You brought up a great idea in a meeting, and the team ran with it … they ran so far, in fact, the idea is no longer yours. It’s now a “team effort.” Or maybe you offered your boss a keen insight, one they took right to the executive team, proudly presenting it as their own. Perhaps you stay… Read moreWhen someone takes credit for your work

DEAR ABBY: I’m having a big problem with my boyfriend. We had a baby five months ago, and since then he has changed drastically. He previously had a problem with addiction, but had a handle on it. He told me the baby was powerful motivation. My pregnancy was blissful, and he was attentive an… Read moreBoyfriend abuses substances after baby's birth

DEAR ABBY: Thirty years ago, I had an affair with “Roger,” a married man. We worked together and fell in love. At the time, Roger was married with three children. My husband and I were separated, and I had one son. The 15-year age gap between us didn’t matter to me. I admired him. Roger was … Read moreMother keeps identity of son's father secret

DEAR ABBY: I used to have a great relationship with my mother-in-law. I considered her one of my best friends, until her severe drug and alcohol abuse began to ruin her life. Her mental health issues came out in full force, and her lashing out reached a peak shortly before I married her son.… Read moreWoman wants distance from mother-in-law

DEAR ABBY: My dad had a stroke. My siblings and I (there are three of us) needed someone to care for him, since we all work full time. I asked my stepson, “Miles,” who was living in Tennessee, if he could help us out by moving to Washington state and caring for Dad during the day (Miles work… Read moreFamily continues to honor man's sacrifices

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 11 months. We’ve been together five years and have lived together for the last three. This is my second marriage and his third. I have put up with a lot from him and overlooked way too much. He isn’t affectionate, doesn’t kiss me hello or goodbye… Read moreMarriage rocky shortly after vows

DEAR ABBY: While doing some genealogy research during the pandemic, I came across my maternal grandfather’s death certificate. I knew he had died at a fairly young age during the Depression. But I was shocked to learn that he had committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in his car in t… Read moreFamily secret troubles surviving relative

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married nine years and have four children, ages 5, 3, 2 and 9 months. For the past three years, my husband has been attending a weeklong music festival where he camps with a group of friends, many of whom are single. He met most of them attending this pa… Read moreHusband's trips don't play well at home

DEAR READERS: Welcome to 2023! A new year has arrived, and the last one is behind us. As always, this new year brings with it our hopes for a new beginning. Read moreHappy New Year; opportunities await

DEAR ABBY: I was married to a man whose family always seemed to be in each other’s business. His 18-year-old niece already had two children when she became pregnant again. She hid it from everyone. When she was eight months gone, she came to me and told me she wanted to adopt the baby out to… Read moreSecret leads to havoc when family finds out

DEAR ABBY: I have always been the outsider in my family. My grandma raised me because Mom was an alcoholic and ran the streets with her boyfriend. My grandma died three months ago, and I have been having a hard time dealing with it. Read moreAbsent mom uses guilt to manipulate child

DEAR ABBY: I am a woman in my late 30s. I have had a few failed relationships and a marriage that ended in divorce. At one point, I juggled three lovers at a time. I like being in a committed relationship, but I have yet to be faithful to any partner I have ever dated. Read moreWoman prefers the hunt over monogamy

DEAR ABBY: I’m 55 and own my home. “Randall,” 53, lives with me and pays me rent. We used to be a couple, but COVID caused too much togetherness. He’s in the spare bedroom now. My house is cheaper for him than anywhere else he could go. I was trying to be nice. Read moreRoommate has worn out his welcome

DEAR ABBY: I am a senior in high school in a long-distance relationship. My boyfriend, “Grant,” and I live two states apart and have visited each other several times. He’s four years older than I am. We met three years ago, when Grant was 19 and I was 15, and became friends through banter on… Read moreTeen plans future of long-distance relationship

DEAR ABBY: I recently went out to a bar with some friends. I was the designated driver because I no longer drink. I had a drinking problem, but I have been sober for almost seven years. The majority of the people I socialize with are supportive of my sobriety – except one. Read moreWoman's trick ends in angry splash

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been married six years, and ever since we’ve been married, my husband’s daughter has insisted that I can’t come to her house that my husband has a mortgage on. Read moreWoman still getting stepdaughter's cold shoulder

DEAR ABBY: My husband of 2 1/2 years was having an affair with a much younger woman for what I believe was about two months. I never suspected. It ended because he got caught. I was devastated and asked him to leave that night. He always seemed uninterested in sex, and when we had sex, it wa… Read moreMan's cheating makes wife feel stuck

DEAR ABBY: My father passed away a couple of years ago, and my mother passed on recently. I have noticed something that I would like to share with your readers. When I came back to work after the funeral, many well-meaning friends and co-workers approached me to express their sympathy. Read moreChoose right time for sympathy

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have always had a big hand in helping our daughter “Lauren” raise her three kids, ages 5, 10 and 15. She has moved in with us and out many times. About a year ago, she decided she would not do it again. Instead, she moved in with a boyfriend. Read moreDesperate grandchildren get stable home

