Dear Abby
Ex-wife pops up after 40 years
DEAR ABBY: When my first wife and I were in our early 20s, she left me for another man. It was difficult, but I worked through it, learned to trust…
Dear Abby
Dear Abby
Relative refuses to make good choices
DEAR ABBY: My cousin (more like a sister) has made some extremely rash and concerning choices over the last year. After she had her second baby, she left her husband…
Dear Abby
Parent, daughter struggle for balance
DEAR ABBY: I haven’t had a holiday with my grown daughter, “Charly,” since she left the state 12 years ago. When she came out as a lesbian, I wasn’t very…
Dear Abby
Mother dumps problems in teen’s lap
DEAR ABBY: Ever since I was a child, my mom has regarded me as wise, thoughtful and intelligent. She has confided about family issues, tensions at church and cheating at…
Dear Abby
Friend abruptly cuts off complaint
DEAR ABBY: I’ve known “Bianca” since high school. She’s my neighbor and godmother to my son. I consider her a sister, and we travel and spend holidays together. Our families…
Dear Abby
‘Relationship’ involves sending money
DEAR ABBY: I have been in a text relationship for nearly a year. I call it a text relationship because we communicate solely through texting. Because I’m not a video…
Dear Abby
Dad’s attitude complicates get-togethers
DEAR ABBY: My parents have been divorced for almost 30 years. My father is still furious with my mother, and she is indifferent toward him. My son is about to…
Dear Abby
Hardworking son frustrated by free rides
DEAR ABBY: I’m in my early 40s and have been working hard since my mid 20s. I have a nice house that my wife and I are trying to pay…
Dear Abby
Mom devastated by wedding plans
DEAR ABBY: My oldest daughter, “Alexa,” is breaking my heart. She’s engaged to a nice enough man she’s been with for five years, but she has cast aside every single…
Dear Abby
Ex-wife still uses kids to hurt man
DEAR ABBY: My daughter was living in my garage apartment but then got married and moved away. Her sister is in law school in another state, and her brother is…
Dear Abby
Daughter turns 18, sets off on bad path
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I finally got custody of his daughter “Amelia” 15 days before her 16th birthday. She came to us with homeschooling and little socialization. Now she’s…
Dear Abby
Expectant mom wants father out of picture
DEAR ABBY: My dad is a registered sex offender who has done time for his crimes against children. My mother has continued to have contact with him and has repeatedly…
Dear Abby
Grown godchildren don’t communicate as often
DEAR ABBY: My godchildren and I were always very close. They consider me literally their second mom. Until now, we were blessed with great communication. The oldest always sent me…
Dear Abby
Comedian brothers’ feud not funny
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are the parents of three grown sons. Our middle son (“Kurt,” age 29) has been in conflict with his younger brother (“Jared,” age 26)…
Dear Abby
Girlfriend tired of man’s wandering eye
DEAR ABBY: I have been with my boyfriend for 3½ years. Before me, he was known for sleeping around. He has never cheated on me that I am aware of,…
Dear Abby
Father makes it his job to find daughter a husband
DEAR ABBY: I recently turned 30, and I find myself in kind of a “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” situation, specifically the scene where Toula’s father has invited several Greek…
Dear Abby
Man compares wife’s attractiveness
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been with my husband for 19 years, and we have established a loving, stable relationship despite some very tumultuous times. I have always known he finds me…
Dear Abby
Ex-wife has carried secret for 20 years
DEAR ABBY: I was married to a police officer for 20 years. It wasn’t a warm marriage. We divorced 20 years ago. Our one child is in his late 30s.…
Dear Abby
Man meets new lady amid divorce
DEAR ABBY: I am recently separated, and my divorce will be final soon. I have met a woman I didn’t even know could exist. She’s perfect for me. The problem…
Dear Abby
Woman abandoned after suicide attempt
DEAR ABBY: My 38-year-old daughter attempted suicide a week ago. She had been living with her fiance, and they shared an apartment and had two cats. My wife and I…
Dear Abby
Lunches with Negative Nellie a chore
DEAR ABBY: I recently reconnected with a colleague from work. We were friendly, but not really what I would call friends. We reconnected on social media and have had lunch…
Dear Abby
Husband abandons wife at single table
DEAR ABBY: My husband puts everyone first before me. An example: We were invited to his aunt Diana’s 50th wedding anniversary. His father was their best man but couldn’t make…
Dear Abby
Father’s past being used as weapon
DEAR ABBY: I am a troubled older man. I was married with three children, but I drank too much. My wife and I divorced after 20 years of marriage. We…
Dear Abby
Grandpa anticipates delicate conversation
DEAR ABBY: My son just told me his daughter, age 26, is getting breast enhancement surgery. My question is, how do I address that when next I see her, probably…
Dear Abby
Man’s texts undermine relationship
DEAR ABBY: My relationship with my partner hasn’t been the greatest, but we are both working on ourselves to become better partners. Recently, I found out he has been texting…
Dear Abby
Habits take turn for the worse
DEAR ABBY: I am married with two children, 6 and 4. I love them and my wife. When I met her, I knew she was a little messy. I am…
Dear Abby
Poem continues to resonate
DEAR ABBY: While doing some house cleaning, I came across a column of yours that I had clipped and tucked away. On one of the pages I had dog-eared was…
Dear Abby
Gravestone damaged by decoration
DEAR ABBY: We lost our 16-year-old daughter two years ago to leukemia. It’s been a difficult two years. I am writing to ask if there are rules of etiquette for…
Dear Abby
Mental health struggles take toll
DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 47 years. My wife has suffered from mental illness for more than half our marriage. Two years ago, she went off her medication,…
Dear Abby
New neighbor gets more than a welcome
DEAR ABBY: I’m a gay man living in a predominantly straight community. About a year ago, a married couple moved in. One day, the husband asked me to come over…