Dear Clementine

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: How do you handle a bullying (and sexist) family member around the holidays? I have a family member who is always berating me for not being helpful enough, meanwhile it is OK for my brother or her husband to be sleeping in the living room because they are "just men." How can I address this blatant sexism and double-standard? I’m nearly 33 and have been singl...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: My eldest daughter is almost 13 and I really want to start giving her some age-appropriate feminist books. I’m wondering what books you think would have been beneficial for you at this age? If you could go back in time, which books would you have given your 13-year-old self?  Recently one of my super close & also fat girlfriends confided in me that she a...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: I am a few months away from 40 and am feeling really anxious. I am particularly struggling with unpicking the patriarchal lies within that tell me women over 40 have no value. While I can look around and see so many women in their 40s and older thriving and continuing to be vibrant, beautiful, powerhouses, I still can't shake this feeling that it's all downh...

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussion of sexual abuse & eating disorders This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: My kid sister is much younger than me & my brother. She recently shared with me that when she was 16 years old one of my brother’s 34 year old friends started a secret sexual relationship with her. My sister is so ashamed now, she’s sworn my to secrecy. I want to hon...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: My 9 year old son was recently exposed to porn and I am heart broken. I feel completely overwhelmed and uncertain of how to move forward. I know I can't make him unsee what he saw, but what do I do? How can I help him now?    My partner of 6 years recently left me & our 3yo daughter. After 2 weeks, he had a new girlfriend... It has now been only 8 weeks...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: It seems to me that so many of my male friendships are not actually friendships but often fall into grey zones and collapse. How do I conduct myself firmly, ethically and with kindness, so as to not to land in these situations anymore?    My daughter identifies as a 'Trad wife'. She has a daughter herself and I am worried about her being brought up in a hous...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: Where / how do I draw the line between giving someone a chance & wasting my own time?  Can you please give me some practical advice to build self-esteem and how to practice truly helpful self-care?  What's your advice for a mid-twenties female unsure about life? What would you tell 25-year-old Clem?  If you have a question for Clementine, send her an ema...

How can we prepare ourselves against future poverty & bolster our finances for retirement? That's theme of this special bonus episode. Clementine is joined by Trenna Probert, finance expert & CEO of Super Fierce, to answer your superannuation questions. Trenna answers: Should I be putting extra into my super fund?  Should I cash in my super and buy property via a self managed super?  How c...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: My relationship of 18 years has come to an end. I have no idea what to do with myself. I gave my partner everything and sacrificed so much - how do I find myself again after all this time? Tween / teen girls are nightmares - fact or fiction? What should I say to those suggesting later diagnosis of ADHD in women is a fad? If you have a question for Clementine...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: My sister in law is hot. She’s also kind, intelligent, funny and interesting. I really like her as a person but I’m also jealous of how perfect she is. Every time I compare myself to her, I feel terrible about myself. Do you have any strategies for dealing with this type of jealousy?   Can you please unwind the attitude behind men posturing themselves as vic...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: I’m think of myself as a feminist but often my mind is really not feminist at all...I often fantasise about being submissive and man pleasing, sometimes they being verbally abusive or using coercive control and me giving up my power. Where is the line between kink and repressed inner misogyny?   I have an 11 year old daughter and I’m currently deciding wheth...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: Being anti-marriage, I really detest everything a wedding symbolizes, and as a socially-anxious introvert I don’t enjoy them at all. Or maybe I’m just bitter and jealous because as a lifelong single woman I will never get the chance to be celebrated like a bride. I feel so conflicted when invited to a wedding - on one hand resenting having to spend money and...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - What are your thoughts on me moving out of my shared place with my boyfriend, but staying together in the relationship? - I’m a 27 year old female with 3 much older brothers. My middle brother and his wife have bullied me since I was young, including when they actively stayed in contact with a previous abusive partner of mine. So I’ve basically had no cont...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - I’ve been with my partner for 5 years, he recently confirmed he’s not as attracted to me as he once was. Our relationship is too good to let go of but I still want to feel attractive. Do you have any advice?  - How can I get my employer to take my complaints about a gross colleague seriously? - How do I get over my gender disappointment of finding it my se...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - Over the last 2 years or so I've really worked on myself. I've noticed since I've found my worth and some success, I have been losing friends. What do I do? How do I avoid this happening again?  - How have you handled harassment and bullying? I have aspirations myself of becoming a successful writer/musician and have always been terrified of entering the p...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - I am 31 and single. Many of my friends have started having babies, but when I find out I can't help but feel sad. Am I a bad friend for feeling sad? - 3 years ago I was made aware that my father had been a serial cheater throughout my parents' entire relationship. My sister says it's cruel that I'm "punishing" him by refusing contact with him. What should...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - I can’t help but think it’s internalised patriarchy / misogyny that drives women to perpetuate cultural norms such as needing to conceal our natural age / appearance. How do you reconcile this with some of the material you’ve posted around fillers / botox etc? - I just got home from a frustrating experience being patronised by a male friend, I've spent the...

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - How do you suggest I deal with a woman who finds ways to put me down and make me embarrassed, particularly in front of other people?  - My husband and I often argue about housework. How do I get him to do his share? - How can I accept my 21 year old daughter's partner of choice when I know they met when she was 18 and he was 30? If you'd like to ask Clemen...

***Warning: This episode contains discussion of eating disorders*** This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: -  I love watching my comfort reality shows, but it’s so difficult to look past the obvious manipulation and sexism. How can I enjoy trashy TV while being a feminist?  - What's the best way to raise two young women who are confident in their bodies and in their sex lives?  - I have a questio...

***Warning: this episode includes discussion of domestic violence.*** This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - How can I get over my crippling fear that no one will ‘want me’ (except for sex) now that I’m a single mum?  - I have a good friend whose husband behaves in ways towards her that I find completely unacceptable. I’ve spoken to her about it, but I want to know how I can best support her? ...

Every week Clementine Ford will be delivering the advice you need to hear. This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - I was betrayed by my partner of 12 years and my best friend. How do I move on from the hurt I feel, and the sense that it was all a lie?  - As a woman in the public service (nursing) I am so demoralised by how little financial and structural support feminised industries receive in c...

Every week Clementine Ford will be delivering the advice you need to hear. This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - How do I stay composed when I’m calling out racist, homophobic, misogynistic behavior?  - Do you experience career rejection & how do you deal with it?  - What are your thoughts on separating the art from the artist? If you'd like to ask Clementine a question, send her a message...

Every week Clementine Ford will be delivering the advice you need to hear. This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - How can I help a gal pal who thinks she’s in love with a boy who’s hot and cold with her and also doesn’t always tell the truth?   - How do I stay sane in a new relationship when all my brain wants to do is hyper focus on that person!?  - How do I tell my mother-in-law that I will n...

The US Supreme Court has overturned the nationwide right to abortion in its landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling. At the time of publication abortion is now banned in at least nine states, with trigger bans in several more set to take effect in the coming days.  Understandably, Clem had a fair bit to say about this ruling so we are dropping into your feed with a special epi...

Every week Clementine Ford will be delivering the advice you need to hear. This week in the Dear Clementine inbox: - Do you have any advice for separating from controlling parents?  - Am I the only one who doesn't want to climb the career ladder? I want to climb down…  - My female friend prefers male executives because they are "easier to work with"... thoughts?  If you'd lik...