Life Advice
/Health
Parents Work On Messaging For Teen's Medical Issues
DEAR ABBY: After several months of weight loss, our preteen daughter was hospitalized after a trip to the ER. She was diagnosed with ARFID. It's an eating disorder we had never heard of but one in which the patient is NOT deliberately losing weight or attempting to change their body.
We canceled a vacation and have taken time off work to circle...Read more
Wife Is Unhappy With Her Birthday 'Gifts' -- And The Giver
DEAR ABBY: My husband took me on a trip for my birthday this year, only he didn't prepare for anything other than some sightseeing events. He didn't help plan for camping, didn't financially plan well for souvenirs or if we wanted to eat out, and had a crappy attitude the entire time. We got into an argument at almost every event we went to ...Read more
Friend's Romance Sits On A Foundation Of Bad Choices
DEAR ABBY: I think the world of "Celia," my best friend of 25 years. She has been there for me through many major ups and downs in my life. She is beautiful inside and out, well-educated and works hard.
Celia has been in a five-year relationship with an old friend I'll call "Vince." I think he is a nice guy, but not for her. He has no desire to...Read more
Spouse Would Prefer In-Laws To Stay In A Hotel
DEAR ABBY: My spouse and I (both women) have been together for 25 years. For half of them, we lived in the Middle East. We met while working as health care expatriates. My spouse is from South Africa and was raised very differently than I was.
When we finally returned to the U.S., we bought a house in a southern state where two of my brothers ...Read more
Widow Has No Interest In An Intimate Relationship
DEAR ABBY: Six months ago, I began seeing a man I like very much but don't want to be intimate with. We are in our "young" 70s, and both of us were widowed two years ago after 50-year marriages. We agreed early on that neither of us will remarry.
We are affectionate, and he'll occasionally kiss my cheek, nape of my neck or forehead. We hug. ...Read more
Best Friend Is Anything But One After Wine O'clock
DEAR ABBY: My best friend of 60 years lost her husband 13 years ago. She has one son, who is successful and busy with his young family. They try to include her in various family gatherings, but she always has an excuse as to why she can't attend -- she doesn't drive at night, doesn't like their friends, etc.
The truth is, she starts drinking at...Read more
Boyfriend Ignores Partner's Wishes For Their New Home
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I recently bought our first house together. It has an outdoor kitchen and other features he really likes. I like it too, but there have been some issues already in the first month or two. Lately, he's been wanting to have BBQs and get-togethers for his family. He invites all these people over who I don't know. I'm not...Read more
Blowup With Fiance Reveals True Status Of Relationship
DEAR ABBY: I've been with my boyfriend for a year and a half. We broke up for a while, but got back together and have been doing great, and we got engaged six months ago. Last week, we had a huge fight, where all my bottled-up resentment came out. I have tried to communicate my needs, but while he changes briefly, things always revert back to ...Read more
Son's Wife Prefers The Company Of Her Phone During Visits
DEAR ABBY: When my son got married in 2003, we had many good times with him and his wife. Things have changed now that we have cellphones. It's nearly impossible to have a relationship with her because when they come to our home, she's always on her phone! My son talks to his dad, and I'm left sitting there wondering what I should do.
Would you...Read more