Dear Abby: Our parents making us do all the work for their birthday celebration has gone on long enough

Dear Abby: Our parents making us do all the work for their birthday celebration has gone on long enough

DEAR ABBY: Both my parents had birthdays days apart and near a holiday. About 35 years ago, they started a tradition of having an elaborate party on or near their birthdays. My siblings and I were grown. The guests were their friends, and we were mostly bored out of our minds. As we married and … Read more

Dear Abby: My mother is still married to my abuser and I want him out of me life

Dear Abby: My mother is still married to my abuser and I want him out of me life

DEAR ABBY: I am a victim of childhood sexual assault. I’m 52, and memories that I have repressed for so many years are coming back to haunt me. I have been with my husband for 14 years. We have enjoyed a very sexual relationship, but, lately, the memories are causing me to want to avoid … Read more

Dear Abby: How can I support my pregnant bipolar sister-in-law?

Dear Abby: How can I support my pregnant bipolar sister-in-law?

DEAR ABBY: My brother “Joey” married a woman, “Allie,” who is mentally unstable. Every couple of months, she loses her temper at me or one of my family members. It’s extremely disruptive and upsetting. She has been diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder as well as borderline personality disorder. Joey recognizes her behavior is inappropriate … Read more

Dear Abby: I was given a plus one for my nephew’s wedding — but I can only use it for my disabled son

Dear Abby: I was given a plus one for my nephew’s wedding — but I can only use it for my disabled son

DEAR ABBY: I have a special-needs son and cannot travel with him alone. I have also been in a committed relationship for two years. When my aunt’s youngest daughter got married last year, I clearly stated that I would not be able to attend because of these limitations. Now her son is getting married. The … Read more

Dear Abby: My friend doesn’t want to interfere with her daughter’s abusive marriage

Dear Abby: My friend doesn’t want to interfere with her daughter’s abusive marriage

DEAR ABBY: My best friend “Pat” and I live on opposite sides of the country. I am very concerned about Pat’s daughter and granddaughter, “Mandy.” Pat’s son-in-law is verbally abusive. He calls Pat’s daughter names and tells Mandy that Mommy is bad. Mandy is only 3 and already knows she has to be nice to … Read more

Dear Abby: Should I drop my serial home wrecking friend?

Dear Abby: Should I drop my serial home wrecking friend?

DEAR ABBY: I have a longtime friend, “Laurie,” who is single. Most of the relationships she gets into are with men who are in relationships already. She often suggests that my husband and I and she get together to hang out, but I discourage it because I don’t trust her completely. (I do trust my … Read more

Dear Abby: I can’t stand my close friend’s vulgar language

Dear Abby: I can’t stand my close friend’s vulgar language

DEAR ABBY: When my lifelong friend “Cheryl” and I would talk once a week to catch up with each other’s lives, she’d describe her other friends’ woes in a really animated way, including a loud voice and extremely vulgar words about those friends. She even talked about her recently departed mother this way. Her mother … Read more

Dear Abby: I fell in love with a woman who lives with her soon-to-be ex-husband

Dear Abby: I fell in love with a woman who lives with her soon-to-be ex-husband

DEAR ABBY: I am a man who was widowed 11 months ago. I met a woman on a dating site, and we clicked immediately. We have been enjoying each other’s company for several months. We have a long-distance relationship. She lives three hours away. Although she indicated on the dating site her status as “separated … Read more

Dear Abby: My husband won’t stop making fun of me in public

Dear Abby: My husband won’t stop making fun of me in public

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been married for 49 years. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs. My husband, “Sid,” said he was joking at the store the other day. When I talk, I gesture with my hands. A woman was coming down the aisle while I was talking, and Sid warned her, “Watch out! She’s … Read more

Dear Abby: My boyfriend is a dancer — and women won’t stay away from him

Dear Abby: My boyfriend is a dancer — and women won’t stay away from him

DEAR ABBY: I’m in an eight-month relationship with a man who is a sexy good dancer. (I’m also a good dancer.) My dilemma is, he attracts a lot of female attention on the dance floor, and sometimes women aggressively come up and dance next to us, vying for his attention (which we usually ignore). Most … Read more

Dear Abby: I just met my brother’s daughter that no one knew existed

Dear Abby: I just met my brother’s daughter that no one knew existed

DEAR ABBY: I had my DNA analyzed and subsequently received a message from a young woman (a stranger) on the site. Her DNA matches at the level of a niece. Her message said she did not know her father, and her mother hasn’t been clear on that subject. Her mother “met a guy” back in … Read more

Dear Abby: My dad gives money to the less fortunate — but he’s broke

Dear Abby: My dad gives money to the less fortunate — but he’s broke

DEAR ABBY: My father, who is retired, has always had a big heart and almost no regard for himself. Anytime he meets someone in a tough situation, he does whatever he can to make it easier, giving freely of his time and resources without asking for repayment. This was a big problem when my parents … Read more

Dear Abby: My husband abandoned me when I had cancer — should I take him back?

Dear Abby: My husband abandoned me when I had cancer — should I take him back?

DEAR ABBY: I was with the same man for 36 years, but I divorced him three years ago because of his gambling problems. We came to this country 27 years ago, and ever since then I have been working and providing for us. He never paid any bills. He was very controlling and pretty much … Read more

Dear Abby: Should I start dating a fellow widow?

Dear Abby: Should I start dating a fellow widow?

DEAR ABBY: I lost my husband two months ago after a long, debilitating illness. I loved him very much, and the loss was very difficult, although not unexpected.  After his funeral, an old friend called me offering condolences. He had lost his wife last year after a long illness, and he understood what I had … Read more

Dear Abby: My husband has completely changed since taking a government job

Dear Abby: My husband has completely changed since taking a government job

DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Andy,” and I have been together 25 years, married for 16. We have three kids ages 14, 11 and 9. Our marriage has always been a happy one. Andy began a government job five years ago, and after two years, he was traveling a lot. Once he started traveling so often, … Read more

Dear Abby: My elderly mom seems to be avoiding our family — should I be concerned?

Dear Abby: My elderly mom seems to be avoiding our family — should I be concerned?

DEAR ABBY: My mom is in her early 80s. More and more often lately, she seems to be avoiding seeing me and my siblings. It wasn’t always like this. She would let me, my husband and our kids stay with her when we visited. Even last year, when she fell and injured herself, she let … Read more

Dear Abby: My husband blames me for having my period

Dear Abby: My husband blames me for having my period

DEAR ABBY: I am frustrated with my husband. We have been together 18 years. When it gets close to my menstrual cycle, he gets into an angry panic for us to be intimate because he travels for work and is home only four nights a week. If we’re not able to, he pouts, then becomes … Read more

Dear Abby: How do I tell a woman her gym leggings are transparent?

Dear Abby: How do I tell a woman her gym leggings are transparent?

DEAR ABBY: My fitness center has three rows of treadmills and ellipticals. One woman usually selects the front row. Like many in the gym, she wears tight leggings, which is fine. However, hers are stretched so thin across her buttocks that the fabric is semi-transparent. Although this is unsightly, it is not a huge deal … Read more