DEAR ABBY: I chaired an event with a local service organization. Many hours were exhausted with planning and decorating. During the program, a few members playfully started throwing some items from the centerpieces at the guest speakers. By the end of the program, most of the room’s centerpieces were dismantled and on the floor. My […]

DEAR ABBY: Our friend “Carrie” revealed to our close friend group that for the last few years she has been having an affair with her best friend “Julia’s” husband. Their kids are best friends, and they spend a lot of time together, even taking family vacations. We have told Carrie many times how this can […]

DEAR ABBY: My sister, whom I dearly love, is going through some difficult times. She confides in me about her troubles, and I gladly listen and give advice. Although I am willing to listen and help, I feel she would really benefit from seeing a therapist to help her overcome some of her challenges. I […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to “Ellis,” a wonderful man, for a year and a half. This is a second marriage for each of us. My older children are on their own. Ellis has three boys (ages 15, 21 and 23) who live with us. The oldest is autistic. My husband and his ex-wife, […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m the mom of an 18-year-old daughter, “Leia.” We have always tried to keep the lines of communication open with our children, and we have what I think is a strong, positive familial bond. My best friend recently informed me that Leia has an Instagram account that’s publicly accessible. I can’t find her […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for quite a long time, and I am seriously contemplating walking away from it. We no longer have anything in common. I’m active and hike, bike, play golf and lift weights. My wife is 100% sedentary and wants no part of any of these activities that could keep us […]

DEAR ABBY: Many months ago, a family member’s husband was charged with possession of and distributing more than 10,000 items of child pornography. The police and Department of Homeland Security raided their home and seized computers, cellphones and other devices. He was arrested and spent about a week in jail. He hired a very good […]

DEAR ABBY: I caught my husband talking on the phone to another woman. I heard him say, “Get some sleep, sweetheart,” and “Thank you for being my companion.” When I called him on it, he claimed nothing was happening and he had used the wrong words. He admitted to whom he was talking, and I […]

DEAR ABBY: My 98-year-old mother has spent the last eight years in a nursing home. My siblings and I placed her there when her health declined to a point where it was no longer safe for her to live alone. Her mind is sharp, but she has a hard time getting around and caring for […]

DEAR ABBY: My wife continually dirties the floors in our home because she refuses to stop wearing shoes in the house. She’ll be out all day — at work, running errands, etc. — and then come home and keep her same shoes on. She has even done yard work and then come inside wearing those […]