ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: I am pregnant with the first-born grandson on both sides. My husband and I plan to use my husband's middle name for our son's first name and my father's middle name for his middle name. My father is "the III" but has no sons, so we thought this would be a way to honor him and represent my side of the family.

My sister is the first ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm 22, and my boyfriend is 21. We've been dating for a few months. At a recent family dinner, his maternal grandfather hit on me. I was helping to clear the dinner table and leaned across the table to grab some dirty plates when Grandpa shoved his hand up my skirt. Then he leered at me, and my survival instincts kicked in. I slapped ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, a close friend of my husband's and mine asked us to be the "best couple" in their wedding. After being postponed for a year due to some family issues, the wedding is coming up soon. My husband and I have been married 25 years. We have a strong, faithful bond.

Last weekend, we were informed that we won't be paired ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Six months ago, my oldest child died in a horrific car accident. Our family went into a sort of hibernation for several months, mourning and trying to deal with the sadness of the situation.

Now the kids are back in school, and I'm starting to work again. I'm interacting with a lot of people I haven't seen since before the accident ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I text my older sister often. Last month, I sent her a long message consisting of information and chitchat. To my surprise, it was not answered by her, but by her daughter (who I am not fond of). My message was not meant for her daughter, and although the information it contained was not critical or embarrassing, I am offended that my...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm having a problem with my sister, who visits me on the average of once a month. She lives four hours away. Her friend and her husband accompany her. They are my only company. I used to enjoy them but no longer. After their visits, stuff is always missing from my house -- a hairbrush, my dog's electric nail file, random dishes and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My friend of 50 years passed away a few months ago. I sent a fruit basket to her family and tried calling, but I was unable to get through. I couldn't reach them via email or text either. I also sent a sympathy card. I heard nothing back from her husband or the daughter I am closest to. She's my godchild, and I was always involved in ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My mother passed away last year, and my father is 90. I am trying to get their primary and vacation homes staged for sale. It is a HUGE job as they were hoarders. They were popular, and when I go to their cabin, all their neighbors want to come and chat with me and Dad.

Because the property is unique and valuable, several of them ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My close friend "Annie" came to my father's funeral. She had met him only a couple of times. While I realized she was doing it to be there for me, I felt responsible for her since she knew no one there. I had her sit with me, but I was trying to deal with friends and family I hadn't seen in a long time. I ended up unable to talk with ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: This letter is embarrassing to write. When calling in a fast-food order, my husband wants me to ask the price of each item and becomes upset if they vary from the online menu price. I understand that in this economy, there are bound to be increases.

One day, the difference was about $5. Because I didn't question it, a heated argument...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a 60-year-old divorcee. I am currently dating a Danish man and have been for a year. He asked me to marry him several months ago, and I said yes. He wants me and my daughter to move to Denmark. My daughter is 21 and high-functioning autistic, but she still needs me to help with executive functions.

Several months ago, I lost my ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 56 years. For the past year or so, we quarrel about everything -- major issues and minor, insignificant things. There is nothing but bickering, disagreement and conflict. We can have a couple of good days and then fight over some small issue, or an innocent response or comment from one of us -- and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Both my parents had birthdays days apart and near a holiday. About 35 years ago, they started a tradition of having an elaborate party on or near their birthdays. My siblings and I were grown. The guests were their friends, and we were mostly bored out of our minds. As we married and had kids, we were invited to our own friends' ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a victim of childhood sexual assault. I'm 52, and memories that I have repressed for so many years are coming back to haunt me. I have been with my husband for 14 years. We have enjoyed a very sexual relationship, but, lately, the memories are causing me to want to avoid intimacy with him. I want to tell law enforcement, but my ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My brother "Joey" married a woman, "Allie," who is mentally unstable. Every couple of months, she loses her temper at me or one of my family members. It's extremely disruptive and upsetting. She has been diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder as well as borderline personality disorder. Joey recognizes her behavior is inappropriate but...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have a special-needs son and cannot travel with him alone. I have also been in a committed relationship for two years. When my aunt's youngest daughter got married last year, I clearly stated that I would not be able to attend because of these limitations. Now her son is getting married. The family sent out an electronic invitation ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My best friend "Pat" and I live on opposite sides of the country. I am very concerned about Pat's daughter and granddaughter, "Mandy." Pat's son-in-law is verbally abusive. He calls Pat's daughter names and tells Mandy that Mommy is bad. Mandy is only 3 and already knows she has to be nice to Daddy so he doesn't yell at Mommy.

Pat's ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Every year like clockwork, we receive a holiday card from friends, which the wife addresses only to my husband. It is always a jolly card filled with their family adventures and achievements for the year, and it invariably leaves me wondering why she thinks it's OK to leave me off the envelope. My husband and I have been together for ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: When my lifelong friend "Cheryl" and I would talk once a week to catch up with each other's lives, she'd describe her other friends' woes in a really animated way, including a loud voice and extremely vulgar words about those friends. She even talked about her recently departed mother this way. Her mother had not been part of her life...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am 54 and already facing ageism. Some of my neighbors who are in their 30s and 40s make ageist statements aimed at me. These people do not know me but happen to live in my building. One time, I was wearing a brand-new purple winter coat I loved. It was a gift from a close friend. A woman complimented me on my coat, followed by, "I ...Read more