Life Advice
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Bride-To-Be Worried About Her Fiance's Coddled Teen Nephew
DEAR ABBY: My nephew-to-be has just turned 14. He has older parents (his mom was 42 when he was born) and is so socially inept that we fear for his future. His mom is more than a helicopter parent -- she still orders his food for him at restaurants. My son is 15 and very different -- he's mature, has a job, takes honor classes and is an outgoing...Read more
Asking Eric: Wife fears she’s abusing husband with Alzheimer’s
Dear Eric: My husband of almost 60 years has Alzheimer’s. At this point, he does not know who I am other than “some nice lady” who comes to see him. I initiate and have sex with him. Our initial dating and marriage were very sexual but went on to deteriorate due to his multiple flings and affairs. By the time he was diagnosed, we had not ...Read more
Husband and Son Won't Stop Drinking
Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 34 years. We have two grown children, both of whom still live with us. They work and pay rent toward our mortgage. I have no problem with their living at home, and I don't think my husband does either. The problem I have is that both my husband and my son are alcoholics. They both work hard, but...Read more
Asking Eric: Partner’s familial estrangement is a deal breaker
Dear Eric: My partner and I are closing in on our third anniversary, and as we begin to talk seriously about the prospect of marriage, I've found myself a bit troubled with a certain aspect of our relationship. I have not met his family once. This is my first "serious adult" relationship (I am 25; he is 34), so I don't always know how to gauge ...Read more
Is My Relationship Doomed?
Dear Annie: My boyfriend and I have been in a relationship for 10 years. We've had a lot of trials but always managed to hold onto each other and weather the storms. The last major trial was that I cheated on him with one of our best friends. I feel terrible about it; in fact, I think I may have managed to break my heart more than my boyfriend's...Read more
Single File: Tasty Tidbits
Meditation is a proven path to inner thoughts, to thoughts circling consciousness. It can serve as a quiet time in your busy life, a few minutes of total calm in which you allow your mind the quietude and rest it needs -- and certainly deserves. In the 15 minutes or so of quiet time, meditating, you'll hear the voice of your inner thoughts ...Read more
Q&A: How to talk about politics with people who don't agree with you
These days, there's no surer way to start a fight than to talk politics with someone who disagrees with you. And with election day drawing near, political conversations are increasingly difficult to avoid.
You could muddle your way through the next two months and hope for the best. Or you could take Tania Israel's advice and embrace the ...Read more
Ask Anna: Is it normal to have less sex after moving in together?
Dear Anna,
I'm 26 (F), and my boyfriend (28) and I have been together for almost three years. We moved in together six months ago, and ever since I’ve noticed a pretty big change in our sex life. Before moving in, we used to have sex several times a week, but now it’s once a week, or maybe twice if it’s, like, a special occasion. I didn�...Read more
'I just want this dating process to be done'
I got a text recently from a 40-year-old male client who I’ve been working with on and off over the last few years. It said this: “I’ve been anxious to re-start dating. I just want this process to be done.”
I answered, “When you say that you want the process to be ‘done,’ what do you mean?”
Every week, at least three clients ...Read more
Asking Eric: Husband says the wrong thing after sex
Dear Eric: My husband and I have an active sex life. But, after sex, he says “Thank You”. I know he appreciates it, but I feel a bit cheap after hearing him say that. I would prefer something like "I love you". I've told him that, but he doesn't seem to understand. Am I being petty, or should I expect more?
– No Thank You
Dear No Thank ...Read more
Keep Your Relationship Problems Private
Dear Annie: My boyfriend and I have been talking about moving in together for a very long time. I became pregnant and had our baby, but he didn't move in with me because he was upset that I was talking to other people about our problems.
Well, finally, almost a year later, he has moved in his dresser and bookshelf. But he is mad at me again ...Read more
Asking Eric: New mom feels guilty over very late thank you notes
Dear Eric: In spite of my best intentions, I have unfortunately been a poor gift receiver as of late. I had a baby last year, my first, and my family and friends blessed me so deeply as we prepared to receive him. I had not one, not two, but three(!) lovely showers given.
I truly did my best to keep up with thank you notes. I sent out the notes...Read more
Solve Your Own Relationship Issues
Dear Annie: My wife "Monica" has been having a mostly texting affair with "Mike" for almost two years. There are emails where they address each other with, "Hey, babe." It is disgusting. I accidentally discovered this years ago, and again recently after I thought they had not talked for years.
Upon this discovery, I texted Mike angrily -- he is...Read more
Asking Eric: Grandson’s name brings up grief for grandmother
Dear Eric: My daughter is having her fourth child. She wants to name him after her brother who died of suicide three years ago. I'm not sure I'm ready for that but everyone says let her commemorate her brother. I don't know how I’ll feel holding this baby and calling him by my son’s name. It still hurts and I cry when I think about him. I ...Read more
Anxiety After Loss
Dear Annie: My husband passed away in April after suffering for many years from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I was his caregiver for over a year, along with hospice. It was very hard on me. Since he passed, I have been lost, depressed and have a lot of anxiety.
I don't have much of a support system because my family members have all ...Read more
Millennial Life: Reproductive Health Care Is a Human Right
In 2024, reproductive health care is at a critical juncture for women, and as a millennial, I've witnessed our rights erode over the years. For my generation, reproductive health care is not merely about access to birth control or abortion services. It's about bodily autonomy, equality, and the ability to shape our futures. We've seen strides ...Read more
Asking Eric: Foster parent wants to be done with drama
Dear Eric: Twelve years ago, I was a foster parent for a 12-year-old. “Angel” was reunified with her father after a year and when that blew up, she came back to live with me.
At one point I petitioned the court and was granted legal custody. She has left and come back multiple times over the years.
Angel just had a baby and is struggling ...Read more
Tell Kids the Truth
Dear Annie: I am disabled and use a mobility device and oxygen due to emphysema, which was caused by my 30 years of cigarette smoking. I quit before my diagnosis, but it was too late.
One of the biggest issues concerns questions or comments from others. When I hear ignorant remarks from adults, I consider the source and move on. But I'd like to...Read more
Asking Eric: Friend’s treatment of ailing cat is hard to take
Dear Eric: Ordinarily, my friend is loving and affectionate to her middle-aged cat. She takes good care of him, with food, water, and attention. Today, she told me her cat has a condition that requires medical care, but she feels the vet just wants her money.
Instead, she is choosing a less costly homeopathic route, along with supplements and a...Read more
Gifted Furniture Sparks Family Wedding Fallout
Dear Annie: This is a long story, but I will try to keep it short. I gave my mother a couch and chair as she was in desperate need of furniture. The furniture was my downstairs furniture, and I felt it was more important to give it to my mom. Eventually, she bought herself furniture to her taste, but I only found out when I went to visit her. ...Read more
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