Life Advice
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Study-Abroad Student Feels Guilty For Not Missing Home
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 20-year-old student who recently relocated temporarily to Europe. I have been living here for two months, and I love it. I have recently been feeling guilty because I have done a poor job of keeping in touch with my family. I was raised to be extremely independent, so I don't often rely on my parents or older sisters for ...Read more
I Keep Stumbling Into Proposals!
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Twice, now, I have become an accidental intruder on a couple's proposal during my regular walking excursions (after work and on weekends).
The first occurred on the campus of the university where I am employed, near a pad-mounted transformer and busy roundabout. I was willing to chalk my unfortunate presence up to his poor ...Read more
Inheritance Issues and Husband's Inappropriate Ogling
Dear Annie: My parents have had property for many, many years. This property was to be divided among us kids upon their death.
My father passed away, which puts my mother in charge of everything.
Recently, we found out that she gave ALL this property to one of our siblings.
We were always a close-knit family, but this has caused a huge rift...Read more
Ask Amy: Estrangement extends through generations
Dear Amy: My boyfriend of 10 years (with a few breaks) does not have a close relationship with his parents and really no relationship at all with his two siblings.
Little things have happened through the years that have upset people, and no one ever communicates or makes up with each other.
He also doesn't have good relationships with his ...Read more
Birthday Party No-Shows Come At A Cost For Host
DEAR ABBY: I recently hosted my husband's birthday. It was a great party. I reserved for 85 people, including the DJ, his assistant, the party planner and her crew. On the day of the event, 20% of the guests who RSVP'd did not show up. One couple said their two daughters had a debut party that night. Another family said their son had an outing. ...Read more
Millennial Life: There's No Place Like Home
I didn't know how much I must have been hated as an apartment dweller. I lived in the same complex, moving into different units for different reasons, for 10 years. However, when you talk about apartments with some people, it's as if the worst of the worst crawl out of them and slink into our streets.
While living in the apartment, I worked at ...Read more
St. Patrick's Day Inspiration
Dear Readers: Happy St. Patrick's Day. Here are some famous and uplifting Irish blessings to add a little sunshine to your day.
An Old Irish Blessing for St. Patrick's Day
"May your days be many and your troubles be few. / May all God's blessings descend upon you. / May peace be within you, may your heart be strong. / May you find what you'...Read more
Ask Amy: Marriage to a problem drinker has disintegrated
Dear Amy: I married my high school sweetheart. We’ve been together for 50 years.
We had a great sexual relationship until five years ago.
My husband has a serious drinking problem which I have tolerated for decades. He has called me nasty and vulgar names, and now does nothing but watch TV and drink. When my father died last year, he didn’...Read more
Relative Offended By Couple's Change To Wedding Plans
DEAR ABBY: A relative is getting married, and the RSVP date has passed. It was announced many months ago and was to be a big, formal church wedding, with eight or nine groomsmen and bridesmaids, a flower girl and ring bearer, followed by a reception.
On the last day of the RSVP deadline, the couple sent out a postcard stating: "Change of plans!...Read more
Addicted Reader Wants To Stop Gaming
DEAR HARRIETTE: My gaming addiction has led me to spend excessive amounts of time on my game, causing me to neglect my husband and become easily angered with my child. I recognize that my behavior is hurting those I love, and I am desperate to find a way to overcome this addiction and repair the damage it has caused. I feel consumed by the need ...Read more
Am I Expressing Empathy, Or Making It About Me?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: When friends or co-workers tell me about personal problems or physical issues they are experiencing, and I have had similar issues, I'm at a loss as to whether I should share my experience.
I have often been through the same thing they are describing, or I know someone who has, and I have relayed those experiences in the past...Read more
Haunted by Granddaughter's Addiction and Death
Dear Annie: Our granddaughter had been on drugs for several years. She had been in and out of jail and rehabs. She had two children, ages 1 and 2. She basically abandoned them, so we all decided tough love and prayer were the answer.
She was found by the side of the road where someone dumped her, dead or dying from a drug overdose. Now we all...Read more
Ask Amy: High-schooler wants to avoid ex’s drama
Dear Amy: I’m a high school student, and I have an issue with my ex-boyfriend.
We dated for two years but then I broke up with him back in November. We got together again and tried to make it work, but I ended it again with him in early January.
Our relationship wasn't good. He was a very controlling person, wanting to decide what clothing I...Read more
Daughter Isn't Truthful About Her Relationship
DEAR ABBY: My daughter was 4 when we adopted her. She's 23 now, going to college and moving into an apartment soon. She has been the center of our lives, since our older children are grown. We have supported her through abandonment issues, lost boyfriends, school, everything. We went through cancer treatment with her. She acts like things are ...Read more
Readers Respond To "Anxieties On Getting Old"
DEAR READERS: I got so many great responses to the letter from "Anxieties on Getting Old" that I am printing two of them for you to enjoy. I love when you write to me with your questions and responses. Keep them coming!
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have some additional ideas for you in answering "Anxieties on Getting Old."
This person was worried about ...Read more
When You Don't Feel Like Playing The '29 Again?' Game
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I just turned 43. I've worked hard to achieve a level of success I'm comfortable with and have taken pretty good care of myself. In short, I am happy to be exactly where I am in life.
When my birthday rolled around, a number of people gave sly winks and said, "Oh, are you 21 now?" or "Turning 30?"
At first, I responded ...Read more
Learning It's OK to Lean On Others
Dear Annie: Please give me your opinion. I am an 84-year-old widow. I have one child, a son, and one grandchild in town. My other children live hours away. I no longer drive. I am financially independent and have someone to come clean twice a month, drive me to run errands, go to the doctor, do grocery shopping and take me to the beauty shop. ...Read more
Ask Amy: Manager is getting menaced at work
Dear Amy: I am a manager at my job.
Last June, a new employee transferred from a different unit. She was very upset the first couple of days. She also had a fear of reporting to her new supervisor (not me) because she thought she “looked mean.”
I explained how I manage and how our team works. She was appreciative.
She started bringing me ...Read more
Estranged Daughter Is Out Of Loop On Dad's Health
DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, our 40-year-old daughter, "Tanya," suddenly accused me of abusing her during her childhood. She also accused my husband, her dad, of enabling this abuse. Abby, the abuse never happened!
Could some therapist have planted these ideas in her head? Tanya has problems with alcohol (which she blames on me) and has been ...Read more
Reader With Diabetes Needs To Change Lifestyle
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am still living an unhealthy lifestyle that includes consuming soft drinks, despite being diagnosed with diabetes. I recognize that this habit is detrimental to my health and could worsen my condition, but I find it difficult to break free from it. I need guidance on how to shift my mindset and make healthier choices for my ...Read more
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