ArcaMax

Dear Annie: Our son has been dating "Nicole" for several years. She has two teenage daughters from a previous marriage. Although they live several hours from us, my husband and I have done everything to make "Nicole" feel welcome.

Last Christmas, she and her daughters opened their gifts, tossed them aside and went to watch TV. In May, I sent ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 23 years old and have been dating "Tom" for two years. He works in a demanding job that requires an extensive amount of travel. He's away almost six months of the year.

When Tom isn't traveling, he's with me during the week, but spends most weekends going places with his fraternity or visiting his parents. This means for the ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother and I grew up in the shadow of our older sister, "Nina." Nina had new clothes while we had stained, torn hand-me-downs. If I asked for something, I was called a "spoiled, selfish brat." If our plans conflicted with Nina's, we had to cancel ours. Mom always favored her. Nina's needs always came before ours. My father didn...Read more

Dear Annie: Am I strange? I like to keep my house clean and neat. In addition, I check for items that may need fixing so the house is not in disrepair. Although friends and family think I am "anal," I do not feel that I am obsessive.

I also have many fears, some of which are entirely baseless. I am in anguish if I have to travel on a highway,...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been friends with a small group of people since junior high. We're in our late 50s now, and though none of us has set the world on fire, we have good families and stable careers. All except "Joe."

Ever since he was a boy, Joe dreamed of making it big in a profession in which, with a good deal of skill and some luck, you can ...Read more

Dear Annie: When can we stop giving our children money? When is enough enough?

My daughter and her husband are in their mid-30s. They bought a house they could not afford. On top of that, they are in the middle of filing for bankruptcy, as they have been overspending for years. My daughter works two jobs that provide neither a consistent ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a teenager in high school with two close friends, "Emma" and "Vienna." Emma was recently diagnosed with OCD and bipolar disorder. Ever since the diagnosis, there have been many conflicts. Emma is now really sensitive, and if Vienna or I say anything even mildly offensive, she gets super angry.

This past summer, we all worked ...Read more

Dear Annie: My mom is 67 and pure evil. She manipulates her doctors, who don't know the real truth. I've tried to remain patient and respectful, to no avail.

My mom has pushed everyone away. She has no friends. Since my father died, she's become severely depressed. I've supported her and stood by her after all the evil and hateful things she'...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife's sister and her husband moved in with my mother-in-law 30 years ago. Mom was the sole caregiver until age limited her ability, and then government aid allowed for home assistance. Mom supported them while my brother-in-law spent every dime on alcohol and toys. When Mom died two years ago, my sister-in-law ended up in a ...Read more

Dear Annie: I live far away from my family, but try to keep in touch. The problem is my sister, "Diane," who always misinterprets what I say.

Last month, for example, we were talking about Dr. Oz when I commented that we'd have to wait 20 years to see whether some of those suggestions work. That night, Diane told my brother that I said I ...Read more

Dear Annie: On September 10, people throughout the world will be observing World Suicide Prevention Day, an annual event co-sponsored by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Approximately one million people worldwide die...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 30 years. We each have adult children from previous marriages. One, "Luella," only wants a relationship when it suits her. We don't hear from her on Father's Day, but if you miss something for her, she's "hurt." She's a taker, not a giver.

A year ago, Luella had a baby. We asked about ...Read more

Dear Annie: I had to respond to the letter from "Seeing Red About Blue," whose son is in a wheelchair. She often finds the striped area next to the handicapped parking spot occupied, blocking safe passage back into her van.

I have a motorcycle. I used to park in those blue-striped areas because they were a perfect fit for my bike. I had a ...Read more

Dear Annie: My older sister, "Susie," is 33 and has been receiving financial support from my parents for more than a decade. They give her money outright and also pay her car insurance, health insurance and other bills. Susie does not work. She's in a master's program, but it is unclear whether she will finish. My mother believes she needs to ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife and I have been married for 18 years, and we have three children. I always thought we got along great. Over the past few years, we have not been as intimate as we once were, and I attributed it to busy schedules, children, etc. However, recently I discovered that my wife has been having internet chats with a particular ...Read more

Dear Annie: Six months ago, I married a lovely young woman. While we were engaged, "Nina" and I had several candid discussions about finances, figuring that once we married, she would look for a job and we would split the household expenses evenly. Her parents were very generous and gave us a nice amount of money at the wedding in order to ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I are trying to raise our three children in a traditional, conservative environment, but my in-laws undermine our values.

We recently went on a cruise with them, along with my husband's brother and niece and her live-in boyfriend. At one point, my oldest daughter didn't feel well, so I took her back to the cabin for...Read more

Dear Annie: My daughter, "Grace," is 48 years old and recently divorced from her husband after 23 years of marriage. They have no children. My wife and I liked her husband, but he never wanted to work for anyone. He always thought he could run his own business and could never manage it. After they'd been married 10 years, we told Grace that ...Read more

Dear Annie: My friend is a massage therapist. She had been offering me discounted professional massages in her home for months, and I finally took her up on it. The massage was fantastic. Later that night, however, I found many fleabites on my back, arms and legs. I am certain I got them from her house during our session.

My friend has ...Read more

Dear Annie: For the past three summers, my friend "Don" has spent a few days with me at our family beach house. The second year, he hinted about visiting again and was pleased when I invited him back. Soon, he began referring to "his room" at the beach house and making regular comments about "next year." I didn't know how to respond, so I ...Read more