DEAR ABBY: I am fed up with my father’s hoarding. Junk is piled everywhere, and our cat has twice gotten hurt in the piles. If there is a spare corner, junk is thrown in it. When I try to say anything, Dad gets defensive over his “stuff,” and my mother defends his “pack rat” ways. […]
Dear Abby
Posted inDear Abby
Four’s a crowd when daughters visit dad and his new partner
DEAR ABBY: I’m 16 and have a 13-year-old sister. Our parents are divorced, and we live with our mother. We used to see our dad on visitations every other weekend, but he moved away, so now we see him for two weeks in the summer and one week during Christmas. We talk to him a […]
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Flowers meant to ease grief cause only heartache instead
DEAR ABBY: My father-in-law died two weeks ago. The services were beautiful. Many people sent flowers, but one arrangement — a bouquet of white flowers — arrived anonymously. I didn’t think much about it, just that someone wanted to express sympathy. Now my mother-in-law has become frantic with concern about the flowers. She sobs over […]
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Contractor wants to fire his wife, but save his marriage
DEAR ABBY: I am a self-employed general contractor, and have been for the most part successful. My wife, “Janine,” worked in the mortgage industry, but because of the economic downturn hasn’t worked in three years. After her mom provided some financial help to my business eight months ago, Janine decided she wanted to work for […]
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Harried phone survey taker pleads for a little respect
DEAR ABBY: I’m hoping you will pass this on to your readers. Many of us these days have to work two jobs to make ends meet. In addition to a full-time job, I work a second one in a call center. Yes, I’m one of those dreaded people who call and ask you to do […]
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Help is plentiful for military veterans going back to school
DEAR ABBY: This letter is for “Torn in Milford, Conn.” (May 16). I returned to college after 20 years of active duty and know firsthand how difficult the transition can be. Most universities have a veterans’ service office where he might be able to connect with students with similar backgrounds and experiences to his. There […]
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Grandma calls halt to last-minute baby-sitting
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 60-year-old grandmother of eight wonderful grandchildren, ranging in age from 2 to 24. My question is about baby-sitting. I believe my children think we OWE them baby-sitting duties. I don’t mind baby-sitting once in a while, when I feel like it. But I don’t feel like it when the parents want […]
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Teen bemoans the influence boyfriend has on her mother
DEAR ABBY: I am a 17-year-old girl who lives with my mother and my mother’s boyfriend. This man has changed my world, and not for the better. The one person I ever cared about has practically turned against me. My mom tried killing herself for this man and chose him over me after she was […]
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Summer fun at the beach can turn tragic in blink of an eye
DEAR ABBY: I have been a lifeguard for more than 30 years, and I continually see parents and other adults putting children in harm’s way. Would you please remind your readers that they need to be vigilant around water? A drowning is nothing like they show in the movies. As you take your family to […]
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Pets on a plane often suffer rough rides through airport
DEAR ABBY: I travel a lot in my work with animal protection. Often I’ll encounter dogs and cats in distress as soon as I reach the airport. Distracted by their own thoughts, their owners seldom realize they’re upsetting the pets they’re carrying through the terminal. Animal carriers are carelessly swung to and fro, banged against […]