DEAR ABBY: I am a woman in an exclusive, committed relationship with “Vince.” We have talked about a future together and getting married. My only issue is I can’t seem to keep him off of dating sites. Even when I catch Vince red-handed, he’ll deny it or blame it on his friend “using his ID.”

I have asked him over and over to delete the sites, but he won’t. He continues to tell me he’s in love with me and wants only me. He says I’m the woman of his dreams. If that’s true, there should be no need for him to look anymore, right?

Please help me understand his obsession, and if there are any tools I can use to be more effective to talk to Vince about this. — FUMING IN FLORIDA

DEAR FUMING: Your communication tools are just fine. Your ability to recognize when someone is stringing you along is what needs improvement.

You may feel you are in a committed relationship, but Vince appears to be less committed than you are. Worse, he also has a problem telling the truth. If Vince wanted only you and was ready to settle down, he wouldn’t compulsively look online to see who else is available.

DEAR ABBY: I’m conflicted about my role in supporting my children through the death of my ex-wife. We divorced 25 years ago. There was no significant other in her life. I would like to support them emotionally, but I feel the burial, funeral, etc., are matters for their family and her relatives.

My question is, am I right? And how soon should I go and be with my children? We have been in close touch, and I believe they know that I care and I’m here for them. They live across the country, so the distance and cost of transportation are concerns. — CONFLICTED IN TEXAS

DEAR CONFLICTED: I’m sure no one expects you to contribute financially to the funeral of someone from whom you have been divorced for a quarter of a century. However, you should ask your adult children if they would like you to attend for emotional support. Because they are all grown and presumably busy with their lives, if your presence isn’t needed at the funeral, you could schedule a family reunion at a time when it’s convenient for all of you.

DEAR ABBY: What do I do about a friend who often interrupts a conversation to check his phone and look up the topic on the Internet? He then adds to — or corrects — the discussion we are having. It’s starting to ruin the friendship. Any advice? — OVERCORRECTED IN TEXAS

DEAR OVERCORRECTED: Whether someone doing this is offensive or not depends upon the spirit in which it’s being done. Your friend may not be certain that what he — or you — is saying is correct and he wants to verify it. Often when people check information online, they find more information on the subject. Your friend may be doing it in the spirit of helpfulness. My husband and I do this with each other often, and neither of us is offended.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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