ArcaMax

Dear Amy: My mother is 93 years old.

I found out a few years ago that she was pregnant with me when she and my father got married. I was looking through some papers (birth certificates and such), and I saw that their marriage license was in a sealed envelope. I thought it was kind of strange, but never said anything.

My mom gave me all of her ...Read more

Dear Amy: I'm a 50-year-old freelance graphic designer. My income has completely dried up, and so I recently moved in with my mother (Dad died nine months ago).

My ex-wife is in a serious relationship. She lives a half-hour away from me. Our youngest daughter, 17, is special needs and lives with her most of the time. I get our daughter every ...Read more

Dear Amy: At a family gathering, I completely lost it when my brother-in-law started spouting birther conspiracies.

I called him a racist effing moron and stormed out.

I know I did not handle this well. But what else could I do?

I try not to talk politics with that side of the family, but I believe racism must not go unchallenged. Should I ...Read more

Dear Amy: I'm 88 years old. I live alone and am independent.

Can family members restrict an 88-year-old widowed mother's wine consumption (mainly to sleep), just because a doctor says it might cause a liver problem some day?

I have never had a car accident.

I prefer not to drive but I do drive a little, to pick up groceries.

Should I see a ...Read more

Dear Amy: I have a good job, with a great boss. I like some aspects of the work I do, because I can see that it is making a difference in my community.

The issue with my job is that it is very reactionary. I try to plan ahead, but my primary job consists of responding to requests as they come in. This means that when I show up for work one day,...Read more

Dear Amy: For three years before my husband left me, he was (unsuccessfully) self-employed. He struggled so much with his self-worth that I was afraid to anger him, especially on financial issues. He was hiding his lack of income from me and hiding unpaid bills. He drained a large inheritance, savings, and retirement accounts. I was also unaware...Read more

Dear Amy: My husband and I have a very dear friend, "Mike." About a year ago, Mike started dating "Ardele," who seems lovely. They go on lots of fun trips together and seem to be getting serious. They recently visited Ardele's hometown and Mike met her whole family.

However, even though we see Mike a few times a month, we have only met Ardele ...Read more

Dear Amy: My husband and I are a same-sex couple. We have been together for six years (married for the past year). During this time, I have battled with an embarrassing addiction -- to social media and sexting.

Over the course of our time together I was caught on three occasions -- two prior to being married and the third time just three weeks ...Read more

Dear Amy: My wife and I just welcomed a baby girl into our lives a few days ago, and we are overjoyed. The delivery was successful with no complications, and the baby is very healthy, but my wife's labor was long and very painful. It will take months for her to recover.

Because it was such an ordeal, during our hospital stay we decided it would...Read more

Dear Amy: My husband and I have been together almost 19 years and have two children together. We've had our ups and downs.

Approximately five years ago, we had an argument and he kicked me out of the home, which led me to stay with my mother out of town.

During this time, I begged to come home and was denied. After about a month, I discovered ...Read more

Dear Amy: Two years ago, I made the decision to move from a city to a rural area because I knew I would never be able to afford to buy a house in that city.

I can telecommute for work, giving me the ability to make a good salary and live almost anywhere I want.

Since moving, I have made many local friends, many of which can only dream of ...Read more

Dear Amy: My parents are the best. Like, the very best. Picture the mom who sends impromptu "thinking of you" cards and care packages, and the dad who checks your oil. They have always supported me emotionally, mentally, and even financially when I was in college. I live every day full of gratitude for their love and the life they were able to ...Read more

Dear Amy: I have been dating a wonderful man for nine months. He is smart, funny, and deeply charming, as well as being ridiculously attractive. On a normal day, I see a great future for the two of us.

However, every once in a while he will do something that I just can't get past. We'll be having a normal conversation, when suddenly, he'll ...Read more

Dear Amy: I like to reach out to former co-workers, former bosses, and former acquaintances from time to time to keep in touch so as not to lose a possible connection.

Sometimes the conversation is lovely and it's nice to hear about a person's life once or twice a year. I am genuinely happy when I get to hear about other people's successes. ...Read more

Dear Amy: My father just turned 70 years old. He and my mom divorced when he turned 50, because he was having an affair with a younger woman, "Cherie." My siblings and I eventually accepted Cherie and grew quite fond of her.

About 18 months ago, my dad started to complain about how Cherie was too dependent on him. He quite suddenly decided to ...Read more

Dear Amy: Last summer, my 10-year-old son learned a racial epithet (the "n word") from listening to his favorite music and watching his favorite basketball videos.

When we discovered that he had been listening to music with that word, we asked him to find clean versions. Although he is 10, he has the social maturity of a younger child.

Our son...Read more

Dear Amy: I am entering my 14th year as a military spouse. Four years ago, I created a "home base" in my hometown area because I could no longer handle military life. This happened after several intense episodes of depression and anxiety, exacerbated by the death of one of my best military spouse friends. She was a fine woman with a secret ...Read more

Dear Amy: I have a 30-year-old niece. She has an 8-year-old son. I love them both.

She has done a wonderful job raising her son alone, (her fiancé died when she was pregnant).

I decided I would like to start a savings account for my niece's son so that he can have a start in life after he graduates and (if and when) he continues on to college...Read more

Dear Amy: Recently, I went to join my two closest friends and their husbands at "Betsy's" lake house. I arrived early. My friends had gone into town.

Betsy's husband was sitting outside, and I walked down and said hello, but he didn't knowledge me. So I asked him, "Do you want to be alone? Should I come back later?" He said yes, and I left in ...Read more