DEAR ABBY: I married “Larry” five years ago, and he is good to me. I have two beautiful grandchildren who are my daughter’s. If I don’t see them once a week I miss them. (They are 2 1/2 and 16 months old.) Larry doesn’t miss the babies or want to see them once a week. […]

DEAR ABBY: A couple of years ago, my husband informed me that he likes to dress in women’s clothing. Since then he has read books, is seeing a counselor, and the reality is, he is transgender. He now wears his hair long and has long fingernails. I have tried to be understanding and have gone […]

DEAR ABBY: Christmas is coming, and I dread it. I have only my brother, his wife and their kids. I’m on Social Security disability and I barely make it each month. They buy me gifts, but I feel embarrassed to accept them because I can’t buy anything for them. It makes me feel small. Even […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m 16 and come from a devout Roman Catholic family. My parents have taken my brother and me to church every Sunday without fail my entire life. We pray before meals, before school, at bedtime and at other times every day. My room is filled with religious objects. As far as I know, […]

DEAR ABBY: My 17-year-old daughter, “Erica,” is planning to marry her 24-year-old boyfriend. I use the term “boyfriend” loosely because their relationship consists entirely of texting, talking on the phone and the Internet. There has been no dating or getting to know each other in person. Erica is intent on marrying this man even though […]

DEAR ABBY: As the education director of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, I work hard to encourage safe and courteous cycling for everyday transportation in Northern California. There are a number of points I would like to address to “Caring Reader, Sacramento, Calif.” (Sept. 13). ”Caring” described seeing bicyclists run stop signs, not wear protective […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m considering marrying a man who is divorced. We get along great, and I love and trust him. Is it ever appropriate to call the ex and discuss her side of the story? Or should I ask my boyfriend what she’d say if I were to contact her? — COVERING MY BASES IN […]

DEAR ABBY: I am a single 25-year-old man with a 15-month-old son. I didn’t plan on having any children, but my son is everything to me. His mother and I did not work out well living together. We had different priorities and personalities and could not comfortably coexist. I have no ill will toward “Andrea.” […]

DEAR ABBY: I was laid off from work, but my husband, “Keith,” works full-time in a factory. We live with his parents. By the time Keith gets home from work and gets cleaned up, it’s time to eat dinner. Immediately afterward, we always follow the same routine: We go in our bedroom and he goes […]