ArcaMax

Dear Annie: I realize that you ladies are not psychologists, but I value your opinion, so I hope you (and your readers) can help me.

My darling 4-year-old grandson looks 99 percent Caucasian, but he is actually 50 percent African-American. His biological father is in prison and has not been in the picture since he slept with our daughter. We ...Read more

Dear Annie: My 22-year-old son, "Nick," spends most of his time playing video games. He was fired from several jobs last year because he stopped showing up. We had no idea.

We finally kicked him out. It was the hardest decision of my life. He lived with various relatives and friends until he started lying to them about work. Nick is now at ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to "Ned" for 25 years, and each year it seems to get worse. When we married, he told me I could do whatever I wanted with the house, but he never said I'd be the one paying. The house was barely furnished, the bedding had holes in it, the carpet was a mess, and the curtains were stained. I replaced all of that, ...Read more

Dear Annie: The principal of the school where I teach has some big tattoos on her neck. She says they are Chinese symbols for "good fortune." I think they look trashy. I don't mind tattoos, but I don't think large markings on one's hands and neck are appropriate for school. They don't convey authority, and I have a hard time taking orders from...Read more

Dear Annie: I have an 8-month-old puppy, and I take her to a local dog park so she can run off leash and play with the other dogs, which she loves. In the three months I have been taking her, "Phoebe" has never been attacked or fought with another dog. That was until last night, when Phoebe approached another dog that was on a leash and that ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am finally divorced. My ex and I have a minor child together. He has met my new partner, and they get along great while at our son's sporting events. I thought it would be healthy for our son to see us as friends.

I also thought it would be nice to meet my ex's new girlfriend since they've been a couple as long as I've been with...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been happily married for 15 years and recently decided to try an open-marriage lifestyle. We are doing this with full honesty and respect for each other.

The main problem is that the dating success is not equal. I found it easier to get a date. Whereas, my husband is having a tremendous degree of difficulty. ...Read more

Dear Readers: Happy Mother's Day. Please phone your mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, stepmother or foster mother and wish them the best. And our special good wishes to all the new mommies who are celebrating their very first Mother's Day. Also, please don't forget those for whom this day, for whatever reason, is filled with sadness. Give ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a single mom of a 4-year-old boy who is being abused by my ex-husband and his wife. After a visit, he comes home bruised and scratched with black eyes. He has had scabies more than a dozen times. The worst thing is that my son was just diagnosed with PTSD.

I don't speak negatively about his father. But when it's time for my ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am writing a long overdue thank-you note to my parents. They are faithful readers of your column. Mom and Dad, I am thankful that:

You stood your ground and did not give in to me, even when I threw fits and demanded my way.

You supported me in school and gave me the tools to succeed, instead of letting me waste my potential.

...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm concerned about my sister's parenting style. "Sara" just went through a nasty divorce, so we let her move into a house we own next door, thinking it would help to have family close by.

Sara's kids spend a great deal of time with us. What worries me is my 7-year-old niece, "Andrea." Andrea appears underweight for her age and ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband is the youngest of seven siblings. While they are all successful, some are more financially comfortable than others.

Five years ago, the oldest sibling wanted to give their mother an 80th birthday party. She planned a huge party for hundreds of her mother's friends and neighbors. She rented a party place, hired a band ...Read more

Dear Annie: My grandfather passed away last month, and the wake was catered by a close friend of the family who owns a restaurant. He closed off a section of his dining hall for our family.

The meal included 15 children under the age of 10, and they were absolute monsters. My nephew threw his shoe across the room and then tripped a waitress. ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband works at a private college. His male boss had an affair with one of the female directors under him. My husband and his assistant found out about it and, after much deliberation, brought it to the attention of the human resources department. The president of the college was informed, but he only put the two guilty parties...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 20-year-old woman in love with a 25-year-old divorced man who has a 4-year-old son, "Mikey."

Lately, Mikey's mother has been letting us have the child more often because she has to go out of state on business. The problem is, this boy is very stubborn. He's not a bad child. He just doesn't like to listen. And for the most ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother was divorced more than a year ago. Of course, it was extremely difficult for his family, but slowly, life is moving forward.

My mother is the one who is not getting over it. In the past year, she has grown into one of the most bitter people I know. She used to be fun, positive and easygoing. Now she detests her former ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 57-year-old man with no siblings, and my mother is deceased. My 82-year-old father is physically healthy, but he's in the early stages of dementia. He has a few hobbies to keep him busy, but for some reason, he has become obsessed with me.

Dad has become rather "needy." Sometimes he calls me three or four times a day, even ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have a blended family with his two girls and my three sons. I am so grateful that we both took on this challenge.

We had some good times, and we had some bad times, and when I say bad, I mean horrible. Our children are all adults now, and we are still butting heads over them, mostly my boys. He has given up on two...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm in my 40s and have been married for 20 years. We have two children. Our marriage has been OK but not totally fulfilling. For the past five years, I have been in contact with my ex-fiancee.

I have thought about getting divorced a number of times but have never gone through with it. I love my wife, but not the same way I love my...Read more

Dear Annie: Recently, my wife and I stayed for four days at the home of one of her school chums. The gals yakked until late at night, so I was the first one up every morning. I'm an early riser anyway.

I like reading the newspaper with my breakfast, so when I'd get up, I'd go outside and pick up the paper and bring it in. My wife says it was ...Read more