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 have been reading your column for a while, hoping I would see my situation in one of the questions, but I haven’t yet. I am in my early twenties and just finished my second year of university. This year my roommates were both guys. I was a little hesitant to move in… Read more »
Dear Barb: I just got married to a wonderful guy. Before we got married we had discussed that I would not change my name to his and he was okay with it, but now he’s changed his mind. He thinks I should take his name and because I don’t want to he feels I am… Read more »
Dear Barb: I have been dating this amazing guy for about four months. We get along really well and rarely argue. We have a lot in common and I could see having a life with him, except for one thing, his two-year-old daughter! She lives with her mother, but spends every other weekend with Brian…. Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi, I am in my thirties and most of my friends are around my age or a little older. We are all starting to get crow’s feet and sunspots on our skin. I am okay with this, but a lot of my friends are spending loads of money on botox, filler, and other… Read more »
Dear Barb: Hi Barb, my husband’s friends are driving me crazy. They come over at all times of the day or night! I have asked them to call before they come, as we have two young children who are often in bed when they show up. As well, I am taking courses at AU and… Read more »
Dear Barb: I have just finished my first year of university where I was living in residence with two roommates. Over the course of the school year, one of my roommates and I became close friends. We often went out together as neither of us had boyfriends. At the end of the year Erin met… Read more »
Dear Barb: My sister left home, or disappeared, five years ago when she was in her mid-teens. We did not hear from her or see her again until she showed up at my parent’s home with two children in tow. My parents struggled for those five years without knowing if she was dead or alive,… Read more »
Dear Barb: Following my father’s diagnosis of terminal cancer, I decided to attend Athabasca. The flexibility would allow me to help my mom care for my dad. My father survived for one year and it was a difficult year for all of us. It has now been six months since my father passed and I’m… Read more »
Dear Barb: I am in my early twenties and the youngest of three kids. My parents are great and have always been there for all of their kids. Recently I discovered that on Saturday nights they go to different friends’ homes and they all smoke marijuana. I was shocked when my cousin told me about… Read more »
Dear Barb: My daughter has two children and is in her twenties. She had her children when she was young and wasn’t able to finish school. Recently Sylvia began taking courses at AU as she finally realized she needs an education. She chose AU so she would be able to spend time with her children… Read more »