ArcaMax

Dear Annie: I have been married to "Dennis" for 15 years. The first 10 were pretty good, but this last year has been miserable.

We have four children, all under age 8. Dennis works during the week, and I work weekends so one of us can always be home with the kids. We've had this set-up for four years, and it was working just fine.

Seven months...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got a promotion a couple of weeks ago, and now everyone is treating me differently. My co-workers hardly speak to me anymore. When they do speak to me, the energy is very tense and awkward. They treat me like I'm their boss and not their friend. This change of behavior at work is making me uncomfortable, to say the very least. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My niece is getting married this spring, which has created a dilemma for my immediate family. When the save-the-date cards went out, she addressed them only to the women in the family. We thought it was a mistake at first, but now the invitations have arrived, and they are also addressed to the women only.

My husband and my son (her ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have noticed lately that I am often skipped. The other day, it was at the doctor's office: The lady behind me started talking to the receptionist while signing in, and was then promptly checked in and saw the doctor well before I did.

I did not mention it at the time, but when I was finally called back 45 minutes later, the...Read more

Dear Annie: My twin sister and brother-in-law visited me for the recent holiday. I love my sister, and we have always gotten along well. As is stereotypical with twins, we grew up inseparable and have remained emotionally close, even as the physical distance between us widens. We now only see each other a few times a year, and I cherish these ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been with "Max" for nearly four years, and we recently moved in together. We got along great until Max became very needy and suspicious. He works days, and I work nights. If he calls home and I don't answer the phone, he flips out. He calls me at work at least three times a day, and gets me out of bed after I've had only a few ...Read more

There were additions to the shopping list that had to be made when I married my husband. His requests were simple: Please always have tortillas, pinto beans, cheese and Key limes in the kitchen. With those ingredients, hunger could be eased. Let's make quesadillas, bean and cheese burritos, and with some cheap meat, tacos doused in lime juice.

...Read more

Dear Annie: Politics took over as the main topic at our holiday dinner. I don't mind open debate among parties with differing views, as long as those debating have logical and fact-supported positions. Our dinner usually goes smoothly, as everyone gets along and, despite differing opinions, we all can adequately defend our positions. Dinner will...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My brother dated an alcoholic for years. Jenny's drinking progressively worsened to the point we could no longer have a conversation with her. She was a sloppy, emotional drunk and lied about her drinking to my brother. He finally became unhappy and recently broke off the relationship. His adult children, our dad, my husband and I are...Read more

Dear Annie: My young-adult son, "Elliot," delivers pizza for one of the top chains. His assistant manager constantly harasses my son about being gay, which he is not. He even has gone so far as to write things in the bathroom.

Would this qualify as sexual harassment? Elliot already has complained to the local manager and the area manager, and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend's sister is one of the worst people I've ever met. I hate how she treats my friend. I've watched her steal from my friend, embarrass her publicly and try to harm her. My friend is a little older and believes that she has to be the bigger person in the situation because her younger sister obviously has some behavioral or...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had the pleasure of babysitting my neighbors' small dog for the weekend. When they returned, they tried to pay me. I politely turned down the money, saying that it was truly my pleasure and it was a favor between friends.

Later that week, I received a thank-you card in the mail that included a gift certificate. I accepted ...Read more

Dear Annie: Hope you can give us some sage advice! My daughter is married to a man who has many good qualities but is very controlling. He knows everything and always must have things his way as well as the last word. When we are all together, he dominates the conversation when we are eager to hear from his wife who we all miss and love.

My ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been talking to my ex-boyfriend of more than 22 years. We have a grown son. We are now in our 50s and talking and texting again. I still love him, and I want a relationship with him, but I'm not sure he wants me back. I don't know if he's interested in me or just being friendly.

Can you help? At the end of our last phone call ...Read more

Dear Annie: My 32-year-old daughter, "Carla," has never had a date or a boyfriend, although she has had lots of crushes that have never been returned. I suspect it's because she is very overweight (about 100 pounds), and this has been a bone of contention in our relationship since childhood. I have learned not to talk about it since it ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My assistant has been doing a good job at work, so I offered her a promotion and a 20% raise. I was surprised and disappointed by her response. She said she thought the raise wasn't enough and that she deserves a lot more. I run a small business and do not have more to give her. I never know if all of my current contracts will ...Read more