DEAR ABBY: I’m the mother of four boys in their 20s. None of my sons is married yet, but because they are reaching the age where they might be soon, I have been paying attention to how weddings were planned and carried out by our friends’ children — all of whom are married. What’s bothering […]

DEAR ABBY: My wife of 16 years, “Barb,” and I argue constantly. We can’t seem to agree on anything, have few common interests and don’t enjoy our time together. Our love life is nonexistent. We have gone to three marriage counselors and it hasn’t helped. We now “get along” by avoiding each other. I think […]

DEAR ABBY: I am a female high school junior with many friends I love and a boyfriend I care for very much. A number of my friends are gay. One girl, “Belinda,” is a year older than I am. She told me a couple of years ago that she is a lesbian. I have done […]

DEAR ABBY: Please reprint the list of signs of an abuser. I lost the list I had, but I think my husband is one. He calls me names like “stupid” and “slut.” He tells me what clothes to wear, and if I refuse he threatens to cut them up. When we argue, he threatens to […]

DEAR ABBY: “Heartbroken Teacher in Oakland, Calif.” (Jan. 14) did absolutely nothing wrong! He wrote a letter of recommendation based on his knowledge and impression of one of his students. That was all he could and should have done. He wasn’t obligated to do a background check or any kind of research. That is for […]

DEAR ABBY: I have read with interest your columns with tales of discontent involving overbearing in-laws. Some of them have been downright frightening, although, of course, not all in-law relationships are fraught with conflict. I bring this up because I’m about to become a mother-in-law for the first time. My oldest son will marry his […]

DEAR ABBY: My job requires me to travel out of town several nights a week, leaving my wife home alone. She recently invited a mutual (male) friend out for dinner during my absence. He’s the other half of a couple we socialize with frequently. (His wife was also out of town.) I told her I […]

DEAR ABBY: I recently began dating a dear friend of two years I’ll call “Harry.” We have discussed marriage, and he is keenly interested in having children. He was married to his ex-wife for 18 years and they had no children. Abby, Harry’s close relationship with his ex is making me uncomfortable. She lives five […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for many years to a man who is a good husband and father in many respects. However, he is obsessed with professional sports, especially football. It is affecting our home and social life. Over the years, “Louie” has punched holes in walls and broken the bones in his hands […]

DEAR ABBY: My mom died of an aneurysm 23 years ago. I was only 7. I occasionally hear an aunt or uncle talk about how much they loved her and miss her. I moved in with an aunt when I was 5, due to abuse from my father. Two years later, my mom was gone. […]