Abigail Van Buren

Dear Abby | Widow’s loving boyfriend is also an incorrigible flirt

I’m not going to attempt to psychoanalyze a man I have never met. Heck, it’s hard enough to do when I know the person.

Dear Abby | Long hours, high debt doomed marriage man can’t let go of

Stalking your ex-wife on Facebook isn’t going to get you what you want.

Dear Abby | Daughter sees bleak future with mom she can’t stomach

You are responsible for your mother’s social life because you have placed yourself in that position.

Dear Abby | Adult daughter living at home interrupts mom’s private life

If she can’t adapt to that reality, she should live elsewhere. It may take her longer to afford her own house, but you will all be more comfortable.

Dear Abby | Man devoted to wife suffering Parkinson’s fulfills his vows

Your letter is inspirational. In your P.S. you asked me to print it to help others. Your letter, and others I’m including here, may help to put this sensitive subject into perspective.

Dear Abby | Hard work in gym pays off with arm-wrestling triumph

I’m average, fitness-wise, and work in an office. My girlfriend, who is naturally athletic, has belonged to a gym for a year. Our two fitness paths collided when I was enjoying a coffee with her and her training partner, “Trixi,” at her place one day.

Dear Abby | Family was absent the day wedding etiquette was taught

I belong to a family that doesn’t respond to RSVPs for weddings or wedding showers.

Dear Abby | Trampoline next door poses risk for sun-loving neighbor

I have really nice neighbors, and we are always pleasant to each other. We put up a large above-ground pool in our backyard, and they put up a trampoline.

Dear Abby | Tension mounts for tired mom who gets little help from dad

Postpartum depression is more than being tired and overscheduled. It’s a medical condition that, left untreated, can have serious consequences.

Dear Abby | Search begins for recipes to replace lost heirlooms

Having been a compulsive recipe collector for many years, I can imagine how frustrating it was to discover your recipes were gone.

Deary Abby | Mom is desperate to stop teen’s violent outbursts

At 13, it’s too soon to throw up your hands and give up. Because therapy and medication haven’t helped your son, I would have to ask what kind of therapist has been seeing him.

Dear Abby | Teen with older boyfriend keeps dangerously late hours

My daughter is 19 and lives with me. She is seeing a 26-year-old man who has a child with another woman he didn’t marry.

Dear Abby | Bride is drowning in details of planning a beach wedding

My fiance and I are looking forward to being married soon. The problem is, he wants a traditional wedding with bridesmaids and groomsmen, and I prefer a wedding at the courthouse.

Dear Abby | In-laws’ public scorn chips away at man’s confidence

I have a great marriage to an amazing woman. We have beautiful kids and are really happy together. The issue, however, is my in-laws.

Dear Abby | Preschooler being breastfed is a concern for her father

Our daughter turns 5 soon, and my wife still breastfeeds her to bed every night and wakes her a few times a night for more breastfeeding.

Dear Abby | Daughter’s declaration of love rocks relationship with mom

One reason gay people have “issues,” as you put it, is because they have to endure opposition and nonacceptance from the family members they love.

Dear Abby | Best friend’s invitation loses appeal as details are revealed

My boyfriend’s best friend asked if we could drive an hour to visit them and their children on Saturday.

Dedicated churchgoer seeks strength against temptation

I am a happily married man. I’m also a part of my church’s worship team and at the church three times a week. Two ladies are active in the church almost as much as I am.

Dear Abby | Retired husband’s wardrobe is too casual for wife’s comfort

Dear Abby: When I met my husband, he dressed impeccably – suits, sharp sport coats, monogrammed shirts, freshly pressed dress slacks, top-of-the-line leather shoes.

Dear Abby | Wife is annoyed that husband answers call of nature outside

Dear Abby: We moved to the country, but we’re not really far out of town.

Dear Abby | Family closes ranks against woman without boundaries

Dear Abby: I need advice badly.

Dear Abby: Nurse knocked into emotional tailspin by cancer diagnosis

A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.

Dear Abby | Long-ago lovers reconnect despite daughters’ objection

I had a brief affair with a married man 36 years ago. “Jerry” had left his wife after learning she was sleeping with his best friend.

Dear Abby | As widow moves on, mom hopes to claim son’s ashes

My adult son passed away two years ago at a young age. We were very close while he was growing up. He married young, and I maintained a great relationship with both him and his wife.

Dear Abby | Friends push single woman to date, but offer no help

Dear Abby: I’m 37 and still single.

Dear Abby | Visiting is a one-way street for sisters refusing to travel

Dear Abby: I have three sisters who won’t come to visit me.

Dear Abby | Husband invites wife to join him watching internet porn

Dear Abby: My husband is retired.

Dear Abby | Revelations about man’s past cloud hopes for bright future

Dear Abby: I recently started dating a man who, until now, has been everything I wanted – respectful, kind, caring, funny, the list goes on.

Dear Abby | Plans to live together fall apart as boyfriend backs out

My boyfriend, “Chris,” and I were planning on moving in together. We went apartment hunting and created a realistic budget we could both maintain.

Dear Abby | Age is a barrier to daughter joining mom’s social club

Dear Abby: I am part of a small social ladies group.

Dear Abby | Brother’s fiancee is unaware of his hidden opiate addiction

Dear Abby: My divorced 38-year-old brother is addicted to opiates.

Dear Abby | Marriage loses intimacy after accident disables husband

Dear Abby: Six years ago, my husband of 20 years was in a serious accident.

Dear Abby | Bride accuses mom of using wedding to spotlight herself

Dear Abby: Once I announced my engagement, my already thin, fit mother went on a diet and lost 20 pounds.

Dear Abby | With dad out of the country, boyfriend takes on parenting

My husband’s brother split from his wife, “Charlotte,” five years ago and now works and lives in another country. The brothers are still quite close.

Dear Abby | Mom assisting son’s job hunt stymied by internships

My son, a junior in college, is trying to get a summer job. His degree is challenging, and he has a good work ethic plus job experience.

Dear Abby | Girl feels guilty for partying during breakup with boyfriend

Dear Abby: I am a 17-year-old senior and have been dating the same boy for two years.

Dear Abby | Teen is struggling to rebuild connection to alcoholic mom

Dear Abby: My mom is a recovering alcoholic.

Dear Abby | Mom is rattled to learn son has started cross-dressing

Dear Abby: My son’s girlfriend confided to me that my son, age 35, is cross-dressing.

Dear Abby | Couple separates after acting class causes domestic drama

Dear Abby: When I was 70, I started taking drama classes twice a week (I still do).

Dear Abby | Girl is tempted to choose a college close to home

My daughter is graduating from high school and will be starting college. It was always her plan to go to a school away from our small town, and I supported that decision. However, six months ago she started dating her first real boyfriend.

Dear Abby | RV road trip with preteens is no vacation for teacher

My second-oldest sister wants to plan an elaborate road trip this summer that involves renting an RV and driving cross-country with our nieces to visit Disneyland. She feels that since I have the summer off, I should be more than happy to go on this trek.

Stories by Abigail