Life Advice
/Health
Computer Repair Leads To Upsetting Discovery
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my wife for three years. She asked me to fix her old computer. As I was doing that, I saw emails from her ex, "Doug," dated a few months before our wedding. They started with the usual greetings, then proceeded to steamy back-and-forth emails.
They set up a time to talk, and Doug suggested they use FaceTime. It...Read more
Husband Is A Mad Scientist In The Kitchen
DEAR ABBY: I never want to eat my husband's cooking again. He refuses to follow recipes because he says they are "too hard." He doesn't use seasonings -- or he uses the wrong ones. An example: He recently put cinnamon and cloves on zucchini and agreed with me that it tasted terrible. In addition to almost never being tasty, his cooking is ...Read more
Lack Of Intimacy Has Put Marriage On The Ropes
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 10 years. Before that we dated for several years. We have a wonderful relationship in many ways, but we've never had the kind of sex life I would prefer. For a long time, we would talk about it and try to find ways to improve things. That communication at least made me feel like this was something we ...Read more
Dater With Pair Of Suitors Weighs Long-Term Outlook
DEAR ABBY: After a tumultuous breakup, I reconnected with two men through friends. I've known and liked them both for years. One lives in Europe; the other lives here in New York. Both are wonderful, respectful and caring, and I feel beyond lucky. Both say they are in love with me and want to pursue a serious future. Call me crazy, but I love ...Read more
Man's Excuses And Absences Continue To Expand
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for 10 years. Ever since I have known him, he has had issues with depression and anxiety. I have tried to support him through these diagnoses.
He has attempted to go to therapy several times, but he never sticks with it. Once the therapist gets to the point where they start to get into what he needs ...Read more
Grown Sons Tell Dad To Ditch His Wife Of 45 Years
DEAR ABBY: My husband was married to a woman who lied to him about being pregnant. She wasn't at the time, but she later became pregnant. They had two sons and divorced five years later. He never loved her.
I married him eight years after that. We have been happily married for 45 years. I always thought I had a great relationship with both of ...Read more
Husband And Father Has Been An Observer As Marriage Crumbles
DEAR ABBY: I've been married for 20 years and have three kids: 19 (in college), 17 and 15. My wife and I sleep in separate beds and haven't had sex in more than five years -- her choice, not mine. We tried counseling in the past but never got anywhere.
My wife is not investing in our relationship and isn't interested in seeking outside help. At...Read more
Sister Has Revealed Her True Colors Time And Again
DEAR ABBY: When I was 16 and my sister "Daisy" was 18, I found out she was in a sexual relationship with my boyfriend, "Tyler" (also 18). I broke it off. She then asked if I minded her dating him. I'm sure I said I didn't, but I thought, "Why ask? You were already having sex with him." (He and I hadn't.) Tyler and I remained friends through the ...Read more
Mother Disappointed In Son's Choice Of Girlfriend
DEAR ABBY: I don't care for my son's girlfriend, "Trish," and he knows it. He seems to date needy women. It may boost his ego, but it doesn't reflect well on the young lady.
Our initial encounter with Trish wasn't a good one. We found her to be rude and disrespectful. He claims she was "nervous." It's common courtesy to acknowledge those in a ...Read more
Hot-Headed Grandson Pushes Grandmother To The Ground
DEAR ABBY: My 20-year-old nephew, "Conrad," has anger issues. His girlfriend recently broke up with him. He was upset and went to see his grandma, my mom. When Conrad pulled into her driveway, my mom's boyfriend, "Rob," was standing outside. Conrad told Rob to "stay out of the house."
Conrad's girlfriend was there talking to my mom. Conrad was ...Read more
Cheating Husband Outed By Newly Installed Trail Camera
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 35 years. The week we were to celebrate our 34th anniversary, he invited a female friend to our vacation home for an overnight rendezvous. He was unaware that our adult children had placed a trail cam in the woods -- and he was caught red-handed. He was called out for his behavior, forcing him to...Read more
Mom's Rekindling With Abusive Father Feels Like A Betrayal
DEAR ABBY: I am estranged from my father and have been since I was 12. (I'm currently 26.) He was emotionally, psychologically and physically abusive to me, and cutting ties with him has been good for my well-being.
My mom recently revealed to me that she has reconnected with him and they are dating again. This is infuriating, and I have been ...Read more
Fiance Tells Widow No Pictures Of Late Husband In Their Home
DEAR ABBY: I've been a widow for nine years and just got engaged. When I asked my fiance if I could put a picture of my late husband in our new home, he became upset. He said he shouldn't have to walk into his own home and look at pictures of a man who once "had" me.
I have three kids with my late husband. We were high school sweethearts, and I...Read more
Woman's Antics At The Office Negatively Impact Co-Workers
DEAR ABBY: I have worked with "Bev" for 12 years. She is insufferable. I love my job and my other co-workers, but they all feel the same way as I do. Bev is a domineering, bullying, entitled woman in her late 50s. She has two "friends" in the entire facility and, unfortunately, considers me one of them, as well as our boss, "Janet," who I am ...Read more
Truth Emerges After Two Decades Of Concealment
DEAR ABBY: Years ago, my wife and I were separated. During that time, we still spent time together, had marital relations and went on many trips with our kids. During that period, two individuals who were supposed to be my friends started talking to my wife behind my back. Because they had crossed a line, I ended my friendships with them. They ...Read more
Worker Feels Targeted By Colleague's Change In Behavior
DEAR ABBY: I've been employed at the same company for 17 years. I'm the youngest person in the department, and I love my job and the people I work with. One co-worker I used to be close to has a son the same age as mine, and they did sports together and went to each other's birthday parties. I would invite her over to relax by the pool while our...Read more
Once Married, Wife Realizes Her Husband Is Someone Else
DEAR ABBY: I have experienced something that other women I know have said they have also experienced. I dated a man for a year. We became very close and fell in love. He was sweet, loving and kind in every way. Before I would commit to marriage, I made sure we had discussions about respect and what I expected from a life partner.
The change in ...Read more
Widower Boyfriend Still Acknowledges Wedding Anniversary
DEAR ABBY: I have been dating a wonderful man for 10 months. He was married for 45 years until his wife died after a five-year illness. He is kind, thoughtful, smart, generous and romantic. Our relationship is exclusive, and things could hardly be better.
Recently, he and one of his grown daughters and her family gathered for dinner to ...Read more
Keystones Of A Happy Marriage Have Slowly Crumbled
DEAR ABBY: I'm a gay man who has been married to a wonderful man for seven years (together for 12). Throughout our relationship, my husband has struggled with religious trauma that affects his desire (and ability) to be intimate. We've seen counselors, talked through it and addressed the value we place on physical intimacy. Nothing has changed. ...Read more
Son Of Late Friend Brings Feral Kids Along For Visits
DEAR ABBY: My husband's best friend died when we were in our early 30s. His son, "Marty," recently moved back to the area with his wife and three boys. We think of them as family.
My husband often needs help with heavy handyman jobs. (I was diagnosed with cancer and am unable to help him.) He frequently recruits Marty for this kind of help, and...Read more












