DEAR ABBY: I am a 47-year-old male, married for 26 years. I am hopelessly in love with my wife and still see her as the most beautiful woman in the world. I have always been self-employed and have sometimes been at the extremes of feast or famine. During the bad times, I often worked 110-plus-hour […]

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are contemplating starting a family. When I was younger I wanted children, but over the years my personal experiences have caused trepidation. Because of divorce and the custody battles of my older siblings, I know the amount of blood, sweat and tears that go into children. I work in […]

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 17 years. For the most part, our marriage has been great, and I love her very much. Lately, though, I have felt that our sexual and emotional intimacy has been lacking. I spoke to her about it recently and tried to explain how I feel. She […]

DEAR ABBY: I was raised that a person’s birthday is his or her day to do whatever he or she wants, but my wishes are being ignored by a close friend I’ll call Wade. For the last 10 years I have ignored my birthday and tried to avoid all celebrations. I’ll take a vacation alone […]

DEAR ABBY: My daughter died in a car accident two years ago. She and her boyfriend, “Reed,” had a 4-month-old daughter, “Angela.” Since then, Reed has been very understanding and liberal with visitations. However, it didn’t take him long to find another girlfriend, who has a 4-year-old daughter I’ll call Madison. The first time I […]

DEAR ABBY: My daughter was married eight months ago. During the planning of the wedding, her fiance was very involved in every aspect of decision-making. Soon after the vows were exchanged, her new husband became cold and distant toward her. He would constantly tell her she made him miserable, and he allowed his mother to […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 14-year-old girl. I don’t understand why adults tell me to be an independent thinker, to embrace myself, and then put me down for not conforming. Why is it outrageous to come to your own conclusions, speculate, challenge accepted ideas or find your own faith? It would be easier to quietly nod […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 50-year-old man who is serving time for robbery in West Virginia. Every day I wake up acting as if I am in control and don’t have a care in the world. The truth is, I’m scared, lonely and feel totally helpless. All my life I have lived on the dark side […]

DEAR ABBY: I would like to know what the fascination is with putting plugs in one’s earlobes. I have seen some as large as half dollar coins. What does the person do if he regrets having done this to his ears? Can the holes be surgically closed? — UNPIERCED IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. DEAR UNPIERCED: I […]

DEAR ABBY: I have just discovered that my granddaughter’s mother helped her get a Facebook page on which she is listed as 17, interested in men and in a relationship. The child is only 11, but you’d never know it from the makeup and hairdo in her photo. I am heartbroken that she is being […]