DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, my daughter went “no contact” with both sides of our family — grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, as well as cousins. Since then, I have been struggling with how I should answer acquaintances who ask, “How is she doing?” as well as those who ask, “Do you have children?” … Read more
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 graduate from high school, and both grandparents want to attend the ceremony and dinner afterward. However, Dad refuses to be in proximity, or even sight … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I started a new job a year and a half ago. It’s in a small office. My boss and I are the only employees. I enjoy the job very much, but there’s an aspect of it that has really started to wear on me. Increasingly, my boss has been asking me to take … Read more
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 off and two kids. We live pretty comfortably, but by no means are we well off. My dad is very well off, and he finances … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My friend “Alma” has a handicapped parking permit. I never asked her why she has it. We regularly go for long walks, and she seems perfectly able-bodied. Alma did share with me once that she got the tag after an accident left her with some intermittent long-term pain. She said most days she … Read more
DEAR ABBY: We were recorded on video and audio on our daughter’s porch, thinking we were talking to each other privately. We were discussing how hurt we were that she didn’t want to spend time with us on our 50th wedding anniversary, shortly after she and her husband moved out of state. They could easily … Read more
Kaitlyn Dever dealt with a family tragedy shortly before she filmed Joel’s death scene for Sunday night’s episode of “The Last of Us.” “To be as honest as possible. I will just say that my days leading up to this scene were horrible,” the 28-year-old actress, who plays Abby in the HBO series, said in … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m 58 and five years into my second marriage. We lived together a little over a year before getting married. I spent seven years as a caregiver for my parents before marrying my current husband. We moved to Kentucky from Florida because his mom needed us close, but since the move, he has … Read more
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 even farther away in graduate school. I moved close enough to see them when they come to visit their hometown and their mother. My ex-wife … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have a 16-month-old who has recently learned to walk. My mom was watching him one day a week while I worked part-time, but she ultimately decided it was too much stress on her back and said she could no longer lift him. Lately, she has been telling me I need to “train” … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I finally got custody of his daughter “Amelia” 15 days before her 16th birthday. She came to us with home-schooling and little socialization. Now she’s 18, and we’ve gotten her on track to graduate, but she has completely changed. She plans to move in with her boyfriend and is skipping … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My daughter-in-law is very opinionated. At times, we get along. But, in the past, she has upset me by accusing me of not doing the right thing. She and my son have two young children together and full custody of his son from another mother. I complimented my grandson on looking after his … Read more
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 chosen him over her own children. She doesn’t respect our wishes, and we believe she gives him information about our lives and our images. With … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a single man with no siblings. My elderly father passed away eight months ago. My mother is now in hospice with a life expectancy of weeks to months. My parents have lived long and productive lives, and I’m proud of both of them. We have always been very close. Since their … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My partner and I have been together for more than five years now. He has two adult children. I learned two days ago that I am pregnant. At 43 years old, I didn’t think a child was in my future. But now that I’m pregnant, I couldn’t be happier. I’m cautiously excited because … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My mother-in-law is living with us, and she and my husband are very good friends. They are a lot alike. They’re outgoing and they’re huggers and they talk a lot. I feel like a third wheel most of the time, but I occupy myself by reading in another part of the house or … Read more
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) for more than a year. Kurt started doing stand-up comedy but still works a day job to pay his bills. Jared now has also started … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been dating a guy off and on for the past seven years. “Giorgio” is a wonderful person and will do just about anything for me. The problems are that he doesn’t have much to offer, and he talks too much. He shares a great deal of our private business to family and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have been with my boyfriend for 3 1/2 years. Before me, he was known for sleeping around. He has never cheated on me that I am aware of, but when we go to social gatherings (or just out), he flirts with other women. If there is another woman in the room, he … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My best friend of 45 years and I are 65. She has been married since 1985; I have been divorced for many years. She recently shocked me by claiming that a mutual friend told her I have been having an affair with a married acquaintance! This is false, but I now wonder whether … Read more