Comment on Ask Amy: Sister hesitates to give niece advice

Dear Amy: I am an older woman, retired after a long career as a counselor. I am the oldest of five siblings. My sister is one year younger. She is very talented, creative and generous. However, my relationship with her can often be difficult due to her bipolar disorder. She has described herself “as mean as a snake” during her manic periods. She is medicated and has been seeing a psychiatrist for years. She lives with her husband who is a wonderful man who drinks to excess after he plays golf most days and does volunteer work. I think it’s how he manages. My sister has had conflicted relationships with all four of her children from time to time. We live on opposite coasts. There is one daughter in particular with whom she has the most problems.