DEAR ABBY: I was recently invited to a friend’s home for dinner. When I arrived just a few minutes past the time I was told the meal would be served, I found that everyone had finished eating. I was asked if I’d like something to eat and offered a plate, but refused because I would […]

Girl who needs adult help swears friend to secrecy DEAR ABBY: I’m 10 years old and worried about my friend “Kelly.” Her father has fought in two wars and suffers from PTSD, and when he loses it, he hits her. I really want to tell someone who can help her, but she wants to “keep […]

Dad sells family heirlooms to impress new girlfriend DEAR ABBY: My mother passed away last year, and my whole world has been rocked. To make it worse, my father has been acting like a little boy. Soon after Mom’s death, he met a woman. Since then, he has not included me and my siblings in […]

Layoff is a blow to man’s self-esteem and marriage DEAR ABBY: I have started a promising career I thoroughly enjoy. But my husband, “Derrick,” has been laid off from his job due to the economy. I love Derrick with all my heart. I hate to see him hurting. I keep reminding him that he’s still […]

Wife dreams of dressing husband in lacy lingerie DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently watched a comedy that featured men cross-dressing. Ever since, I have had a burning desire to have my husband wear sexy lingerie and makeup. There is nothing effeminate about him, but I can’t get this out of my head. I […]

Parents of ‘problem’ children share mom’s secret shame DEAR ABBY: Please print this for “Ashamed in California” (March 28), who feels tremendous guilt for “not loving” her hard-to-manage son. I’m a psychotherapist and the mother of two boys, one of whom is “difficult.” The reason “Ashamed” hasn’t heard other moms admit to having negative feelings […]

DEAR ABBY: I became an unwed mother many years ago, when there was a stigma attached to having an illegitimate child. Unable to care for my son, I placed him for adoption. He has now found me. I have a family, and my husband does not want me to tell our adult children or contact […]

BC-SELF-HEALTH-DIETDECTIVE:MI – lifestyle, xtop (1000 words) Diet Detective’ Charles Stuart Platkin relentlessly pushes clients By Fred Tasker McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) If nothing else works, Charles Stuart Platkin, the Miami Beach, Fla.-based “Diet Detective,” will badger you into losing weight. There was Jennifer Cadle, 276 pounds. He bought her a huge chocolate cake – her weakness […]