DEAR ABBY: My 92-year-old mother is the most hateful woman you have ever met. My husband and I took her into our home because she could no longer care for herself. She immediately took over everything, telling us what to do, being demanding and complaining that nothing was ever right. She tried to discipline my […]

DEAR ABBY: I am a 17-year-old mother. I am afraid to tell my mom that I have been speaking to my son’s father, “Jeremy,” who is also 17. She doesn’t like him because when she found out I was pregnant, my best friend told her about the abuse I suffered from Jeremy. Mom is scared […]

DEAR ABBY: A former student asked me to write a character reference to help her land a teaching job abroad. I agreed, since I thought highly of her potential as a teacher and scholar, and her level of character. However, after she was placed in the classroom, the ministry of education of the nation where […]

DEAR ABBY: My wife went on a diet a year ago and lost a tremendous amount of weight. The problem now is she won’t quit. Every time I suggest she stop and put a few pounds back on, she gets angry and won’t speak to me. My wife isn’t anorexic, but I have a feeling […]

DEAR ABBY: When I was 12, my cousin “Larry” gave me a hallucinogen-laced candy bar and raped me. I struggled with depression and anxiety during all of my teenage and young adult years. The herpes I got from him left me with lifelong issues. With the support of Survivors of Incest Anonymous (SIA) and a […]

DEAR ABBY: “The One Left Behind in Oregon” (Nov. 16) was disowned by her parents and brother after leaving her abusive husband. She asked how to forgive her father now that he is dying. You told her she didn’t have to because he did not ask for forgiveness. I disagree. If she doesn’t do it, […]

DEAR ABBY: My son, “Jarod,” was in a relationship with “Gayle,” who has a small son, “Danny.” My husband and I took Danny into our hearts as our grandson. Danny formed a bond with Jarod’s other two children and they consider him a brother. Although Jarod’s relationship with Gayle didn’t last, we continue to maintain […]

DEAR ABBY: I divorced two years ago, after 40 years of marriage. The divorce papers read “irreconcilable differences.” I made up my mind that I wouldn’t badmouth my ex-wife, would use her name when speaking of her, and would rebuild my personal and social life as quickly as possible. Last year, I dated half a […]

DEAR ABBY: I recently married a wonderful man. Our wedding day was going perfectly and I had all the family I loved around me — including my divorced grandparents. My grandfather has remarried, but still had a lot of unfinished legal business with Grandma that needed settling. Grandpa thought my wedding reception would be a […]

DEAR ABBY: Just how honest should you be with a friend? My friend “Frannie” did not receive a promotion in her department, and I think I know why — her appearance. The promotion would have required more interaction with clients. Frannie is bright, hard-working, has Christian ethics, a beautiful, trim figure, a wide smile and […]