ArcaMax

Dear Annie: This letter is in reference to the aunt and uncle who provided generous gifts to their six nephews, only to be forgotten when it came time for those same nephews to thank them.

I would suggest that they do what I have done with my 20 grandchildren: I'll give them birthday cards and gifts until age 18. At that time, I let them know ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been dating my boyfriend for almost eight years. We were high school sweethearts, and we are each other's first everything, so we've only been with each other.

I've had a guy friend for about six years because we worked together. We've since stayed friends once we both left our jobs. I do hang out with him, but I always let ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have two sons. My older one was always a source of difficulty growing up. He loved to read encyclopedias and science-related books. This led him to correct his teachers at times. Needless to say, this did not go well for him and made him an object of bullying in public school. I sent him to private school where they recognized his ...Read more

The victims of the shooting could have been at the table next to us at Olive Garden. Or, it could have been the shooters. It's hard to know.

The table had a group of young men, perhaps in their late teens or early 20s, wearing their grown bodies like oversized coats inherited from their fathers. My son and I shared the wall-length booth with ...Read more

Dear Annie: Some years ago, I went to a nearby office supply shop, where I saw a local couple looking around. The woman, a local musician, had Alzheimer's, but she seemed to recognize me, so we began a conversation. I don't recall what it was about, but it was the silliest, most illogical and the most fun conversation I've ever had with anyone. ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to my second husband for 38 years. He's a good man, and I'm blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father to our daughter. We've had our ups and downs, but for the most part, he has been a gift from God.

So what's the problem? He is often condescending and patronizing toward me. He frequently interjects a ...Read more

Dear Annie: My friend "Lauren" and I have been close since high school. We used to talk all the time and make plans regularly, but now I'm always the one reaching out. If I don't text or call first, I don't hear from her at all. When we do hang out, things are great, but that's only once every month or so.

I've asked if something is wrong, ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm struggling with how to handle my mother-in-law, "Karen." My husband, "Jake," and I have been married for five years, and we just had our first baby, "Emily," three months ago.

Since Emily was born, Karen has been over constantly. At first, I appreciated her help, but now it feels like she's taking over. She drops by ...Read more

Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted by those seven days? Oh, I remember now. You were feeling impatient with the waiting game and ready (almost) to make something happen now, soon, even though the love of your life isn't (yet) on the scene! The way I see it, passivity is no longer your style. You've been feeding yourself, a ...Read more

Dear Annie: Thousands of grandparents and extended family members are stepping in to raise children in today's world, often due to parents struggling with substance abuse. While many of us take on this responsibility out of love and necessity, it comes with its own set of emotional challenges.

As one of those grandparents, I've had to put my ...Read more