DEAR ABBY: I have been in a relationship with “Blake” for almost 10 years. Before we met, I was with “Kaden,” the father of my kids. It was a loveless relationship. Kaden was mean and cold and often had angry outbursts. My relationship with Blake started off as everything I ever wanted. He made me … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced dad with two adult daughters and a 14-year-old daughter. My older daughters are learning to be responsible for themselves, and I’m proud of them. The question I need help with involves my youngest. She doesn’t want to go to school. She stays awake on the phone. I have taken … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My daughter is attending a pricey college. She will be taking out the maximum of student loans, and we will slowly but surely eat through our entire savings to pay for it. Her college hires resident assistants (RAs) to help freshmen adjust to college life. In return, the RAs receive free room and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A casual friend and neighbor started doing the books at the company where I work. This means she knows my income, which she didn’t before. We live in a small town and are on several committees together outside of work, including a board for a local charity and the PTO for our kids’ … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Twelve years ago, my son “Will” married “Mara.” They dated in high school, wound up at the same college and eloped during their freshman year (way too young). In spite of their somewhat rocky relationship over the years, Mara and I always got along well. She became the daughter I never had, and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 54-year-old gay man who has spent his life making decisions with everyone else in mind. Every decision, life choice, relationship and career move has been based on how I’m perceived by friends and family. Currently, I’m living with my ex in my home. I’d like to live alone, but I feel … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Is it normal for people to ignore relatives who have Alzheimer’s? My father spent more than two years in a veteran’s hospital before his death. During that time, he was visited regularly by his children (including me) and my aunt (his sister). His grandchildren and another aunt visited a few times. Two of … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My daughter, “Jessica,” is getting married. My husband offered to pay for most of the wedding. Jessica and her fiance happily accepted the offer. My husband is now insisting that all of HIS aunts, uncles and cousins be invited, which means that Jessica and her fiance will have to eliminate nearly all of … Read more
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., regarding any family celebration. If it’s not her way, it’s the highway. The biggest problem with Helen is she schedules everything on the date that … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I work from home, so I do not need to get dressed up every day. I wear T-shirts and athletic shorts because I usually coach my sons in after-school sports and want to be comfortable. Every day, my wife complains about my appearance, comparing me to other fathers. She also has no problem … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband texted a graphic nude photo of himself to his ex-girlfriend. I am shocked and hurt. Should I leave this man? — CAN’T UNSEE IT IN WEST VIRGINIA DEAR CAN’T UNSEE: Yes, I think you should, because the naked truth is that your husband isn’t finished with his former girlfriend. DEAR ABBY: … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Ever since about my eighth month of pregnancy until now, six months postpartum, it seems like my husband is disgusted by me. He rarely initiates intimacy, doesn’t kiss or hug me and barely touches me. I am still about 30 pounds heavier than pre-pregnancy. When I ask him about his feelings for me, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have a connection with someone very close to my heart, but I’m afraid our relationship isn’t healthy. I’M the one who pays our rent. I’M the one who pays for all the food. And I’M the one who has to drive ALL THE TIME — and, as you know, gas isn’t cheap. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend refuses to be intimate with me because he feels it would be unfaithful to his ex-wife. What can I do? — SAD IN OHIO DEAR SAD: There is nothing you can do. Because you described him as having an “ex-wife,” I will assume your boyfriend is legally divorced. If the reason … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am in a committed relationship with a wonderful man. We are not married, but we call each other husband and wife and have two beautiful children together. Our relationship is great. My husband had a different childhood than mine. He didn’t have many friends of the opposite sex. I, on the other … Read more
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 has lost most of his stamina. At this point, everything in our life (friends, family and social life) revolves around his disease. He responds to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m 36 years old and married with three children. I have two siblings I have a good relationship with. The problem is we have a half-sister two years younger than I am who doesn’t know we exist. When my parents were married, my father had an affair with a married woman, and they … Read more
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 me and wouldn’t leave. He’s put me through hell over the years. Stage 4 tongue cancer left him unable to work, which I didn’t have … Read more
DEAR ABBY: On my first date with my husband, he told me his first wife was a “fox.” I thought, “How would I compete?” We are married now, but he has never told me I was pretty or anything close. He’s a great husband, but these things are not in his wheelhouse. Tonight, I was … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband lies to me all the time. It could be about spending money or something as small as forgetting to start the dishwasher. He nearly went too far with a woman from work. I finally spoke up after I felt it was an emotional affair. His response? “Well, you and I weren’t … Read more