Back to school challenges? Workplace conundrums? For all the advice you seek, e-mail askacat@alaskalandmine.com or send a message anonymously here.

Dear Cat,

I work in a field where there are a lot of young employees around me that are in entry level positions. I feel obligated to inspire them to find their calling/real career but often its frustrating to see them show up late/hear them complain/not pursue education. How much of being an older person with an established profession gives me the responsibility to look out for the “kids” in my office?

Dear Human,

Cat appreciates that you are seeking advice about giving advice. While I think it’s admirable that you want to inspire and guide the youth at the office, its important you realize you are not responsible for the ultimate success of the kittens around you. Mentorship is certainly a choice. Outside the construct of a formal agreement between you and another person, Cat reminds you that its important to maintain boundaries with your younger coworkers.

Casually doling out career advice when someone didn’t ask for it is likely to frustrate you and annoy them. Remember that the beauty of being young is that you are supposed to be making mistakes, learning, and figuring out what it is you want to do with the rest of your life. It can be easy to see what they “should” be doing from your perspective of an advanced career and life lived, but no one is exempt from learning a few hard lessons through experience.

Cat also reminds you that it could be a bit of a liability to go around encouraging your young staff to quit in the name of pursuing better offers. The best you can do is to lead by example. Act professionally, be a good example of what it looks like to be successful in a career you enjoy. Be a sympathetic ear on occasion and encourage any positive ideas the kids come up with. Focus on the fact that you are lucky and wise enough to have ended up where you are and instead of worrying about the next generation. Be sure to enjoy and reflect on how you found yourself where you seem happy to be.

Dear Cat,

I share custody 50/50 with my kid, I Just got her schedule for middle school, turns out I hooked up with one of her teachers this summer after a Tinder date. Do I have to reach out to this teacher and give her a heads up? We texted a few times after but never saw each other again.

Dear Human,

What a quaint small-town problem you have. It sounds to Cat like you and Teacher didn’t exchange too many details about your purrsonal lives during your encounter, otherwise you might have anticipated this could be a problem. Normally Cat is a big advocate for up front and clear communication, but in this case, it may be wiser to let it be. It sounds like you were two consenting adults that chose to have a one-time encounter and not pursue a relationship afterwards. Could it be a bit awkward? Sure. Does it have to be? Not necessarily.

It sounds like your child only has this teacher for a small portion of their day, and it may not be a huge issue. Should you encounter Teacher at a parent/teacher meeting or at some other point, be polite and focus on your child instead of your previous interaction. Keep in mind, Teacher may or may not already know this is your child in class. If for some reason they choose to reach out to you on the topic, be kind but assure them your focus and concern is on your child’s academic needs. If nothing else, Cat thinks it should give you paws before you have your next casual encounter. While you are welcome to participate in adult activities, keep in mind that your actions can have unforeseen consequences.

Dear Cat,

I knew there was a cat who was the mayor of a town in Alaska but finding out Alaska has a cat who writes an “Ann Landers-like” advice column for humans makes me want to move there. My question: I’m glad cats and cat ladies are getting lots of media and public attention, and many humans now want to claim cat lady status even if they don’t care about cats and aren’t even childless or miserable. But how can cat ladies capitalize on this fame to actually help cats and the cat ladies who care enough to rescue them when other humans toss them aside? 

Dear Human,

Cat is really enjoying the redefinition of the Cat Lady narrative these days. Independent and powerful women and their feline companions are extremely valuable members of society, and some are just now realizing the paws-itive impact they wield when it comes to causes they care about. Whether it be world domination, pushing their liberal agenda, forcing conservatives to wear rainbow flags, or advocating for animals, Cat says you are welcome to move to Alaska if you feel so inspired by the cause. If you’re asking about local opportunities to support Alaska felines, Cat can heartily recommend volunteering your money, home, and time to our local nonprofit rescue programs. Start with a cursory Google search and choose a rescue that aligns with your furry values. Purrsonally, Cat likes our local ASPCA, Clear Creek Cat Rescue, and Alaska Krazy Kats Rescue.

Philosophical purrs:

As a wise feline once said, be the cat lady you wish to see in the world. 🐾

Featured Feline:

Quincy excels at leisure and silent critiques.