Life Advice
/Health
Wedding Woes
Dear Annie: I grew up with my mom. My father and I have always had a strained relationship. He is a recovering alcoholic. He says she wouldn't let me see him, but I remember him forgetting my birthday, promising to visit but not showing and telling me he's too busy. He once left me sitting on a doorstep, fully dressed for a father-daughter ...Read more
Passport Pitfalls
Dear Annie: My wife and I had planned to visit Europe this summer with our daughter and two grandchildren. When we checked in with the airline and gave them our passports, at JFK Airport in New York, they would not let me board the plane because my passport -- perfectly valid -- was due to expire in one month.
They said the country we were ...Read more
Struggling With Girlfriend's Hidden Past
Dear Annie: I've been in a committed relationship with my girlfriend, "Sarah," for three years. We live together and have been discussing marriage. However, I recently discovered something that's left me feeling confused and betrayed.
While cleaning out our closet, I stumbled upon a hidden stash of letters and mementos from her ex-boyfriend, ...Read more
Toxic Tension With In-Laws
Dear Annie: My wife's family ignores me and does not speak to me at any family events.
Her sister was visiting us in early 2024. We were driving to a synagogue event in my wife's honor. In the car, her sister told me that I was not allowed to say anything to her. I replied that it was my car and I can speak to whom I choose. She cursed me out...Read more
Protecting Family Bonds
Dear Annie: I have been divorced for 11 years. I have two daughters in their 20s, living mostly at home, and I just started dating a few years back. I was in a two-year relationship that I ended (because, among other reasons, he wanted me to spend all my weekends at his place), and I went back online and met the new Mr. last May.
We seemed to...Read more
Healing Tension in Blended Families
Dear Annie: My husband has five kids from a previous marriage. One was -- well, I'll say never overly friendly. The other four I thought we were good. But things blew up over something dumb. Now three of his girls do not talk to me. Which for me is fine. They think that I am too controlling with their father.
But they are also taking out ...Read more
Does Affection Breed Affection?
Dear Annie: Over the years, I have read numerous letters to advice columnists from women complaining their man doesn't show the amount of affection they want. Most advice has usually been for them to tell him what they want.
But my question is, what's the problem with showing him? I can't remember reading letters from women who say their man ...Read more
Abandonment and Abuse
Dear Annie: I want to thank you for sharing reader responses to "Emotional Blackmail," the woman who reconnected with her son after many years apart and is emotionally and financially drained. You've set a great example of how to correct a mistake with grace -- well done.
Now I would like to offer my own thoughts about the woman's situation, ...Read more
Repeated Rejections From Son
Dear Annie: I am a 56-year-old woman with two sons. I raised them mostly as a single parent. My oldest son is in the military, and my youngest is attending university to earn his bachelor's degree in fine arts.
My oldest and I are currently not on speaking terms. When his grandmother passed away, he was stationed in Korea and couldn't attend ...Read more
Dating My Ex-Husband
Dear Annie: I've been in a relationship with my boyfriend for about two years. He's actually my ex-husband from 25 years ago, and we reunited about 16 months ago. We do not live together, but he's made it clear that he wants to move in that direction and even hints that we should remarry. However, last March, we had a serious falling out and ...Read more
Do I Deserve a Referral Fee?
Dear Annie: I am in my late 60s, and my boyfriend, "Mark," is in his early 70s. We have been living together in my house for a year and a half. We're both divorced and have adult children from our previous marriages. Mark communicates daily with all five children via phone calls and text messages. My problem is that he's also regularly in ...Read more
Boyfriend Won't Step Up
Dear Annie: I am a single mother of two teenage girls. After a series of abusive relationships, I hadn't dated for two years until recently. A few months ago, I met a man, and we've been seeing each other and sharing intimate moments. But the way he acts has me very confused.
He says that marriage is something he's simply not interested in. I'...Read more
Dealing With Depression
Dear Annie: My ex-husband was very controlling and always had to have the upper hand in conversations. Today, we do all of our communicating through email only, but he still needs to end all correspondence on his terms.
We have been divorced for three years now, but he still thinks he can control me because we have a joint parenting plan, which...Read more
Forgive to Reconnect With Sons
Dear Annie: My wife and I have been married for four years. I have never been married before, and my wife, "Gertrude," was divorced when we married.
While dating, Gertrude told me about how her ex-husband would verbally abuse her and her child. But now Gertrude is treating me the same way she says she was treated by her ex, making the same ...Read more
Battling My Son's Depression
Dear Annie: My son is soon to be 23 years old. He was two courses short of earning his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science when something bad happened. He would not tell me what. He fell apart and did not graduate.
That was two years ago. We got him into counseling, and he saw several different counselors; he was in group therapy, ...Read more
Learning to Forgive
Dear Annie: About a year ago, after talking to a nice guy who could also be a royal pain -- especially when things don't go his way -- I decided to let him into my heart. I did this even though I am usually pretty well guarded and don't allow too many people close to me. I am one of those people who don't feel comfortable sharing my emotions ...Read more
Feeling Uncomfortable Because of Friend's Gross Habit
Dear Annie: After reading the story and response to "Poor Personal Habits" a while back about a father-in-law who makes constant noise and picks his ears and nose at the dinner table and in public, I am compelled to ask for your advice.
I am 62, happily married and an avid hiker. While on an adventure, I met another hiker who is 28 years old ...Read more
Grandma Struggles With Guilt and Boundaries
Dear Annie: I'm a 58-year-old grandmother to two grandchildren: a 7-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl. I've been their primary caregiver (besides their parents) since they were born. I still play a significant role in their lives, visiting often on weekends and staying for a couple of nights at a time since I live an hour away.
Here's where...Read more
Balancing Boundaries in Blended Family
Dear Annie: I am writing because I am not sure if I am being "prudish" or "straitlaced."
I will give you a little background. I am 63 years old; my husband is almost 70. We have been married 12 years, together 14. His first wife passed away, and I am divorced (I had been divorced for 19 years when I met him). He absolutely swept me off my ...Read more