DEAR ABBY: At Christmas, “Santa” always fills my children’s stockings with a mix of fun, edible and practical items. A few years ago, when my oldest child was beginning to write, my husband and I started the tradition of tucking packets of thank-you cards into their stockings. We explained that Santa must have given them […]

DEAR ABBY: My dear friend “Shelby” has been involved with a man for three years. “Mr. Secret Agent” is always on the go and can visit her only occasionally because of all of his international business travels. She told me he is from New Zealand and plans to return there when he retires in a […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to “Leon” for 3 1/2 years. We have a 2-year-old daughter and are, for the most part, happy. However, one issue comes up frequently and seems to be the basis of all of our disagreements. Leon is hung up on things being “equal.” This can range from whose “turn” […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to “Ben,” a wonderful man, for seven years. We have three children. We get along well, but I have one complaint. It’s about sex. I’m always in the mood but he isn’t. We both work full-time jobs and take care of the kids and the house. My best friend […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for a year and I am concerned about one issue. Dinner is a constant source of contention. Although my husband and I work full time, I enjoy coming home and preparing a home-cooked meal for him. He views this as too fancy and too expensive. We are financially comfortable […]

DEAR ABBY: Last year for Thanksgiving, I made a special effort to get the entire family together for the traditional meal. All 13 of us met at my mother’s home and everyone was to bring a dish or two to share. One of my brothers has two college-age daughters. Both are vegan, and he insisted […]

DEAR ABBY: My adult son committed suicide. He was an alcoholic with many problems. Every year around the time of his death I become very depressed and emotional. Is this normal? Members of my family think I should “get over it.” — EMOTIONAL MOM IN THE SOUTHWEST DEAR EMOTIONAL MOM: The members of your family […]

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend is pressuring me to take his camera cell phone with me into the girls’ locker room and take pictures of the other girls with little or nothing on. He says it has always been a “fantasy” of his, and that if I really love him I’ll help him fulfill his fantasy. […]

DEAR ABBY: I read your advice to “Getting Grief in Grants Pass, Ore.,” (Sept. 11), whose father was reading her cell phone messages. You called his supervision “heavy-handed” and suggested she discuss it with him. While I applaud your suggestion to have a talk with her father, please reconsider the characterization that he was heavy-handed. […]

DEAR ABBY: I have a tattoo on my forearm. It’s my deceased son’s name, with angel’s wings and a halo. Because of where it’s placed on my arm, I wear long sleeves or three-quarter sleeves to work. If I feel it might “peek out,” I wear an Ace bandage over it. I am a bank […]