Man wrapped up in girlfriend ignores grandpa DEAR ABBY: My wife and I were visiting our children and grandson, “Rhett,” age 24. Rhett is a college student who lives at home. He had his girlfriend, “Peggy,” who lives in another town, at the house for the weekend. Rhett and Peggy retired to his room early […]

Displays of affection between parents, children win praise DEAR ABBY: Thank you for your response to “Alarmed in Apple Valley” (Aug. 28), who was concerned because her teenage nephew shows so much affection toward his mother. I raised a very affectionate son who, to this day at age 30, hugs and kisses me no matter […]

Mom longs to have empty nest to herself DEAR ABBY: I have a 19-year-old daughter, “Caitlin,” whom I love very much. Despite a few rocky periods, we have a great relationship. Caitlin moved in with her fiance shortly after she turned 18, and they were married a few months ago. After she left, I went […]

 DEAR ABBY: I have strong feelings about the word “love.” I use it only when I truly mean it. My husband’s family, however, bandies it about as a common word. How does one respond when someone says “I love you” when you know he or she doesn’t mean it and is only saying it as […]

Don’t forget those batteries when ‘falling back’ DEAR ABBY: As a fire officer, I have seen far too many families fall victim to accidental home fires. It is devastating to find out that a life could have been saved if someone had only taken that simple step of replacing a dead battery in a smoke […]

Multitasking daughter is driving to disaster DEAR ABBY: My daughter insists that she’s a “multitasker” — too busy to telephone or text except when she’s driving. It scares me to be in the passenger seat while she’s talking on the phone or picking up toys the baby has dropped from his car seat. I told […]

Special-needs children require special parents DEAR ABBY: On Aug. 10 you printed a letter from an aunt who was upset because her sister, the mother of a child with autism, doesn’t have time to join in fundraising with her and the rest of the family. While I commend the writer and her family for raising […]

Woman’s predatory boss is eager to score DEAR ABBY: I attended a business-related function with my boss and some co-workers. I had way too much to drink and ended up having sex with my boss. (He offered me a ride to my car and took advantage of me.) If I had been sober, it would […]

Man of her dreams needs wake-up call DEAR ABBY: I’m engaged to the man of my dreams. Our wedding is two months away, and I couldn’t be more excited about starting my life with “Jeff.” Only one thing bothers me. When the two of us eat alone together, Jeff throws his manners out the window. […]

Husband insists on repeating cruel prophecy DEAR ABBY: My brother, “Luke,” died young due to drug addiction. When our son, “Adam,” misbehaves, my husband blames me. He says Adam is going to end up “just like Luke,” and it will be my fault. My mother bailed my brother out of his problems, but I have […]