Life Advice
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Parenting Comes Full Circle
Dear Annie: When my daughter was little, I met with a potential employer who asked about my family. I told him I had a 2-year-old, and he said something I've never forgotten: His daughters were grown, and his greatest joy was talking with them as adults and realizing he had raised two amazing women. Now, at 75, I understand exactly what he ...Read more
Inmate Suspects Girlfriend Of Affair With His Brother
DEAR ABBY: I have been incarcerated for 21 months. I stay in contact with my immediate family, except for my brother. I suspect that he slept with my girlfriend a couple of weeks before I came to prison, although I'm not 100% sure. He tells our family members that it isn't true and that he wants me to reach out. But I don't know if I can until I...Read more
Millennial Life: There Should Be Signs
There's a joke that goes, "I wouldn't tell anyone that I won the lottery, but there would be signs." Most recently, I told a friend that I'd buy her a vintage car that could park next to my brand-new-to-me DeLorean.
My fantasy of coming into money -- maybe through the lottery, or forgotten Bitcoin, or a long-lost magical trust fund -- always ...Read more

Asking Eric: After getting caught and failing polygraph, husband still swears he’s not unfaithful
Dear Eric: My husband has been having an affair with a neighbor two doors down. Not only have I caught them multiple times, but I also confronted both separately, and recorded video and audio after telling them I would.
He said he wanted to take a polygraph; he failed on every question, on two separate polygraphs by two separate companies.
I�...Read more
Boundaries in Shared Spaces
Dear Annie: When my husband and I retired, I imagined we'd spend more time together -- relaxing, traveling, maybe picking up some hobbies. But to my surprise, he dove headfirst into a new phase of life, setting up a home office to work on electronic projects he never had time for during his career.
The problem was, I kept interrupting him ...Read more
Man Hopes Statement Of Affection Isn't Taken The Wrong Way
DEAR ABBY: I recently reconnected with a woman I dated briefly in the 1980s and haven't seen since. She's around my age. We both were married one year apart, had daughters one year apart, and got divorced after 20-year marriages. She spotted me on a social media site and suggested I call her to "catch up on things," which I did.
This led to an ...Read more

Asking Eric: Wife left a gift to niece in her will, but husband hesitates to hand it over
Dear Eric: When my wife and I updated our wills, she designated a diamond tennis bracelet and diamond stud earrings to her niece (she had no biological children of her own). Later that month my wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer to which she would succumb 19 months later. My daughter (my wife’s stepdaughter) is a radiation oncologist ...Read more
Roommate's Mood Impacts Everyone Around Her
DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend and I are roommates. No one told me this might be a risky decision, but I guess I'm learning the hard way. Sometimes she can be moody, and when she gets that way, everyone is subject to her heavy, somber, icy energy. It can be draining. If she has a bad day, she can't conceal it. Maybe she thinks she is hiding it ...Read more
Wanted: Time Alone
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I attend a small college of about 550 students. Although I am on friendly terms with many of them, my close friend group is about five people.
Lately I've been dealing with clingy folks who don't give me space. They will demand conversations as late as 11 p.m., walk with me wherever I go, and whenever they see me, they want ...Read more
Close, Closer, Committed?
Dear Annie: I recently reconnected with a former co-worker I was very close to -- so close that many of our co-workers once thought we were dating, which was a big no! When we ran into each other, we shared a longer than normal embrace, and she gave me a peck on the cheek. I did the same. We agreed to a dinner date that upcoming weekend.
When...Read more
Move Closer To Family Creates Distance Instead
DEAR ABBY: I made a terrible mistake moving 2,000 miles across the country to be closer to my grandchildren. In the past, I have always noticed my son and daughter-in-law treated the other grandparents better. They roll out the red carpet for my daughter-in-law's parents. They arrange outings with them, take photos and post the special ...Read more

Asking Eric: After wife’s death, widower is not ready for family visits yet
Dear Eric: My wife recently passed away and I am doing OK. Several of my wife's senior children keep wanting to come and visit me. How do I politely say no without hurting their feelings? When they have come before, I was stressed as to how to entertain them for a week. They think I am being helped by their visit but actually I would prefer ...Read more
Reader Wants To Pinpoint Trigger For Tics
DEAR HARRIETTE: Since I was young, I've found that I've always had strange anxiety-induced habits -- pulling at the edges of my hair, sucking my thumb, picking at scabs, etc. Over time, I'd find a solution, or I'd just sort of grow out of it. At present, I scratch the insides of my palms when I'm nervous, stressed or frustrated. I think I may do...Read more
'no Comment' May Be Best Option
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A person I have known for many years has just been arrested and charged with horrific crimes. I would not say we were ever close friends, just cordial acquaintances. It seems likely this person will not walk free again for many years, if ever.
I want to reach out and write a letter to them in jail. What would be appropriate ...Read more
Everyone's Therapist -- but Who Listens to Me?
Dear Annie: I enjoy reading your advice and hope you have some for me.
I've always been the person people come to with their problems. I'm told I'm a good listener, likely because of my own counseling journey. I often suggest therapy or AA to others, especially when addiction is involved.
I grew up in an abusive, alcoholic environment and ...Read more
Widow Is Tired Of Being Alone After Four Months
DEAR ABBY: My husband passed away four months ago. I miss him terribly, but I'm ready to move on. I want to begin dating, but I don't know how to go about it. Some may say it's too soon, but I couldn't care less what people think.
I have my eye on several men I think may be interested, but they're not paying much attention to me. I think they'...Read more

Asking Eric: Mother of disabled son is tired of well-meaning advice
Dear Eric: My 30-year-old son is severely physically disabled due to a debilitating muscle disease. He requires 100 percent assistance with all life functions. He does not have any cognitive disabilities, is very intelligent and earned a bachelor's degree. My husband retired a couple of years ago and is his main caregiver.
People who are ...Read more
Argument Brings Up Friend's Insecurities
DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend and I were watching a reality show where contestants try to find love. At one point, we got into a friendly debate about whether one of the couples on the show was genuinely in love. She was convinced that they were, while I had my doubts and said I didn't think their connection seemed all that real. What started as a ...Read more
Family Feud: Comment Section Edition
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Some time ago, one of my wife's nephews (a grown man in his 40s) came across an opinion I had written in a digital publication. He didn't like it, so he insulted me in the public commentary section. I shrugged it off.
The next day, he went hunting online for another opinion of mine he didn't like, and insulted me again so ...Read more
Boundaries Under One Roof
Dear Annie: My husband and I live in a three-bedroom house with our two grown children. Recently, our youngest daughter had a baby and moved back home -- bringing her boyfriend with her. We told her beforehand that he couldn't stay here, but they moved him in anyway. Now, the two of them -- and their baby -- are living out of her bedroom.
...Read more
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