ArcaMax

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

I've been breaking my noggin over some proposed ordinances the last few weeks, asking nearly everyone who happens across my path what they think of these proposed laws that I'll have to vote on as city councilor. And I mean everyone from hospital staff to store owners, from nonprofit administrators to my therapist, who really gets to hear more ...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

For the record, this columnist needs a posting of her own. Needled by some recent reader comments -- not always in the most generous spirit -- she (moi) needs to air some thoughts in response. Bear with me, all ye of good faith, as I take time to vent my spleen.

For openers, this column is not dedicated to partnering every extant/breathing ...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