DEAR ABBY: My wife recently immigrated to our current residence in the U.S. from Canada. She has a 23-year-old son dealing with mental illness back in Canada. He refuses to remain in therapy or to hold a steady job, and he failed out of university. My wife consistently lowers her expectations and continues to support … Read more
DEAR ABBY: For the past three years, my family has had reunions with my older half-sister, “Sybil.” We did not grow up together, and we have very different lifestyles. I grew up with little money and numerous hardships; Sybil grew up having every need and want met. She’s successful and wealthy. I am proud of … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A longtime friend recently accused me of lying about my education, and I’m still stunned by it. I completed my undergraduate studies in the U.S., earning a BA, and later earned a master’s degree from a French university. Recently, during an exchange on Facebook, my friend asserted, quite confidently, that I was lying … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I spent the morning at a close friend’s home. She is in her early 80s and starting to show some mental decline and memory problems. Her children are in their 30s and still live at home. Her husband is also in his 80s. While there, I noticed how, at every opportunity, the kids … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have a neurological disorder and can no longer keep up with my friends (who used to be my friends). I don’t explain the problems I have and why I can’t do the things I used to do unless they ask. I still drive, but I have trouble walking. I have a wonderful … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband is very temperamental. When something goes wrong with his meal or service at a restaurant, or when he’s driving and gets upset with another driver, he angrily vents to me nonstop, repeating the same things over and over. This happens only when we’re alone, not when friends or family members are … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have been happily married for 28 years but have not been intimate with my wife for the last eight of them. It all came to a halt when we prioritized raising our (four) children. We had been intimate on a regular basis for 20 years until it slowly faded and then stopped. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have a situation with this guy I’ve known for five years. We dated in the summer of sixth grade, but it wasn’t serious, and we broke up after a month. But we always kept in touch and had secret feelings for each other. We have never done anything more than talk and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been in a long-distance relationship for almost six years, engaged for two, and I love my fiancé. But the thought of moving out west after spending so much time on the East Coast is really intimidating. It means leaving my parents behind, especially with my dad being sick in the hospital for … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a 35-year-old woman who’s never been in any sort of relationship with a man and, yes, I’m a virgin. For some reason, I am surrounded by women at school and at work. The one time I tried dating a colleague, it turned into the office romance from hell. I was publicly … Read more
DEAR ABBY: One of our co-workers doesn’t want to be a closer friend even though at work we say we love each other. We want to take the friendship to a deeper level, but she hesitates when we try to hang out outside of work. She has a mansion that many people in our office … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My cousin’s son, “Troy,” is being married in eight months. I just received the “save the date,” and I’m trying to decide whether to attend. The wedding is out of state, requiring travel and a hotel. Troy and I haven’t spoken in years. He has never shown an interest in getting to know … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have fallen out with my best friend of 20 years, and I’m not sure how to proceed. A few years ago, she started a new job and became too busy for chats or to catch up. However, whenever we do manage to chat or catch up, she wades in with advice and … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Six months ago, I started spending time with a woman I knew casually for about a year following her traumatic breakup with her ex-boyfriend. At first, we were just friends, but it quickly progressed as we opened up and shared everything about ourselves with each other. She continued insisting we were “just friends” … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My wife is having an affair with an old flame from when she was in high school. He was just released from prison after serving time for murder. I have forgiven her, but I told her to stop the contact. She said she’d rather divorce me than do that; I would have to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My favorite aunt was dying. Her daughter is my favorite cousin, so I texted her almost every day with encouragement. When the doctor said the end was near, I backed off messaging to give the family space to themselves. Thirteen days later, I received a text with a photograph of my aunt’s grave. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: Seven months ago, my son filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years. Three months ago, he introduced us to “Carlene.” Abby, the woman has five children with three different men and is currently married to her second husband. (She filed for divorce two months ago.) She has custody of only two … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m a Christian. I’ve raised my family to be Christians, and they have raised theirs to be Christians, even though we may not all be members of the same denomination. One of my grandsons believes that his denomination is the only one and the rest of us are all sinners. He and his … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A former boyfriend, “Ray,” is an alcoholic. He has been through rehab twice, but it didn’t do any good. He won’t stop. He keeps saying we’ll work it out. I don’t understand why Ray can’t get it through his head that I no longer want to be with him. I gave him two … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for decades. My husband, who has always been very overweight, has made many promises to remedy it with no follow-through. He continues to overeat and avoid physical activity, while constantly complaining about aches, pains and fatigue. Frequently, when we go out, he wolfs down his food, … Read more