DEAR ABBY: I have been married to “Carla” for 16 years. It’s my second marriage. My problem is I never see her. She has always spent more time with her mother than with me. We see each other for about an hour a day after she returns from her mom’s, usually at 9:45 to 10 […]
Dear Abby
Daughter asks to be relieved of obligation to visit her dad
DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced woman with a teenaged daughter. I maintain a good relationship with my ex-husband and his family, and still consider them my family. The problem is, my ex and our daughter have a strained relationship, mostly because he makes little effort to spend time with her. He doesn’t attend her […]
Sister-in-law is the one with a problem
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to a wonderful man for 20 years. He adopted my oldest son, and we have three kids together. All of our children are loved and accepted by his extended family; my in-laws refer to me as their daughter. Everything is fine with the exception of my husband’s brother “Todd” […]
Teen seeks right approach to gender-bending classmate
DEAR ABBY: I am 17 and a senior in high school. During freshman year, one of my classmates was a boy I’ll call “Alex.” This year, I have been told that Alex has changed his name to “Aly,” a more feminine name. Aly now sometimes dresses like a girl and sometimes like a boy. What […]
Curious wife finds a surprise in husband’s medical records
DEAR ABBY: I recently started working at the hospital where my husband receives his primary care. One afternoon, out of curiosity, I accessed his medical records. In his file it was noted that he is high risk for STDs. In fact, he was treated for two different ones some years back. I have been tested […]
Compulsive shoplifter knows it’s wrong, but just can’t stop
DEAR ABBY: I need help! I have shoplifted several times. I was caught and have a police record. I am a grandparent. I know it’s wrong, and I don’t do it all the time. Is this a mental disorder, or am I just being stupid? If I know this is wrong, why do I keep […]
Colleague’s texts suggest she has more in mind than work
DEAR ABBY: My husband is a handsome executive who works out of town. I’m a professional with a responsible job that limits my ability to travel. I needed to borrow his phone recently and noticed that one of his colleagues has been textinghim after hours. She asks if he has traveled safely, tells him she […]
Ultrasound baby picture gets a negative reaction
DEAR ABBY: Do you know why people nowadays feel the need to announce their pregnancies via ultrasound pictures? I’m sorry, but I really don’t want to see all that. I guess some folks think the image of a blurry, black-and-white fetus is “darling.” But to me, all I see is an up-close-and-personal snapshot of a […]
Traumatic breakup leaves teen looking for a lifeline
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 17-year-old girl who recently broke up with my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years. During the time we were together we shared many experiences, including a miscarriage. Now he wants to be alone. He doesn’t want to date or have any relationship because he says he feels “love is different now.” I’m […]
Husband’s demands are childish and selfish
DEAR ABBY: My husband has many wonderful qualities. However, he’s obsessed with my always being instantly available when he calls or texts my cellphone. I don’t carry it with me every minute of the day. At work I can be busy taking orders, dealing with clients, having a conference with my boss or using the […]