Is it just me, or does Carolyn Hax seem to take tons of time off?

[Anonymous]

I love her, but I feel like she's on leave or vacation ... a lot. Anyone know why?

[Anonymous]

Currently, I do think it's related to the recent death of her father. (It happened earlier this summer, but there's a gap between prep of columns and running of columns.)
Having said that, I have also from time to time had that feeling. I attribute it to her ability to negotiate her contract from a very strong position. It's one of the top draws to the Post (I'm sure helps with subscriptions) and I believe she is nationally syndicated.
She clearly puts an emphasis on work-life balance, and being their for her kids, who seem to be involved in time-heavy sports like hockey.
We should all be so lucky to advocate in this way.

[Anonymous]

Lol I have noticed this too. She is constantly “away” and they post old columns.

No shade really, I mean she is clearly successful and no longer has to hustle every day all year , she can take vacations and still come back and have a popular column. Good for her. But yes I’ve noticed she is on vacation constantly. Sometimes I wonder, yeah, I’d be that level headed and generous in my dealings with others if I had 9 weeks of vacation a year too!

[Anonymous]

Oh so sad. I did not know her dad died. This is the Op.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been reading her stuff off and on since the 90’s. She’s mentioned several times that she takes 4 weeks of vacation throughout the year but her dad died recently so that might be why it seems she’s on extended leave this summer.

[Anonymous]

She's always talked about and referred to her Dad. Sad that happened. I think her boys are all grown up now, or close?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's always talked about and referred to her Dad. Sad that happened. I think her boys are all grown up now, or close?

Yes, her kids are older than mine (who is a junior this year).

[Anonymous]

I sort of think she needs to retire or pass the torch. I remember when she started and it was like getting advice from a friend or big sister/cousin. Now it’s like you’re getting advice from your mother or grandmother.

[Anonymous]

She's always been a flake. I used to follow the live chats and at least half the time she was late joining or had some kind of "technical issue". Get it together!

At this point, I thinks he's mostly phoning it in. She's been doing this now for what.. about 30 years? She must be tired of it, but the money's good enough to keep her there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol I have noticed this too. She is constantly “away” and they post old columns.

No shade really, I mean she is clearly successful and no longer has to hustle every day all year , she can take vacations and still come back and have a popular column. Good for her. But yes I’ve noticed she is on vacation constantly. Sometimes I wonder, yeah, I’d be that level headed and generous in my dealings with others if I had 9 weeks of vacation a year too!

+1

She’s been vacationing for years now.

[Anonymous]

Her Dad died. Give her a break, sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sort of think she needs to retire or pass the torch. I remember when she started and it was like getting advice from a friend or big sister/cousin. Now it’s like you’re getting advice from your mother or grandmother.

She is technically genx, though barely. No way she is passing this torch on until she is well and ready. She could literally write this column for years and years and will likely do so (as long as newspapers are still in existence--which is questionable once boomers hit full dementia stage).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sort of think she needs to retire or pass the torch. I remember when she started and it was like getting advice from a friend or big sister/cousin. Now it’s like you’re getting advice from your mother or grandmother.

She is technically genx, though barely. No way she is passing this torch on until she is well and ready. She could literally write this column for years and years and will likely do so (as long as newspapers are still in existence--which is questionable once boomers hit full dementia stage).

SHe does help bring in the younger audience -- you can tell by who writes in. Compare to Miss Manners and so many writers with questinos about grandchildren and so on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sort of think she needs to retire or pass the torch. I remember when she started and it was like getting advice from a friend or big sister/cousin. Now it’s like you’re getting advice from your mother or grandmother.

Which is often the best advice you can get, believe it or not. I am clearly biased at my age but I've been reading Hax for decades and also lived through whatever age you are and unless your mother and grandmother are extremely screwed up and dysfunctional you might want to give their wisdom and expertise a little more respect.

[Anonymous]

She's fine, but I'd rather hear more different voices.

But as she gets older, they need a new junior advice columnist for the young readers.