DEAR ABBY: Whenever I see a pregnant woman or an elderly person in line behind me who seems uncomfortable or tired, I always want to let them go ahead of me. Is this regarded as a nice gesture, or does it make them feel pathetic and helpless? I do it with the best intentions, but […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 12-year-old girl who loves music and electronics. I sit on the swing and listen to music on my iPod through my earbuds. I do it at least a half-hour every day — sometimes more. When my grandma visited a few weeks ago, she tried to talk to me when I was […]

DEAR ABBY: My sisters and I grew up in a horrible household with our mother. She was not only OK with the severe abuse and neglect we suffered, she encouraged it. Now grown up, my sisters have moved out of state and have no contact with her. My contact with Mom is limited although I […]

DEAR ABBY: I’m writing to respond to the letter from the mother of the 12-year-old boy whose grandmother can’t spell his name right. (“His Name Is Joe!”; Jan. 4). The same thing happened to my husband. His grandmother spells his name with a C instead of a K. I have always put K on our […]

DEAR ABBY: Several years ago you printed a poem about forgiveness in your column. It described very well the benefits of the practice, and it was accompanied by a sort of “forgiveness schedule” for every day of the week. I clipped the column and saved it, but over time I seem to have lost it. […]

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are in our 30s and have been happily married for almost six years. After two years of trying, we’re finally expecting our first child. The problem is, how do we handle questions as to whether or not we conceived naturally? I am appalled by people we hardly know asking […]

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, “Jackson,” and I have been in a long-distance relationship for two years. We recently learned that we both have been accepted to our “dream” college, which means we’ll live close to each other for the first time. I’m excited, but nervous about what the adjustment will be like. Jackson is my […]

DEAR ABBY: I am a 64-year-old healthy widow with no children. I retired a year ago after a successful 42-year career. I am financially sound. I couldn’t wait to retire because my job was demanding, and toward the end it had become extremely stressful. About two months into retirement — and after taking a few […]

DEAR ABBY: My 10-year-old son has a school friend, “Jeremy,” who seems like a sweet, smart kid. I have seen Jeremy’s dad interact with him both in and out of school. The man talks down to him and speaks harshly. This sweet boy appears to be verbally beaten down, and it makes my heart ache. […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married 18 years. In that time my husband has been unfaithful twice. Last week I was going through his cellphone and noticed from his emails that he had registered on a dating service and was exchanging photos with four women. I threw him out of the house. What really upsets […]