DEAR ABBY: My twin sister and her husband are expecting their first child. I run a small business with my father. Although I work hard, neither of them seems to see or acknowledge my efforts. They consider me to be “sponging” off my father. They also disapprove of my relationship with my boyfriend because we … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have three grown children and seven grandchildren. I have solid relationships with my oldest and youngest, their spouses and their children. My middle daughter, “Hope,” has always been distant. I’ve tried for years to build a relationship with her and her children. Hope has suffered from mental and physical illness most of … Read more
DEAR ABBY: A year ago, a supposed friend of mine asked to borrow some money. Her husband had left the country so he could renew his visa to come back and work. They have kids. The wife’s car was repossessed while he was gone, and she had no way to get to work. She borrowed … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I are the proud parents of a popular, beautiful, charming and usually well-meaning 16-year-old girl. However, some of her recent behavior is causing serious concern. “Lindsey” is part of her class’s “in” crowd. Still, she’s engaging and friendly to everyone, which is a value my wife and I have worked … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m 34 years old and have been diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar disorder. I have been in treatment for years with a psychiatrist and a therapist, and I take my medication daily as instructed. I do not drink or use drugs. I am committed to my mental health to prove that people like me … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I went out to run errands, and when I returned home, I found a political sign in our front yard. It seems a candidate asked my husband for a pledge of support, and he agreed to place the sign in our front yard without consulting me. Because of my job, I have always … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My mom and my wonderful canine companion passed away within six months. My husband has battled addiction for years. I discovered the extent of it after I had two small children and was ending our marriage. He went to AA, sobered up and was wonderful for the next 10 years. During that time, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a man in his 60s who lost his wife two years ago to a heart attack. I have fallen in love with my cousin, who is also in her 60s, divorced and a lawyer. Is it reasonable for me to ask her to go with me on dates? Can a man … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a man in my late 60s who hasn’t had a family birthday party since I was a child. My mother’s birthday is seven days from mine, so celebrations were always for her, and mine were sort of lost in the shuffle. This was never a problem for me when I was … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My fiance gets annoyed and calls it weird that I talk to my daughter every morning on my way to work and in the afternoon on my way home. She’s a wife and young mother of two, ages 1 and 4. I’m proud of how well she is doing. I work full time, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My two youngest children have special needs. Both have the mentality of a seven- or eight-year-old. Today, my daughter (13) told the school counselor that her brother (15) has been touching her inappropriately. I feel like I’m reliving a nightmare. Six years ago, my oldest son touched her. He was charged and tried … Read more
DEAR ABBY: As an 80-year-old man, I’m up against a problem I cannot deal with. I’ve been married to an amazing lady for 57 years, whom I love to death. She has put up with a lot from me, and I am so grateful. Now it’s my turn, and I’m falling woefully short. Her mother … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been in a relationship with a man for three years and living with him for the past two. He has two married daughters and seven grandkids. Before I entered his life, he had an open-door policy. He allowed them to visit whenever they wanted, and they still have keys to his house. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I moved 2,000 miles to be near my daughter and her family. One of my granddaughters, “Libby,” was diagnosed with a medical condition and has put on some weight. I was at my daughter’s and was going to mention my concern for my granddaughter’s weight. Before I could finish, my son-in-law came in, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: All members of my family are white. When my children were smaller, an incident occurred at a family holiday. One relative has a history of making racist comments, so this time we told everyone that if it happened again, we would leave. He did, and we left. My husband raised his voice at … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a 79-year-old woman who, over time, has suffered the loss of several family members. Now I’m facing the worst loss imaginable. A year ago, my 24-year-old grandson “Rafe” cut himself off from his father and from me. Until then, we had been a close, loving family who did things together. Rafe … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 16 years, married for 14. I was injured in a bad car wreck 12 years ago, and I stockpiled the leftover pain medicine. We scheduled a cruise nine years ago, and I was going to take a few with me just in case. When I … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married for 20 years. She’s an academic, and we’ve lived a transient lifestyle to accommodate her career. She had a greater professional vision than I ever did, so I opted to stay at home and raise the children. I became Mr. Mom at great social cost. It … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My father is in his mid-80s. He has been to the hospital several times in the last month because of age-related medical conditions. A family member is vacationing here and wants to stay at dad’s house for a week instead of a hotel or bed-and-breakfast. Dad told me he’s not feeling up to … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am a retired executive chef, divorced for many years with three adult children. My son was also an executive chef, but no longer. He is a mean alcoholic. He stays drunk when not at his job, and he says cruel and nasty things to all family members. His older sister has written … Read more