ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend discovered that I edit my pictures, and now I feel ashamed to face him. A mutual friend showed me an editing app that allows me to remove eye bags, slim down my face and adjust my waist to appear slimmer. For the past two years, I have used this app on every photo I post. I've noticed increased engagement and ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My son was invited to a high school dance by a young lady from another school. When he arrived to take group pictures, he was told he had to pony up for the limo and for his share of dinner. He ended up spending nearly $80 to go to a dance with a girl he barely knew.

I've always told him that his obligation upon being asked ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother-in-law passed away 10 years ago, and tragically, my sister, his wife, passed on two years later, leaving behind their three boys: "Tom" (14), "Freddie" (17) and "Dennis" (22).

Initially, my wife and I offered to take in Tom, the youngest, but the boys wanted to stay together. Dennis, the eldest, had just finished ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 10 years, together for 12. We have no children together, but I have four from a previous marriage. Two are grown and have moved out; two are still home and in high school.

When we got together, my husband stepped right up and became a wonderful stepdad. He has always been a provider, a listener,...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm currently in a tough spot where I'm considering moving out of my parents' house in the suburbs of Chicago, but my two older siblings, who live nearby, aren't stepping up to help out with our parents' care. I want to be independent and pursue my corporate career, but I also feel guilty about leaving my parents, who are both in...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Yet another Mother's Day and birthday have come and gone with no gift from my husband. What's worse, to me, is that he has done nothing to show our two little boys how to acknowledge Mommy on any special occasion.

On many occasions over the years, I have told my hubby point-blank that I don't care if he just takes the boys to...Read more

Dear Annie: After reading the letter from "Family Friend," who is concerned about the development of the 2-year-old child of a friend, I wanted to share my own experiences. Perhaps this child may not be speaking well because he is not hearing properly.

My daughter-in-law (special ed teacher and school counselor) felt that her eldest child, my...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm new to the LGBTQ+ community and finding it tough. I'm torn between living a happy life or being around my family, who don't 100% accept me as bisexual/asexual and involved with a transgender female. My new partner and I are happy together, but my family doesn't approve that I'm finally feeling happy and accepted by someone who ...Read more

The call came early in the morning from his mother. The matriarch of my husband's family, their nearly 100-year-old grandmother, had passed away.

Unbeknownst to me, funeral events happen quickly in their culture; the wake was scheduled for that evening, and the church service and burial would follow the next day, only a day after she died at ...Read more

Dear Annie: More than 25 years ago, my wife cheated, likely multiple times with multiple men. She wanted to divorce me, but I convinced her to go to couples therapy. I won't go into all the details, except this: The therapist recommended that she not share who the affair partner(s) were. They were a husband-and-wife team of therapists, and I ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: When my husband, "Wayne," and I were dating 15 years ago, he would occasionally get angry and stalk off or bust a bag of chips, but after I gave him time alone, he'd be back like nothing happened. He always said that episodes such as this were something he was "working on."

After we had children, the incidents continued occasionally....Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My close friend and I are both actively seeking employment in the same city and industry. We both recently lost our jobs at the same company and have been looking for about two months now. We live in New York City and have a shared circle of friends we are networking with and asking around for open positions. It seems to have ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: While my best friend and her partner do not believe in traditional marriage, they went to city hall following the birth of their child to ensure the family enjoyed the associated legal protections and privileges. There was no celebration, no announcements, and she told me directly that they did not want any gifts, although she...Read more

Dear Annie: When the time comes -- hopefully I pass before my loving husband and faithful partner of nearly 25 years, but if not -- I could use a few words of advice as to how to deal with my estranged step-daughter, her bitter mother (both vultures) and her young children who I've never met due to an unresolved falling out many years ago.

I ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My mom always catered to my dad when I was growing up. I was left to pretty much raise myself. Their drinking and social life were their priorities. I ended up pregnant at 16 and married to an abusive 21-year-old man, and I was divorced at 17.

After that, I was on my own. Mom never helped other than writing an occasional check so my ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently returned to the United States after studying abroad, and I have a whirlwind of emotions following my departure from the city that became my temporary home. I am sad to leave the friends I made from all over the world, and I'm also leaving behind a guy I connected with.

During my time abroad, I met an incredible guy ...Read more