ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, Chris, and I were planning on moving in together. We went apartment hunting and created a realistic budget we could both maintain. He was the one who brought up the idea and also the one who pushed it.

Chris is an only child. His parents love him so much I think they will do anything to keep him in their house for as ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: After a lot of talk and no action, I finally made the decision to further my education with a master's degree. At present, I have one more required undergraduate credit to complete at the local university. My husband and I are excited that I finally made the decision and am following through.

The problem is my mother-in-law. She has ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a 33-year-old woman with two young children (11 and 9). Andrew and I have been dating for almost a year, still learning about each other and building a foundation for our relationship.

My family recently told some other family members that I am too pretty to be dating Andrew and I can do much better. My younger sister even said ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am part of a small social ladies group. The eight of us range in age from mid-50s to late-60s. We get together once a month for lunch, a movie, dinner, shopping, etc. I look forward to it, and we always have a good time.

Recently, we lost a few members due to relocating, and the subject came up about trying to get a few more women ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My divorced 38-year-old brother is addicted to opiates. My wealthy, enabling mother constantly bails him out financially. My brother is engaged to a very kind woman -- a mother of three he met four months ago. She's not aware of his lies, manipulations, debt and pill addiction.

My brother has already destroyed a previous marriage ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Six years ago, my husband of 20 years was in a serious accident. He was placed on disability because of it. Because of the accident, he can't perform sexually because his goods don't work.

I am many years younger than he is and still in my prime. I need and want the cuddling and intimacy I'm not getting and haven't gotten for years. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Once I announced my engagement, my already thin, fit mother went on a diet and lost 20 pounds. My weight has always been an issue with her, and I can't believe she would draw attention to it in this way.

She called me a bridezilla because I told her I think she's trying to showboat my wedding because she's the one with the insecurity...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband's brother split from his wife, Charlotte, five years ago and now works and lives in another country. The brothers are still quite close. His school-age daughters live nearby and are close to their cousins, our daughters.

Charlotte's latest boyfriend (they have been dating for 18 months) has started insisting on hanging out...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My son, a junior in college, is trying to get a summer job. His degree is challenging, and he has a good work ethic plus job experience. Because he hasn't had much luck applying online, I have been calling local businesses to see what's available while he's working hard at school.

A problem I'm encountering is something I never had ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm an avid video game player. My husband and I bond over playing games, reading and talking about them. In fact, in my spare time, I just earned a master's degree in video game culture.

The issue I have is people judge my hobby as a waste of time or comment that I should read a book instead. I don't tell them I read a book a week ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a 17-year-old senior and have been dating the same boy for two years. A month ago, he told me he wanted to break up because he needed some time to figure out what he wanted. I was devastated but agreed. Two weeks later, he told me he was sorry and he loves me.

We are back together now, but the weekend after our breakup, I went ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My mom is a recovering alcoholic. Her alcoholism has caused emotional distress and damaged our relationship to the point that I am aloof and terse toward her.

She's six months sober now, receiving help and making an effort to repair the hurt and pain she has caused. But I'm struggling in moving forward.

My mom is generous, kind, ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My son's girlfriend confided to me that my son, age 35, is cross-dressing. I knew his life was in flux and that his appearance had changed, but it stunned me. He hasn't mentioned anything, and she said he would be very upset if I knew.

When I saw him the same day, I made sure to hug him and tell him I love him. Please tell me what to...Read more

DEAR ABBY: When I was 70, I started taking drama classes twice a week (I still do). My wife was against it and insisted that because none of our friends or relatives were doing it, neither should I. As a result, I suggested we live apart. I bought a small apartment and live alone. We see each other regularly, go to the cinema, the theater, ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My daughter is graduating from high school and will be starting college. It was always her plan to go to a school away from our small town, and I supported that decision. However, six months ago she started dating her first real boyfriend.

His parents have offered to pay all expenses if the two of them live in an apartment and go to ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm the youngest of four sisters. The oldest sister is the only one who has children -- three girls under the age of 12. I'm a high school teacher who works about 60 hours a week during the school year between teaching, grading, attending meetings, completing paperwork, tutoring before and after school, and planning lessons.

My ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 29-year-old female and still a virgin. This decision is mostly based on my religious beliefs, but also because I haven't met the right guy. I have been struggling with this for several years because it seems my religious views and that of society are at odds. Rather than feel proud of my virginity, I feel ashamed.

At this point...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am in my 30s and moved out of my parents' home 10 years ago. Last week I decided to visit them, and we went out to eat. Dad has a habit of sending his food back to the kitchen -- My steak isn't cooked enough, or My food is cold. Could you warm it up? He even does this at restaurants that aren't fancy.

Dad has done this my whole ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm writing in response to the man who wants to keep his cancer prognosis secret until he nears the end (Keeping It to Myself, Jan. 11).

My mother was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer that had spread to her brain. Her dizziness is how we found out. She didn't want to tell anyone for a while (which surprised me because she had ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife of 20 years has been electronically unfaithful. There have been covert telephone calls and late-night text messages to a boyfriend from long ago. He's divorced and found her on Facebook, telling her he needed advice on dating.

She admits to the phone calls and messages and nothing more. I believe her. They haven't met -- ...Read more