ArcaMax

Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our 60s and have been married for 28 years. We recently retired. My husband and I both enjoy stopping at neighborhood bars for a drink before dinner, but I've noticed that he indulges quite a lot and often starts at lunchtime. The problem is, after he has had a few glasses of wine, he begins to get a little ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am engaged to a man who was divorced 20 years ago. He has three grown sons. The first two are doing well, but the third is still not financially responsible at the age of 30. His father has to pay off his automobile and credit cards. My fiance also helps out his siblings, who seem to be quite irresponsible and alcoholic.

I come ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 47 years old, and my mother is 80. I have three grown children and a 7-year-old daughter whose father is not in her life, nor does he pay child support, even though he earns a decent income. I recently have had some personal setbacks. My hours were cut at work, and I had to move out of our apartment because I could not afford ...Read more

Dear Annie: I married at the age of 18. Shortly before my wedding, both of my parents died, leaving me with no other relatives. I looked forward to sharing life with my husband's large, close-knit family. But the day after the ceremony, my new mother-in-law began a crusade to divorce me. She went to each family member with horrible lies about ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married for 40 years and am now retired. While working, I became infatuated with "Lucy," a co-worker. We became friends, and after one of our many lunches, we took the rest of the day off, stayed at her house, and you can guess what happened.

Annie, it was a tragic mistake that I wish I could take back. Unfortunately, ...Read more

Dear Annie: Last year, you printed a column on Father's Day about what makes a dad. There is a huge difference between what makes a "father" and what makes a "dad."

A father is someone who believes that by donating his sperm for your creation, he has done his duty in life. A dad is someone who gets up every day and does whatever he can to put...Read more

Dear Annie: I have enjoyed a wonderful friendship with "Sharon" for the past eight years. However, lately she talks nonstop and interrupts me so often during conversations that the only way to enjoy our interaction is through email or by exchanging voicemails.

Sharon has always been a high-detail storyteller, going off on frequent tangents ...Read more

Dear Annie: A year ago, my sister, "Sheila," had an affair. She is now living with the Other Man. Sheila and her husband have a 23-year-old son who has been devastated by this.

My family believes the boyfriend is simply using Sheila for her money and to have someone around to help raise his teenage daughter. In addition, he seems very ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm 16 years old and deeply worried about my mother. I believe she has an undiagnosed anxiety disorder that's getting worse. She constantly stresses about every little thing. I can't remember the last time I saw her totally relaxed.

Mom once had a panic attack so severe that she strained several muscles, causing intense pain for ...Read more

Dear Annie: I had several surgeries during the past year and needed help from friends during my recovery. They have been generous with their time, caring for me and my three boys so my husband could work. They even helped with meals and chores. I have paid them in cash and gifts to show my gratitude.

The problem is, I caught two of my friends...Read more

Dear Annie: I know that anorexia is not uncommon in teenage girls, but I never thought I would see the signs in my best friend. "Emmy" always complains about the way she looks and is constantly focused on her weight. She makes sure everyone else eats, but I rarely see her put a bite in her mouth. She denies that she has a problem, but all her ...Read more

Dear Annie: Please help me. My husband, whom I love very much, is addicted to pain pills. It's been more than a year. He says he takes them to maintain his energy levels for his long 12-hour days, but, Annie, he still takes the pills on his days off. When he tries to stop, he goes through withdrawal symptoms.

Not only am I concerned for his ...Read more

Dear Annie: My 54-year-old daughter, "Susan," has been angry with me since she was a teenager. I have tried to question her about why she hates me so much, but she won't discuss it. She is married to a controlling man who shares her feelings and recently told the family to "go to hell." Susan has a sweet daughter who appears to be a special ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am an only child who was reared by loving but extremely controlling parents. They tried to dictate my attire, my friends and my opinions. I moved away and married, but things have only gotten worse.

I considered moving home to help them, as they are getting older. My husband was skeptical. He's seen me cry from the guilt trips ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am an 18-year-old guy, and my parents are splitting up. I don't know the full story, but things are getting somewhat awkward around the house. We try to live normally, but the silence hurts. I'm trying to deal with it and put up a good front until graduation, but it's hard.

When I am with both of my parents in the same room, it'...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 58 and have been married to "Hank" for 24 years. I have two children from a previous marriage, and Hank and I have a 21-year-old son together.

I've tried everything to be a good wife, but Hank never has been affectionate, and our sex life is nonexistent. Several years ago, I learned that he has cheated on me for most of our ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother-in-law and his wife are strange people. "Tom and Alice" live beyond their means and are constantly asking for help. We've given them more than $10,000, and they've never paid back a dime. That's not the worst part.

Alice is in love with my husband, "Dean." She giggles and flirts with him and used to send him scantily ...Read more

Dear Annie: Six months after my daughter married, her husband was arrested twice. Each time, he called from jail and begged me to pay bail and then legal fees, promising to pay me back when he got out.

My daughter stuck by him through seven years of prison. Now, 15 years later, he has started a business and fathered my only grandchild. We had...Read more

Dear Annie: My mother was physically and mentally abused as a child. I know because I have been listening to the horror stories since I was 5 years old. I am now in my 40s and, quite frankly, am running out of compassion for her.

First of all, I resent her dumping this on me when I was so young. Second, I know plenty of people who had rotten ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wonderful wife and I have been married for a little less than a year. Though I love her with all my heart, I absolutely do not get along with one of her friends. "Sherry" is negative, overdramatic and incredibly self-centered. She bullies my wife and expects to receive far more support than she's willing to give.

When Sherry ...Read more