Dear Abby: Should I tell my elderly cousin the truth about his parents?

Dear Abby: Should I tell my elderly cousin the truth about his parents?

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I stopped having sexual relations eight years ago. She keeps our two grandchildren 11 to 12 hours a day, five (and sometimes six) days a week. (That’s 60 to 70 hours.) By the time they’re picked up, she’s irritated, agitated, frustrated and wants to be left alone. She doesn’t want … Read more

Dear Abby: My crush is sleeping with me, but thinks being gay is wrong

Dear Abby: My crush is sleeping with me, but thinks being gay is wrong

DEAR ABBY: I’m a young gay man with a problem. I met a cute guy, “Mark,” with a sweet personality, and the sex has been awesome. We spent two consecutive nights together in a hotel, but two days later he went to church, and he’s now convinced that being gay is wrong. Mark still rubs … Read more

Dear Abby: My daughter’s family hates me and it’s affecting my mental health

Dear Abby: My daughter’s family hates me and it’s affecting my mental health

DEAR ABBY: Ten years ago, I connected with “Christi,” a daughter I fathered with a woman I was in a relationship with for a short time decades ago. We split before Christi was born. My ex-girlfriend didn’t tell me about her until after she was born. By that time, she was married to a man … Read more

Dear Abby: My boyfriend is charging me $300 to watch our children

Dear Abby: My boyfriend is charging me 0 to watch our children

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have two children and work opposite evening shifts so that one of us is home with the kids at all times. Recently, my best friend from high school surprised me with concert tickets to our favorite band, but the concert is on a night I’m supposed to be with … Read more

Dear Abby: My father’s declining memory has taken a toll on my parents’ relationship

Dear Abby: My father’s declining memory has taken a toll on my parents’ relationship

DEAR ABBY: As my parents have aged, my father has been misremembering things or making wrong assumptions. It has increasingly gotten on my mom’s nerves (she has also become more impatient and snappy lately), and she has been yelling at him in response. Sometimes, he responds back, but usually he doesn’t.  My sister snapped at … Read more

Dear Abby: My friend and I aren’t on speaking terms because she refused to watch my dog

Dear Abby: My friend and I aren’t on speaking terms because she refused to watch my dog

DEAR ABBY: I had a friend, “Mylene,” for many years. We swapped dog-sitting to offset the cost for each other. I helped her when she was sick and broke her foot. I walked her dog whenever she needed me. If a funeral, wedding or family emergency came up, I was always there for her.  An … Read more

Dear Abby: My daughter is controlling my relationship with her son

Dear Abby: My daughter is controlling my relationship with her son

DEAR ABBY: My daughter won’t allow me to have a relationship with my toddler grandson without constantly interfering. Everything is “no.” She says things like: “Don’t bring him a toy every time you come over — no more toys. No TV. Don’t play the (kids) music too loud. No, he cannot go outside; there are … Read more

Dear Abby: I’m a teacher, and I hate it when parents ask me to write farewell notes to students

Dear Abby: I’m a teacher, and I hate it when parents ask me to write farewell notes to students

DEAR ABBY: I am a teacher. I love my job, and I love my students. However, as I near the end of my 26th year of teaching, there’s something I need to get off my chest. At the end of every school year, many parents ask me to write a personal note to their student … Read more

Dear Abby: I’ve been in a relationship for seven years — but I think she might be the wrong girl

Dear Abby: I’ve been in a relationship for seven years — but I think she might be the wrong girl

DEAR ABBY: I’m a man in my 70s. My girlfriend is eight years younger. We were first introduced 42 years ago by relatives who believed we would be a good match. I was an only child; she was from a broken home. We dated and liked each other, but there were communication problems. I was … Read more

Dear Abby: My best friend is no longer a part of my life, but my wife is still in contact with him

Dear Abby: My best friend is no longer a part of my life, but my wife is still in contact with him

DEAR ABBY: My best friend of more than 10 years, “Ian,” ghosted me! We used to talk about everything — wives, children, jobs. We spent hours together and helped each other sort out our problems. He knew more about me than my wife. With no explanation, he stopped responding to texts and messages and is … Read more

Dear Abby: I kissed my best friend’s husband

Dear Abby: I kissed my best friend’s husband

DEAR ABBY: I’m struggling with my integrity and an important friendship. My friend “Beth’s” husband, “Jerry,” came to my house to help with a construction project. After discussing the project, we sat down to visit for a bit. He was very forward with me and overly affectionate. (It’s been 10 years since I’ve had any … Read more

Dear Abby: My daughter asked for our help, and now we’re being banished

Dear Abby: My daughter asked for our help, and now we’re being banished

DEAR ABBY: Our adult daughter has children we adore. She asked if we could help out by watching them for a few hours occasionally, and we jumped at that. We had done this regularly before the delivery of the newest addition (three months ago), and the kids would occasionally spend the night. With the new … Read more

Dear Abby: I’m trapped in an abusive marriage and falling for my high school ex

Dear Abby: I’m trapped in an abusive marriage and falling for my high school ex

DEAR ABBY: My son is 27. He has had some problems recently that were so serious I reached out to his father. His father and I were teenagers when we had him, so the last time we spoke was 18 years ago. Our relationship was really toxic, which is why we split when we were … Read more

Dear Abby: How do we tell our 20-year-old son to move out?

Dear Abby: How do we tell our 20-year-old son to move out?

DEAR ABBY: Our 20-year-old son works full time and lives with us. He doesn’t do any household chores or pay us anything, not even his car insurance (which he agreed to pay). He then moved his girlfriend in, and after that a dog, without permission. He has anxiety and depression issues, which he thinks he’s … Read more

Dear Abby: I’m debating ending my marriage of 38 years

Dear Abby: I’m debating ending my marriage of 38 years

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 38 years. We have three adult children and four grandchildren. I have always wondered whether I have stayed in the marriage out of obligation and/or because I got a young woman pregnant. I have on many occasions asked myself if I should have ended it and continued on … Read more

Dear Abby: I don’t want to see my son during my vacation

Dear Abby: I don’t want to see my son during my vacation

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I married 20 years ago. We have a blended family of eight kids, but it’s just us now. Our kids are scattered across the country. Over all these 20 years, we have never taken a vacation just for us. We have always visited family. Now, after scrimping, saving and planning, … Read more

Dear Abby: My son invited my sexual assault perpetrator to his wedding

Dear Abby: My son invited my sexual assault perpetrator to his wedding

DEAR ABBY: My child “Logan” is the product of a sexual assault. He has located his father and formed a relationship with him. Logan didn’t know the circumstances of his conception at the time he contacted his father. He has now been made fully aware by our family as to what occurred. Abby, Logan has … Read more

Dear Abby: I think my new husband has Asperger’s and has been lying to me

Dear Abby: I think my new husband has Asperger’s and has been lying to me

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been married to my husband for two months. I haven’t told anyone I’m married except my close friends and family. Someone recently messaged me about my husband, stating that he has Asperger’s. They know my name and have my phone number. I don’t know who this person is or why they would … Read more

Dear Abby: My baby daddy doesn’t want anything to do with our kid

Dear Abby: My baby daddy doesn’t want anything to do with our kid

DEAR ABBY: I had a child with “Richard,” whom I met 10 years ago. I was married at the time but had been separated from my husband, “Eddy,” for nine months. Richard and I hit it off well; I was very attracted to him. Five months after we met, I accidentally became pregnant. When Richard … Read more