ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: I have a close friend, Samantha, whom I met in law school four years ago. We both graduated in 2014. I have passed the bar exam, and so have all our friends from school, but Samantha has not.

She was in a bad relationship back in school and planned to marry the guy. That fell apart, and she's now dating a guy who seems to be pretty ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My fiance, David, and I are getting married soon. We have been living together and engaged for a year, and together eight years. It takes him forever to get things done around the house or buy things we need. I have tried lists and constant reminders.

David recently lost his job and is interviewing to find another one. He loves ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to Amanda for four years. During that time, my parents, especially my mother, have called her and her family trashy because they live in a rural area in Texas.

My mother has no reason to abuse my wife the way she does. Amanda's family has always been very kind to me. What really gets me is that my mother also grew...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My best friend, Ann, abruptly ended our friendship seven years ago and I still can't get over it. We were friends from the time we were in first grade until we were 48. We were inseparable as children; she was the maid of honor in my wedding; and though we've lived 3,000 miles apart for most of our adult lives, we maintained a close ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for almost five years, and my husband and I recently decided to try to have a baby. I am really excited about the possibility of being a mom. My problem is, my parents and his parents don't want to be grandparents.

I will be 30 this year, and they keep telling me I should wait until I'm 40 to have kids. I have ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My son, Jimmy, is 8. His father and I are divorced, and he is facing jail time. Jimmy sees him every other weekend. I'm planning on telling Jimmy the truth, although I'm sure his dad will want me to lie and say he needs to work out of town for a while, or something like that.

I know it will be hard for my boy to deal with. I also ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My stepmother had a recipe for meatloaf that she found in your column years ago. She made it for us often when we visited and we all loved it. However, we have been unable to locate that recipe anywhere and don't remember how to make it. Could you reprint the recipe for me? We've been trying others, but yours is the best. -- JENNA IN ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: As the only income earner in our household of five, I work long hours. Sometimes I would enjoy talking about my day with my wife of 18 years. While she has no problem staying awake to watch TV or going out with her friends on the weekend, she usually falls asleep right in the middle of what I'm saying. It also happens in the car while...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My friend has decided she can no longer tolerate my husband. She feels he doesn't respect her. This is far from the truth, in my mind.

We have supported her emotionally and financially from time to time for many years. My husband does have a habit of making clunky jokes (anything for a laugh or to fill the void). But a real friend ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am 17 and dating a 16-year-old girl. My mother lives a few states away. Every time we talk she tells me to spend less time with my girlfriend. It always seems like she's trying to break us up. Please give me advice. I want her to want me to be in the relationship I'm in and to let me stay with her. -- TEEN IN LOVE IN PENNSYLVANIA

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DEAR ABBY: I have known for a long time that once both of my parents were gone, I would cease contact with my brothers. My problem is how to explain it to other family members and friends. I don't want to go into the details about my reasons. I feel it would hurt my parents if the truth were out.

One aunt keeps asking why and insisting I should...Read more

DEAR ABBY: When I was in my 20s I chose a career whose long-term effects I hadn't anticipated. I am charged with telling people they are dying and watching them die on a daily basis. While I know I am good at it, it leaves me emotionally drained.

I manage to muster up enough energy to try to be there for my kids but, frankly, I can't seem to be...Read more

DEAR ABBY: We have some great friends we have known for five years. Our families enjoy time together, and although the friendship started through our kids, I now get together with the other mom outside of kid-related activities. Her son, Michael, and my daughter (ages 12) are best friends in middle school, and I truly care for him, as well as ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My fiancee has a death wish. She recently lost her youngest child to suicide. She's in a lot of pain and rarely has a good day. She suffers from PTSD and relives the scene daily in her mind.

She's a hard worker, so that helps to keep her mind off things. She lives in an empty house with nothing there but farm animals, which she says ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been in a two-year relationship with a man who is loving and intelligent. We have talked about marriage since the beginning. I have traditional values, while he doesn't believe the institution of marriage is necessary.

This would be a second marriage for both of us. Our children are grown, so having kids doesn't factor into ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a columnist who writes various news, feature and column stories. The other day, I received my first criticism. A reader chewed me out for challenging their program.

It's hard being a young writer. Facing criticism for doing my job makes it even harder. I work long hours and pour my life into my work.

After being chewed out, I ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm starting to worry about my boyfriend's relationship with his mother. He's deploying at the end of the month. We have been friends for a long time and dating for a year. He's 31 and lives with his parents. We had just gotten a place together prior to finding out about his deployment.

The problem is, his mother comes over ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I put a family member through nursing school. Since becoming an R.N. and getting a job in a hospital, he has told me that, with the best intentions, he periodically reviews the medical records of other family members. I have told him what he's doing is illegal and inappropriate, yet he continues.

If I file a formal complaint, his ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I divorced my narcissistic husband after our children were raised. Over the years, I have tried to have a relationship with all of my children and their families.

When I asked one of them for a three-day weekend with her children, she texted me saying they all had a lot going on. Then she added, Maybe next year. I may not be ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My brother has been married for 11 years to a woman who is very controlling. She's 32, he's 38, and they have two kids.

She has all the traits of a bully. She decided if, when and how they got married, whether to have kids, when and how many. She also decides what he wears and what friends he has. She doesn't allow him to socialize ...Read more