ArcaMax

Dear Annie: In the past year, we have been told that two members of our family are gay. One of them is transgender. At the time we were told, most of us were speechless. I did say, "I wish you happy, lovely days ahead." But how would everyone want us to respond? What would someone who recently came out as gay or transgender like to hear? We love...Read more

Dear Annie: I am the stepgrandma of a 2-year-old boy. "Danny" lives with his parents and an older sibling. I have never been blessed with children of my own, but I taught elementary school for many years.

Danny's behavior seems unusual to me. If he is at my house for three hours, every minute of that time involves him running through the house ...Read more

Dear Annie: "Clean Shoes in Wisconsin" objected to his sister-in-law asking him to remove his shoes in her house. Yikes. Outdoor shoes in the house? The University of Houston did a study and found that 39% of shoes contained the bacteria C. diff. In Japan, as well as in many Asian and Scandinavian countries, shoes are removed. It would be a ...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife and I have been married for five years and we have two children. In the past year, she has been exceptionally critical and unloving.

I work full time. I also cook every meal, do all of the laundry, clean the house, do the grocery shopping and help with the children. My wife works from home as a private tutor. She pays the ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a middle school student, and I signed up for drama at the beginning of the semester. I've been working really hard at it.

The problem is, I failed one of my classes (out of seven). Because of that, I am not allowed to participate in drama. I have a speaking role with 17 lines and I don't think they can replace me in such a ...Read more

Dear Annie: I just heard about your contest to write a poem for July 4 that is more balanced, and that mentions women, as well as men. Why would you print something like that in August, when school is out and kids can't participate? It would have been an excellent project for my classroom.

Could you please rerun the original request and extend ...Read more

Dear Annie: I spent two hours on the phone yesterday with a friend who can talk nonstop and rarely requires a response. I have another friend like this, and it's exhausting.

I've seen letters in your column from other readers complaining about this, and you often suggest that the talkers might have a hearing problem. I disagree. These people ...Read more

Dear Annie: My ex-husband, the father of my kids, decided to date my younger sister, who is in the early stages of recovery from heroin addiction. When she wants to see her four children, she has to have a supervisor present for visitation.

My mother and stepfather support this relationship and think it will be good for her. My older sister and...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a young lady in my 20s, and I think I've found the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I want to start a family and build a life with him, but I don't know how that's going to happen.

"Jonathan" takes care of his mother and father. They are on disability, even though they aren't truly disabled. They don't drive, but ...Read more

Dear Annie: "Your Opinion Please" said he originally planned to split his estate 60/40 in favor of his son (successful) and daughter (who had mental health issues, including drug abuse). You made valid points about not punishing the daughter for past mistakes. You did miss one:

If their daughter had suffered from a more traditional medical ...Read more

Dear Annie: Our 46-year-old son is bright, caring and an all-around good guy. Here's the problem: "Munro" has never gotten much of an education, even though he's had multiple chances and we have encouraged him to do so. If we say anything about it, he gets nasty and rude and tells us it's none of our business.

He is absolutely right -- until he...Read more

Dear Annie: While my leashed dog and I are bonding and enjoying our time together, people will virtually block our way and -- without asking me -- begin to vigorously pet my dog and interact directly with her. My dog is small and fluffy, and strangers, particularly kids, feel free to approach and play with her.

These encounters are often not ...Read more

Dear Annie: We're in a pickle. We've spent the past winter in a wonderful retirement area. We've gone out to dinner with some neighbors and had a nice time. Now that it's time to head home, two couples talk constantly about traveling our way this summer, staying with us while they see the sights of our city.

Annie, we like these couples, but ...Read more

Dear Annie: I always had an exaggerated response to alcohol and could never have just one drink. The first time I ever tried drinking was when I was 14 years old, and I got drunk. I wasn't a heavy drinker right away, though. I would drink on weekends and otherwise led a "normal" life through my teens and 20s.

However, when I was in my early 30s...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 12-year-old boy, and I hate my life. I am the youngest of five, but there is a huge age difference. My siblings are aged 29 to 35. My parents are in their mid-50s.

My parents didn't plan me and I'm tired of being constantly told that I am the family "mistake." It's like a big joke to them. People always think I am my parent's...Read more

Dear Annie: My younger sister and I are young adults currently living with our grandparents to ease the commute to school and work. We spent most of our elementary and middle school years at our grandparents' house after school, over the summer or when we were sick. Our mother works near their house as well, and she stops by every couple of ...Read more

Dear Annie: I read the letter from "Too Little, Too Late," whose Vietnam vet husband is robotic and unaffectionate. This sounds like my husband.

There was never an acknowledgement for the things I did, nor did I get a kiss, compliment or sign of affection. He believed because we had a home and enough money to live comfortably, it made him a ...Read more

Dear Annie: My sister-in-law is going through dialysis. She is able to do it in the comfort of her home with help of a nurse, so she can be close to her young kids. Her husband dotes on her. She isn't able to get out much, but she tries to see my in-laws for supper or coffee whenever possible. My husband and I make an effort to come over to say ...Read more

Dear Annie: I come from a large family. We haven't had any truly rough times, but our sister-in-law is proving to be a problem for me.

"Jennifer" has never liked me. At her wedding, my other siblings were attendants, but not me. She often invites my siblings for dinner, but never me.

I could live with that, but I am bothered by the way she ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a beautiful daughter who is in rehab for drug addiction. For the past two years, she has had an abusive boyfriend who also encouraged her drug use. He broke up with her before she entered the facility, but I just discovered that she has been calling him.

I want to call the boyfriend and tell him not to accept her calls or I ...Read more