ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 21-year-old woman, and I am feeling increasingly stressed and overwhelmed about my parents' low savings. Over the past few years, my mom and dad have been making it known to me and my siblings that they have very little savings and are unsure if they will ever be able to retire. This revelation has created a significant ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Fifteen minutes after arriving at an informal family get-together at someone's home, a relative took a phone call. She stepped out of the room where everyone was gathered and could be heard down the hall talking for the next 45 minutes.

This kind of thing seems to happen rather often. Am I alone in viewing it as inconsiderate...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a neighbor who is 90 years old. Her only caregiver was her adult son, who just died last week after a long struggle with opioid addiction. Since then, I and another neighbor have been checking on her several times a day, as she needs a lot of care. We've been grocery shopping for her, picking up prescriptions and running ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My sister has a squawky bird she insists on keeping alongside the dinner table when she invites guests for dinner. Its ear-piercing screeching inhibits guests' ability to carry on normal conversation, so I asked her if, in the future, she could please put the bird in another room during dinner. She responded that the bird is a family ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Am I unreasonable for expecting my daughter to take her dog with her after she graduates from college? When my daughter was in fifth grade, she really wanted a dog. I wasn't particularly keen on the idea, but she was persistent. She promised to take care of him, and I gave in. We got a Pomeranian, and he's been with us ever since...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We live in a small beach community. Five years ago, we met a lovely couple who have a vacation home across the street. We are all semi-retired. They are both gourmet chefs and entertainers, and invite us over about eight times a year.

It's always fun. They also invite other couples for dinner throughout the year on other ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 29-year-old woman, and I've been having an ongoing debate with my boyfriend of 10 years.

I wear makeup because I am insecure about my skin and my face in general. I have tried any and all products recommended to me to help clear up my skin.

I have suffered from eating disorders in the past and have constant fixation and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband has been retired from law enforcement for five years. I can't retire, as I am self-employed. I was always the one who had to take time off work to care for him with his back and hip surgeries, his mom, his dad and my mom for the past 15 years. I also took care of his kids during weekend visits.

He has spent his retirement ...Read more

As a single parent (Chairman of the Board) your first loyalty is to your children. Yes, you are an adult with normal needs for affection, but sleepover lovers are an intrusion into the innocence of your on-premises children. Reserve that kind of loving for times when the little ones are not at home.

You probably know by now how strongly I feel ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm really stuck right now and could use some advice. I'm 29, and I work as a babysitter for a family that pays really well, which is crucial for my daughter's therapy bills. The problem is that the parents have been treating me poorly -- lots of verbal abuse and unreasonable demands. I'm concerned about my safety if their ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: In this modern age, many workers have the option of working from home at least part of the week. My husband is one of them.

Several years ago, he installed himself at the kitchen table, where, for years, I had done my own work (household bills, etc.). There wasn't so much as a "May I set up here?" or "Is this where you do ...Read more

Dear Annie: I made the decision to put down my phone for a while, and the results have been wonderful.

Today was my "allowed" day to pick up my phone again. I had given myself a three-day restriction, and today was the fourth day. During those three days, I only answered for my dad calling. He's 86, and I don't want to miss one minute of his ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a single man, and have been for 15 years. A year ago, I met a guy, "Josh," and we fell in love. He lived 240 miles away. A month ago, he transferred his job to my city and moved in with me. (I supported this 100%.) I had sown my wild oats long before he moved in.

Everything was going great until recently. Josh logged into my ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been dating my partner, "Harper," for over a year, and we have a strong and supportive relationship. On her birthday, Harper expressed her desire to take a yearlong sabbatical to travel and pursue personal interests, which has been a long-held dream of hers. While I fully support Harper's decision, I'm concerned about how ...Read more