ArcaMax

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Annie: I am so jealous of my mother; it is ruining my life. It is all I obsess about. Three years ago, she met a younger man at a supermarket where she worked. He was 40 then, and she was 52. Three years later and they are happily married and she has become the most spoiled woman I know. She was always slim and beautiful but now dresses ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for over 40 years. He is 75, and I'm 70. I'd always felt secure in my husband's love and devotion and had not had an issue with trust until a younger, single woman in her 50s moved near us about four years ago. He told me he had stopped by to introduce himself, that she's really nice and that he ...Read more

Dear Annie: I recently started planning a joint destination birthday celebration with a dear friend. There are a few other women invited to join us in celebrating a milestone birthday. We are very much looking forward to it and have been talking about it for a few years.

I booked the accommodation after all women agreed they could attend. The...Read more