Dear Abby
Back away from complicated romance
DEAR ABBY: My son dated a girl for 3½ years in high school. Both were sure they had found their life mate. While my husband and I knew it was…
Dear Abby
Dear Abby
Guests ruin joy of treasured items
DEAR ABBY: How do I deal with guests and friends who make unfortunate comments about personal belongings in my home? For example, I have a favorite print of a woman…
Dear Abby
Communication key in relationship
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s and have been together six years. He’s a great boyfriend, and I’m happy in every way except one. Since…
Dear Abby
History of abuse leads to ultimatum
DEAR ABBY: My son is demanding that I tell his father and brother to call him to apologize for past behaviors and attitudes that hurt him. He says if I…
Dear Abby
Is even split of parenting OK?
DEAR ABBY: Five months ago, my relationship of 10 years ended. I discovered my boyfriend had been unfaithful on more than one occasion. He didn’t want to fix the relationship,…
Dear Abby
Man repeatedly disregards wife’s complaint
DEAR ABBY: I’m an older woman. My husband and I have been married eight years but were together 15 years before our marriage. He is a wonderful, caring man in…
Dear Abby
Friend’s spouse ducks out during visits
DEAR ABBY: About 10 years ago, I visited my oldest and dearest friend, who I see a few times a year. The last time, her husband, who I’ve also known…
Dear Abby
Middle-aged daughter takes no responsibility
DEAR ABBY: My 40-year-old daughter has never grown up. Until recently, she relied on her grandmother to make ends meet. Her grandmother died, and now I’m all she has. After…
Dear Abby
Woman asks Abby to convey message
DEAR ABBY: There is a man, “Gus,” I am completely, madly in love with. The issue is, he likes to drink – a lot. The only thing he wants to…
Dear Abby
In-laws’ celebrations too pricey
DEAR ABBY: My daughter and son-in-law are expecting their second child. Everyone is very happy for them. The problem is the difference between her in-laws’ beliefs and mine. I was…
Dear Abby
Aging mother refuses to discuss wishes
DEAR ABBY: My mom turns 85 this year. When my father died of congestive heart failure 10 years ago, our family had a clear understanding of Dad’s wishes about the…
Dear Abby
Boyfriend rages when demands for sex denied
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 37-year-old stay-at-home mother of two teens. I’ve been in a relationship with a guy I’ll call “Doug” for four years. I feel he only wants me…
Dear Abby
Avoidance of sick relative breeds resentment
DEAR ABBY: Is it normal for people to ignore relatives who have Alzheimer’s? My father spent more than two years in a veterans hospital before his death. During that time,…
Dear Abby
In-law appoints herself permanent emcee
DEAR ABBY: I have a sister-in-law, “Helen,” who has appointed herself as the final word on all family events. No other relative has any input into when, where, what, etc.,…
Dear Abby
Man dating ‘estranged’ wife unsure of future
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been together more than 20 years. Our relationship grew stale over time, and a couple of years ago, she decided to leave me.…
Dear Abby
Mother-in-law is a menace
DEAR ABBY: I married a wonderful, thoughtful man 30 years ago. His family accepted me and were very kind, with the exception of his mother. She hardly looked at or…
Dear Abby
Lack of intimacy puts marriage at crossroads
DEAR ABBY: I’m 55 and have been married to my husband for 22 years. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease 12 years ago. He’s mobile but on oxygen and…
Dear Abby
Marriage of convenience now inconvenient
DEAR ABBY: Eighteen years ago, I married a man so he could get health insurance and have back surgery. It was supposed to be short-lived. He fell in love with…
Dear Abby
Treatment of female relatives has crossed line
DEAR ABBY: My daughter “Lia” and her husband, “Jerry,” visited his mother and stepdad, “Gil,” a few months ago. Gil gave Lia an inappropriate hug, with his hand sliding to…
Dear Abby
Couple quarrels over America’s past
DEAR ABBY: I am a Hispanic-American woman who has been married to my husband for three years. He was born and raised in North Carolina. He’s a wonderful person. We…
Dear Abby
Woman struggles to find purpose in life
DEAR ABBY: I am a 29-year-old housewife with a loving husband, a caring mother and equally supportive in-laws. I’m writing because I feel useless. I don’t even have a hobby…
Dear Abby
Wife’s solution raises a stink
DEAR ABBY: I have been married 28 years. I love my husband, but one thing really bothers me that I have told him time and time again, to no avail.…
Dear Abby
Relations with in-laws hit new lows
DEAR ABBY: I was never close to my late husband’s family. He had two half-siblings from his mother and seven from his father. (He was the only mutual child between…
Dear Abby
Friend isn’t shy about lending helping hand
DEAR ABBY: I need advice regarding my husband’s friend and how I should handle a delicate situation. My husband has a woman friend. (She has a boyfriend.) They recently helped…
Dear Abby
Unhinged behavior burns family bridge
DEAR ABBY: I’m hoping you can help with an ongoing issue I’m having with my sister-in-law. She has verbally assaulted me four times, each time acting like she doesn’t remember…
Dear Abby
Student frets about boyfriend’s social life
DEAR ABBY: My partner, “Josh,” and I (we’re both male) have been together for two years. We met while living in Los Angeles and were fortunate to be accepted to…
Dear Abby
Former classmate sees future in affair
DEAR ABBY: In high school, I had a close male friend, “Adam.” After graduation, I moved out of state. We remained friends for a while in college, calling, writing and…
Dear Abby
Boyfriend has zero financial plans
DEAR ABBY: My husband died three years ago, and I met someone shortly after. This man is kind and loving, and he treats me well. He happily moved with me…
Dear Abby
Wife’s ability to trust takes hit
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are in our early 70s. We have been married seven years. I was celibate before we met and thrilled to have a partner I…
Dear Abby
Peopele’s opinions complicate health issues
DEAR ABBY: I am struggling with an invisible illness and losing patience with friends, family and acquaintances. I’m working with doctors to manage my conditions, and I’m tired of all…