DEAR ABBY: I am the mother of a daughter, “Rebecca,” I placed for adoption when I was a teenager. Long story short, we have reunited. We not only have a wonderful relationship, but I have a great relationship with Rebecca’s adoptive mom, and my husband and children (with my husband) all have an open and […]

DEAR ABBY: My aunt frequently cuts people out of her life for perceived slights — small, large and imagined. A few years ago, she got into a fight with my dad (her brother). Somehow, the rest of my family got cut out, too. Guilt by association, I guess. She has done it to me so […]

DEAR ABBY: After many years of trying to keep our family together, divorce is our final option. My husband has had two affairs that I know of during our 30-year marriage. They hurt me deeply. We’ve had lots of counseling, but we can’t get past the damage and breakdown in communication. Should I tell our […]

DEAR ABBY: The daughter of a friend is getting married and sent an email announcement with a link to watch a livestream of the ceremony. I have never been invited to NOT attend an event before, and frankly, my feelings are hurt. (My husband was an incredible artist. Should I send a livestream of others […]

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have a daughter, “Liz,” who is our life. She’s 28 and a nurse. Her boyfriend, “Owen,” used to be a heavy cannabis user. My wife suspects he still uses it when he gets “stressed.” He is also a gambler. We have tried to give Owen a chance. He had […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 50-year-old man, married for 17 years with two kids. I have a mostly good marriage, but I have been noticing things that bother me. Almost daily, my wife seems to insult me or make a sarcastic comment. I work long hours because of the nature of my job, which my wife […]

DEAR ABBY: I worked for 11 years in the accounting department of a busy law firm. During my tenure, my three much younger colleagues married and started families. Due to the inevitable trials of raising kids, planned, unplanned and often simultaneous absences became commonplace, which left me to run the department alone. During my last […]

DEAR ABBY: My mother is toxic. She had a terrible childhood, and she takes it out on me and my younger siblings. I live far away; they live in the same town as she does. If they don’t drop everything for her and do what she wants, she calls them selfish. Because I had to […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been in a relationship with “Ben” for 13 years, but I have been to his parents’ home only twice. I really love him. We never go anywhere or do anything together. He has never given me a gift for any occasion or “just because.” Material things don’t matter to me, but […]

DEAR ABBY: My 25-year-old son lives with his two girlfriends, who are also romantically involved with each other. They share a single bedroom. One of them has a baby due this week, and the other has made noises about wanting a child. I don’t approve of this arrangement and can’t see it ending well. I […]