ArcaMax

Dear Annie: My husband and I recently purchased a new home. It took us a while to reach this point. In the course of trying to purchase, we were offered help by a good friend, "Mary," who lives 1,500 miles away. Mary referred us to her mortgage lender, also 1,500 miles away. We engaged the lender, who worked hard, but things didn't move as ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I used to be close to my mother-in-law. We took trips together and enjoyed one another's company. But since our oldest child was born, things have changed. Even though she has an open invitation, Mom rarely comes around. She often won't return phone calls or respond to emails and texts.

Mom says because we won't let ...Read more

Dear Annie: My mom is in her 70s. She always has had trouble controlling what comes out of her mouth, but it seems to be getting worse.

Mom often insults others by making offensive comments or asking rude questions. When they attempt to respond, she laughs in their face. I have heard Dad rebuke her on occasion for this behavior, but it doesn't ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm 50 years old and have two adult children. Their mother and I divorced 15 years ago. Throughout our marriage, my wife had many affairs. She's married twice since we split up.

Five years ago, my son married a woman who has become close to my ex. My daughter-in-law has labeled me a mental case to many family members, friends and ...Read more

Dear Annie: My dad passed away three years ago. He was one of my best friends, and we shared a love of classic automobiles.

The day Dad died, I chose to stay at work rather than go to the hospital. I run a business, and if I don't work, I don't get paid. That evening, when I tried to console my mother, she asked, "Where were you?" She refused ...Read more

Dear Annie: How do you get help for a friend who appears to be drifting into dementia?

"Marjorie" and I have known each other for more than 20 years, and we have lunch every two weeks. When we first met, Marjorie was bright, energetic and involved in many activities. She is now in her mid-60s.

Two years ago, she suffered a couple of mini-...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a young woman with a degree in education. After spending several years as a student teacher and co-teacher, I decided that I really don't want to remain in teaching. I know I should have switched majors in college, but I hoped this would work out. I also was worried about what my family would think.

These same well-meaning ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am the mother of a biracial child. My son's father, "Derek," and I are not currently together, as he resides some distance away, but we visit often so Derek and our son can have a relationship. Ultimately, we would like to be together.

The problem is my father. He is not, and never has been, a fan of interracial dating. Over the ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a dear friend who means a lot to me. "Sherri" moved in with her boyfriend, and as their relationship began to spiral downward, they started seeing other people while still living together. Some of this was done without the other's knowledge, although each of them has been caught by the other on several occasions.

Sherri has ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have one surviving parent nearing 90 years old, who until five years ago was able to live completely independently. A serious injury greatly reduced Dad's mobility and caused chronic pain and hearing impairment. But he is mentally competent and able to live at home with some help.

I live a couple of hours away, but I talk to Dad ...Read more

Dear Annie: My daughter was recently ordered by the court to have her 5-year-old son visit his biological father and grandparents every other weekend. They live 200 miles away.

The boy has always lived with his mother, because the biological father felt he was not ready to be a dad and deserted them. He and his parents cut off contact for five ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 13-year-old boy and can't talk about this with anyone I know.

My father isn't in my life. It never mattered because I have the best older brother anyone could ask for. "Tommy" is 21, and he is my hero. He helps me with my homework, teaches me about life, takes me places, protects me and loves me unconditionally.

But here's ...Read more

Dear Annie: During the middle of my freshman year in high school, I was in the midst of training for my first real track season. My winter workouts gradually gained intensity, and my food intake gradually started to drop. Initially, the more weight I lost the easier it became to complete tough workouts. With that mentality, I slipped into the ...Read more

Dear Annie: My mother has always had a rocky relationship with her sister, "Josie," for many reasons. The final straw came after Josie stole money from my mother seven years ago. They haven't spoken to each other since.

I understand that my aunt hurt my mother badly and what she did was unforgivable. I know Josie doesn't deserve another chance,...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm worried that my daughter has married a narcissist. The man has no empathy for others. He does what he wants, when he wants. He constantly puts down one group or another, and in fact, his performance reviews at work indicate he needs to be more "culturally diversified."

He is envious of others at the same level in his ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband has always been very controlling. I feel as though he puts me in a box and only lets me out when he decides it's necessary. He always has to know who I am talking to and where I am every minute of every day. He is obsessive when it comes to texting and calling me, and if I don't respond fast enough, he gets upset.

He has ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband, sans wedding band, enters a bar alone and buys drinks for female strangers sitting alone. This invariably leads to conversation between them. On one occasion, the woman was a prostitute.

He says he is just being friendly. I say he is coming on to them. He does not buy drinks for female strangers when I am with him. Am I ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am writing in the hope that my situation will help other women. A year ago, I started experiencing irregular monthly cycles that would last for 20 days at a time. I also had extreme pain and a rapid heart rate. I was told, "You are going through menopause."

After several months of this, my doctor had some blood work done. He had ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have two daughters who have their biological father's last name. He never phones or visits. In six years, he has seen them once for an hour.

I would like to change their last name to my maiden name. I have full physical and legal custody of my girls. My ex has supervised visitation that he hasn't taken advantage of. I married a ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 13 and an avid reader of your column. I have been working at a summer program, and I ride a school bus there and back. Two young men ride the same bus. I have a crush on one of them (I'll call him "Liam"), but I happen to know he likes another girl. The other guy (I'll call him "Noah") seems to like me. I had a crush on Noah ...Read more