ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been married to my husband for just over a year now, and I have been starting to get annoyed with how nice he is. Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but it's getting to a point where I am finally starting to see just how much he lets his family, friends and even strangers walk all over him. For example, his sister constantly ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I believed that wearing all black was proper dress for anyone at a funeral, or any such service. In recent years, though, this seems to have changed. "Church dress," or subdued outfits in muted colors, seem to be acceptable.

A friend told me that it is pretentious to dress in all black when the deceased is not a close friend ...Read more

Dear Annie: My 72-year-old father retired from his accounting job two years ago and appointed himself "Director of Operations" of my household.

He lives 15 minutes away and stops by unannounced at least three times a week. He's reorganized my garage ("Your shelving system was illogical"), corrected how my kids load the dishwasher and replaced...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My son took out a couple of education loans, which I cosigned when he was starting college 10 years ago. A couple of years ago, I found out (from someone else) that he never finished college. When I confronted him, he mentioned that he "intends" to finish college and is working toward it. He did not mention how many credits he has ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I have decided that we don't want to have kids. There are many reasons that I won't get into, but we believe it's best for us. The issue is that both sets of parents really want us to have kids. We have been married for two years, and they have started asking about it all the time. We are both so annoyed that we ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: One of my novels received a prestigious award. Upon learning this from a mutual friend, an acquaintance approached me and said, "Congratulations, but what a shame this didn't happen years ago when you were still young enough to enjoy it."

I gathered my 70-year-old wits and politely thanked the person without apologizing for ...Read more

Dear Annie: My younger sister is getting married in June and has asked me to be her maid of honor. I was genuinely touched -- until she handed me an extensive "wish list." It includes hosting a destination bachelorette weekend (on my dime until others reimburse me), attending dress fittings three hours away on weekdays, organizing a bridal ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am reaching out as a single mother grappling with a serious heart-lung condition. My son's father abandoned us when I was pregnant, and I haven't heard from him in more than a decade. Thankfully, my parents have been supportive co-parents during the years when my health made things incredibly challenging.

I have always encouraged ...Read more

Yes, your children can be a link to life outside parenthood. But how?

--At their religious school, be part of the services. Join the ladies auxiliary. Volunteer to host a meeting of the parents at your home. (Put those singles nights on hold for a while; taking part in your children's lives is much more gratifying.) Your kids will be proud of ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: As many of us know right now, the job market is extremely tight. I have been looking for a job for over eight months. Thankfully, I recently landed a position at a great company. I was even able to increase my salary, which is such a huge win -- especially because of inflation increasing the cost of living. However, I am starting...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My new ophthalmologist is a 35-year-old man whom I have known since he was 8 years old and I coached him in youth football. He was in my son's class, and I had frequent contact with him through his school years until he left for college.

So I saw him in the office and I said, "Dr. Smith, how good to see you." He insisted, "...Read more

Dear Annie: My children are trying to move me into assisted living, and I feel like I'm being slowly erased.

I am in my early 80s, and I still live in the home where I raised my kids. It is not fancy, but it is mine. I know every creaky stair. I know which window sticks in the winter. I have neighbors who check in on me, a routine that keeps ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Since I was a small boy, silk fabric has always made me feel "safe." I remember wearing tights in the bathroom in front of the mirror or under my pajamas. Throughout the years, if nobody was around after work, I continued, but not around my wife, kids or now grandkids. I don't know why I enjoy them now in my 50s. Is this OK, or is ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work in finance. Two weeks ago, I was told that I am being taken off of the project I'm working on and will be reassigned two new projects. I had no issue with this, but now my life at work is stressful because all of my time is still going to the project that I'm being transitioned off of, but there is no set date to when I ...Read more