DEAR ABBY: I have been dating my boyfriend, “Derek,” for four years. After a night of emotion-filled discussion, he asked me to marry him. I said yes, but it has always been a difficult idea for me to wrap my head around. I’m turning 21 and although that may be old enough for some people […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 24-year-old teacher and graduate student. I have started dating a new man, “Winston,” who makes me feel incredible. We have crazy chemistry like I’ve never had before, and our personalities work perfectly together. Here’s the problem. Winston is a recovering heroin addict with horrible credit and two felony charges related to […]

DEAR ABBY: Do you have any information or advice on how to talk to my 12-year-old stepdaughter about sex? I have a pretty good idea about where to take the conversation. I don’t plan to make it a big deal — not so serious as to scare her, but not too lighthearted either. You never […]

DEAR ABBY: I am a partially disabled person in my 70s. Because of arthritis in my spine and hip, I’m able to stand for only a few minutes and walk only 20 to 30 feet. When I know I am going to be someplace that requires more walking or standing, I use my wheelchair. My […]

DEAR ABBY: I have just learned that my sister’s husband of 35 years (I’ll call him George) hasn’t filed their personal income taxes going back a number of years. This has caused a lot of stress and anxiety for my sister, who recently underwent breast cancer treatment. Apparently, he hasn’t filed because of his inability […]

DEAR ABBY: My husband has stage 4 cancer and is in constant pain. A big worry for him is my being alone in life after his passing. Several months ago when the subject came up, I told him that while I’m not a prophet, I know I’ll be OK. I’m a social person. I have […]

DEAR ABBY: How do I forgive myself for staying with my husband “for the sake of the kids” and because I was afraid of him? Our children are teenagers now and both suffer from low self-esteem and depression. We lived far away from any family while they were growing up, and I was financially dependent […]

DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend has been divorced for two years. She shares custody of her two girls, ages 5 and 6, with her ex. She wants to remain friends with him for the sake of the girls. I have supported her friendly relationship with him despite the repeated lies he tells and the deceptive stories […]

DEAR ABBY: I moved away from my hometown 18 years ago. At the time, a friend of mine had found out she was HIV-positive. Thankfully, healthwise she’s doing well. To look at her you would never know. We have reconnected, but I have recently learned that she had several relationships in the past and didn’t […]