DEAR ABBY: My sister “Thea” has distanced herself from the family. I understand why she did. Our parents were mentally, physically and emotionally abusive while we were growing up, with one who instigated the issues and the other taking it out on us kids. I feel stuck in the middle of chaos. My parents have […]
Dear Abby
Posted inDear Abby
Son’s visitation will include meeting Mom’s live-in beau
DEAR ABBY: I am going through a nasty divorce. My sons, ages 4, 11 and 12, live with my husband, 1,000 miles away. They will be with me for summer vacation. This will be the longest stay they will have with me, and I’m not going to lie — I am excited and nervous at […]
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Dear Abby: Criticism of funeral attire causes family rift
DEAR ABBY: My father recently passed away. I wanted to be sure I was appropriately dressed for his funeral, so I shopped for the most conservative outfit I could find. When I arrived at the service, I was taken aback by what my sister-in-law was wearing. I told her I didn’t think her dress was […]
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Connection to former in-laws fades over time, remarriage
DEAR ABBY: I was married to my first husband for 13 years and was very close to his family. His parents and sister were like my own. We ended up divorcing, and it was an extremely painful situation on both sides. His family wanted to stay in touch with me afterward because they still loved […]
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Son is gone but not forgotten after leaving clothes behind
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are seniors who look forward to visits from our adult children. The problem is our oldest son. He visits every few months and leaves belongings behind. He uses our guest room, where he has claimed much of the closet, several dresser drawers, the guest bathroom vanity and even part […]
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Invitations from friend are declined for safety reasons
DEAR ABBY: I have a former co-worker whose husband was just released from a psychiatric facility. He had threatened to kill himself and take the entire family with him. I met him before the incident. He did not seem balanced then, and I was uncomfortable being around him. Since his release, my friend keeps inviting […]
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Wife in love with girlfriend resolves to end her marriage
DEAR ABBY: I’m married to a man 21 years my senior. “Joe” and I have been married six years. I have recently realized I’m gay and have fallen in love with another woman. Although Joe isn’t infirm or mentally deficient, he has a hard time making decisions on his own. He’ll read something, hand it […]
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Friend refuses to help plan dinner she’s not invited to
DEAR ABBY: My best friend of 40 years has asked me to fly to her son’s wedding in a few months, arrive early to help with everything and not be included in the rehearsal dinner. I explained that I’m not going to spend more than $1,000 to fly out early, stay in a hotel, rent […]
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Woman’s sticky fingers make continued friendship awkward
DEAR ABBY: I think a person in my life, “Janine,” has kleptomania. I have seen her take things from my house, and I know she steals clothing from stores (as evidenced by the security clips still on them). A friend witnessed her take boxes of doughnuts from my wedding. When my friend confronted her about […]
Posted inAdvice, bPlus, Dear Abby
Dear Abby: Mom gets shabby treatment at son’s wedding
DEAR ABBY: My son was married eight months ago. He and I were close but had problems in the past. His bride left me out of the wedding pictures. It began at the bridal shower, when I noticed she didn’t want me to be in the pictures. Until that point I thought I was close […]