the time. It is not that I was partying a lot, I just couldn’t seem to… Read more »
Dear Barb: As Christmas Day is approaching I can feel the tension rising within my family. We rarely get along through the year, and as a result, Christmas get-togethers are not an enjoyable experience. I have tried to find an excuse not to attend the family dinner, but since this is our first year without… Read more »
Dear Barb: I can’t believe Christmas is almost here again! I am a young mother with two kids and a large extended family. Christmas is a big event in our family. I remember growing up and having lots of gifts around the tree. It was nice, but I didn’t have to buy gifts. Now I… Read more »
Dear Barb: I work in an office with five other girls. I get along well with all of my coworkers except one. Tara and I have been working together for 4 years and it has always been a bit of a struggle for us to get along. Tara is domineering and pushy and seems to… Read more »
Dear Barb: I began my first year of college in September. I am about halfway through my first semester, and I’m finding it very difficult. Not just the studies, but financially I am having a hard time budgeting my money. I applied for and got student loans and grants, plus my parents gave me a… Read more »
Dear Barb: I have been in a serious relationship for two years. The problem is, I am beginning to wonder if this is an unhealthy relationship. Most of the time I feel anxious because it seems my boyfriend doesn’t trust me. My mom has noticed a difference in me since Jay and I moved in… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, I am a man in my fifties who recently lost my wife to cancer. We were married for 25 years and have three adult children who are on their own. Our marriage was happy, having all the normal ups and downs that most marriages have. My wife has been gone for almost… Read more »