ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: My mother is a narcissist and a user. She has never held down a job and blames everyone else. We rarely get along for more than 15 minutes at a time.

I used to blame myself, but have realized over the years that I'm not alone in how I feel about her. The problem is, she doesn't realize her behavior is unacceptable. If you try to ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm 54. My 28-year-old daughter, Sarah, lives with me. Our issue is my sex life.

I have a long-term live-in boyfriend, and we enjoy each other in many ways. We try to be quiet while we're enjoying each other physically, but evidently we are not quiet enough. Sarah complains whenever we make any kind of noise that she even ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm writing in response to Requires Companionship (Feb. 7), whose husband has atypical Parkinson's and she's considering dating. My wife was diagnosed nine years ago, and she, too, has reached the point where she can no longer walk, write or speak. We have, however, found ways to communicate and spend quality time together.

I tried ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm average, fitness-wise, and work in an office. My girlfriend, who is naturally athletic, has belonged to a gym for a year. Our two fitness paths collided when I was enjoying a coffee with her and her training partner, Trixi, at her place one day.

Trixi made a muscle. When I complimented her on her impressive arm definition, she ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I belong to a family that doesn't respond to RSVPs for weddings or wedding showers. They often arrive late, leave weddings early and sometimes don't stay to eat at the reception even when it has been catered at a cost of $100 a person.

My adult children always ask me to call my siblings to check whether they are coming or not so some...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I can't drive. It's not because I don't want to, but whenever I sit behind the wheel, I have panic attacks. I'm currently attending therapy for it, and progress is being made, albeit slowly.

The problem is, when I try to explain that I suffer from GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), which affects my ability to learn to drive and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have really nice neighbors, and we are always pleasant to each other. We put up a large above-ground pool in our backyard, and they put up a trampoline.

I would like to enjoy our pool (how to put this delicately?) without tan lines. I do not want to offend them or expose myself to their teenage son when he's jumping on their ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a working mother of three who may be battling postpartum depression. I feel like I am parenting alone. I get the kids out of the house by myself in the morning before my husband even drags himself out of bed. I drop the kids off. I go to work.

I teach, so my day is spent dealing with other people's kids, and then I pick my own ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Due to some unfortunate family circumstances, I was devastated to discover that nearly all of my boxes of cherished recipes had been destroyed. I'm now starting over from scratch to collect special recipes I can pass down to my children.

Most of my family members have died, so they can no longer be a resource for the traditional ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a mother of two boys, 13 and 12. My oldest son has become very abusive, both physically and emotionally. He has been arrested for hitting me and hitting his little brother. He was recently kicked off the bus for hitting another student and has also been locked out of school.

I have tried therapy and medications for him, but he ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My daughter is 19 and lives with me. She is seeing a 26-year-old man who has a child with another woman he didn't marry.

When my daughter goes out with him, he keeps her out until 3:30 a.m. or later. He has done this twice that I know of. I had a conversation with him, and he assured me he would make sure she is home before midnight,...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My fiance and I are looking forward to being married soon. The problem is, he wants a traditional wedding with bridesmaids and groomsmen, and I prefer a wedding at the courthouse.

I'm not good at planning parties, and we have almost no budget to work with. We will be paying for all of this out of pocket. We have a venue booked on a ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I live with my dad and my brother. My mother passed away when I was very young, and I was pretty much raised by my dad (with the help of family, of course).

Dad always took great care of me, or so I thought when I was younger. Now that I am older, I realize he has made me the little domestic of his house. He makes me do dishes, clean...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have a great marriage to an amazing woman. We have beautiful kids and are really happy together. The issue, however, is my in-laws. We are complete opposites in personality and certain views.

I know everyone has different opinions and I respect that. The problem is, they belittle my opinions, job, hobbies and habits. I have been ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Our daughter turns 5 soon, and my wife still breastfeeds her to bed every night and wakes her a few times a night for more breastfeeding. This has had negative consequences on our marriage.

All my daughter's peers have been weaned and have been sleeping alone through the night for the last three years. Our daughter's mouth is filled ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My daughter recently informed me that she has met someone and the someone happens to be a woman. My reaction was, of course, shock and anger, although I have kind of suspected over the years that she is a lesbian.

She is 43 and was married for 10 years. She has two children and has been divorced for about 11 years now. She dated a ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a married woman in my 30s. My husband and I own a home, which I have decorated to our taste with the exception of my bathroom. My husband and I use separate bathrooms. Mine is the one on the main floor, which is also used by our guests.

A few months ago, I purchased a large piece of art to hang in my bathroom. Admittedly, it is a...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend's best friend asked if we could drive an hour to visit them and their children on Saturday. I've met her twice, and we have chatted a bit online. I have met her fiance only once.

My boyfriend just told me she wants to take off with him to a bar for a birthday drink -- or two -- while I stay at home with her fiance. When ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a happily married man. I'm also a part of my church's worship team and at the church three times a week. Two ladies are active in the church almost as much as I am. Every time I'm there it's a good bet I'll see at least one of them.

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I have lustful feelings for them. I would never act on my feelings...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I live in a small town in the Northwest. After many years here, feeling that a warmer climate may be better for us, we decided to retire and move to a 55-plus community. We researched and visited several, and recently bought a home in one with about 5,000 residents and a lot of senior activities.

After closing, we stayed ...Read more