DEAR ABBY: My boss doesn’t set boundaries between work and our personal lives. I adore her, but the job is very stressful and comes first. She recently became engaged, and I don’t know how to accept her husband-to-be. When we’re all together, he’s constantly on his cellphone or makes mean-spirited jabs at my husband over … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have scheduled a long road trip with another couple. All four of us are retired with a zest to explore. We share common interests, enjoy each other’s company and intend to share the driving. The catch is, we recently experienced the erratic driving of the other gentleman, and my … Read more
DEAR ABBY: We helped our eldest son, who is 35 and an engineer, buy a house five miles from us. A woman his friend introduced him to moved in with him a few years later. Against our advice, he married her last year. Her personality has always been difficult, noncollaborative, selfish and demanding. They now … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I was in an abusive relationship for 15 years that affected my children badly. I have had emotional problems since I was a child, which caused me to stay in the relationship long past the point I should have left. My two daughters left home at 16 and 13 to live with their … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I suspect my wife had an affair some years ago. She was spending time with this man in a local bar on weekends for quite a while. I recently confronted her with the rumors going around, and she says she did nothing wrong. When she began talking about him with me one day … Read more
DEAR ABBY: After four months of dating, I asked my boyfriend if we could move in together to save on rent. He was absolutely against the idea. We’ve now been dating for 10 months, and he recently got a letter stating that he’s about to be evicted because he hasn’t paid rent for three months. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: We’re a same-sex couple, and my husband has never gotten along with my sister and her husband. The tension has grown over the 17 years they’ve known each other. I suspect my sister may feel competitive or even jealous of our relationship. She comes across as self-focused, while her husband is quiet and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have witnessed many events at funerals that shouldn’t happen but seem to continue to happen. An example is a woman who has had a child with a married man showing up at the man’s funeral, acting as if they’re part of the family. The woman usually shows up with a grown child, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My daughter is in her early 30s and in a long-term relationship with a young man nine years younger. While they get along well and are starting to talk about marriage, I see things she doesn’t. I think the age gap will be an issue later, but more than that, I don’t believe … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am worried about my 26-year-old son, “Caleb.” He’s severely overweight. Let me be clear: I love him regardless of his weight, but I think he binge eats to cope with anxiety and depression. A mutual love of eating was how my son and his late mom bonded. For example, when his favorite … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Four years ago, after our family gathering for Christmas, my brother-in-law sent me a message saying I looked “sexy” in my sweater. I replied, “Thanks.” A year later, at another family gathering, he sent me messages asking about my car, which led to sexual advances. I tried to avoid his advances by being … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My partner, “Greg,” and I have been together a year. I’m getting the impression my success at work is making him insecure. I pursued a stable and high-paying career. I enjoy knowing I can support my future children’s needs financially. My success has now resulted in several big promotions, which means more demanding … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I was married for 39 years to “Morris,” an alcoholic and a spendthrift. In 2010, he announced he was having an affair with his boss, and the next day he moved in with and eventually married her. I was left filled with anger and resentment, and so were my two grown boys. Eventually, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 40 years and have two grown children. My husband is controlling. He wants things done his way and only his way and will go on and on about it if something is done any other way. He tells me to make up my mind about stuff, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A friend of mine calls first or pops by every few months. She’s generous and brings homemade treats, something she has found at the grocer’s or flowers from her garden. We have great chats, and I really like her. The problem is, she always brings her little dog, whom she calls the most … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Evan,” and I have been together five years and were married 2 1/2 years ago. We’re both in our early 40s and have children from previous relationships. What I’ve noticed is that anytime there is something going on in his family, I constantly have to ask him for updates. He sometimes … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Our dear mother passed away 2 1/2 years ago, which was very sad for me and my three siblings. Her passing happened on my adult son’s birthday. I try hard to focus only on the happy occasion of celebrating my wonderful son on his day, but my older sister sends me sad messages, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married for four years. When we got married, we were both monogamous. We wanted kids and a classic nuclear family, and our interests and political beliefs were similar. We had three kids in 15 months and received no help from anyone. I wasn’t the perfect husband. I … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a gay man. My husband, “Isaac,” and I have been together for 21 years, married for nine. I’m having challenges with his sister. Over these 21 years, I have observed that any decisions involving their family gatherings and vacations are strictly determined by his sister, with no consideration given to whether … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My sister-in-law, “Carla,” has had a “girlfriend,” “Susan,” for the past year who she has never met or spoken to. They only text. Carla says they plan to be married when they meet, which is canceled repeatedly. When I have asked, Carla has confusing reasons why they can’t FaceTime or speak on the … Read more