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I moved into a new rental house on my best friend’s property a year ago. We love living here. We moved to be closer to my friend, “Noah,” who is like a brother to me. He and his wife live on the same property. Read moreMarriages, illnesses complicate land deal

DEAR ABBY: I am an only child and I love my mother. My father passed away after a short illness three years ago, leaving my mother a widow. My problem is, she calls me multiple times a day. I’m not one of those women whose mom is my best friend or someone who enjoys talking on the phone. If … Read moreWidowed mom's calls wear on child

Happy Birthday for Dec. 5: Look for solutions that will help ward off conflicts. Aim to remain calm and build an environment that is mellow and rich with information, creativity and physical activity. Keep the momentum flowing and the excitement and anticipation mounting, and you will get th… Read moreSteady pace key to get where you want to be, Gemini

QUESTION: I can understand why people who have public ministries are said to be doing the work of the Lord, but what does it mean when people say that the church is the body of Jesus on Earth? That is very hard to comprehend. – E.B. Read moreMy Answer: The people of God

QUESTION: I am trying to teach my children about the true meaning of Christmas and it’s hard to do when the holiday has been turned into a commercial event about all the wrong things. Shouldn’t it be more about the infant Jesus and the sweet story of that first Christmas night? – C.S. Read moreMy Answer: The real Christmas message goes far deeper

QUESTION: I get frustrated with my friends who tell me that what we determine as truth, is truth. I reject that but I can’t quite seem to explain it clearly to them. – T.C. Read moreMy Answer: Truth is timeless

DEAR ABBY: I read the letter from the woman who is feeling alone at 66 and pondering the purpose of life (“Living Life in Texas,” July 25). Assuming she’s in good health, she’s a spring chicken compared to a 90-year-old. Allow me to offer some suggestions on how she can recapture the spark o… Read moreReader says there's plenty of time to get busy living

OLD ROMANCE REKINDLED AMID CURRENT MARRIAGE Read moreOld romance rekindled amid current marriage

DEAR ABBY: My daughter is about to turn 14 and wants to get a job. We just found out that in our state, 14- and 15-year-olds can work if they get a permit. I’m very concerned. I tried negotiating with her by telling her that her dad and I will give her a job at home and pay her, but she insi… Read moreMother fears for daughter as teen enters workforce

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 30-something bisexual man who is in a relationship with a bisexual woman the same age. We both lived different lives and dated a variety of people before we met, but now I am pretty certain she is The One. The issue arises when it comes to how others, particularly my parents… Read moreBisexual couple plan life together on their terms

DEAR ABBY: I was taught to write handwritten thank-you notes when I received a gift. Over the last few years, my gifts have been acknowledged with a brief text, Facebook post, a photo or not at all. I enjoy giving gifts, but the lack of response I receive from today’s younger folks leaves me… Read moreOld-fashioned custom still best way to say 'thanks'

DEAR ABBY: My parents were married for 22 years. They separated in 2007, and by 2008 the divorce was final. While this was a good thing for both of them, the fallout from their marriage was intense. I won’t dig into the ugly details, but they both had their faults, and it was rough. Read moreCouple's divorce still a raw subject after 10-plus years

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 59-year-old single man who was dating a 42-year-old woman for the past three years. The whole time we dated she was going through a divorce. I supported her and helped her through it. The papers were signed four months ago. Her relationship with her ex started when she was 1… Read moreDear Abby: Woman's temper torpedoes three-year romance

DEAR ABBY: I’m a middle-aged married man and the father of two. Although I work as a banker, I’m also an aspiring pianist. I have practiced two to three hours a day for many years. My music is unique – unlike anything ever heard. My wife of 18 years does not appreciate my music. She never co… Read moreDear Abby: Music man believes marriage raining on parade

FROM ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION Read moreDear Abby: Couple in friends group are constant complainers

DEAR ABBY: My dear friend “Rose’s” husband died five years ago. Since then, she has struggled with grief and loneliness. She immersed herself in her church, friends and family. Read moreDear Abby: Widow essentially disappears after beginning new romance

DEAR ABBY: I have been raising my daughter’s first child. “Joey” is 10, and he has been living with my husband and I full time for four years. I love him very much and enjoy being his “mom,” but I’m not good at helping him with homework. My daughter doesn’t have time for him. She has two oth… Read moreDear Abby: Grandma raising boy eager to live her life

DEAR ABBY: Since my divorce, I have started dating again. I was seeing a firefighter until I realized he was married with kids. Yes, I was angry with him for hiding the truth from me from the start. Then I started dating another guy I thought was the one for me. I even had him move in with me. Read moreDear Abby: Divorcee's dating life has been a roller coaster ride

DEAR ABBY: I’m having a problem with my husband’s judgmental and narcissistic stepmom. She wasn’t nice to him or his siblings while they were growing up. My hubby recently had a heart attack. After I called to tell his dad and emailed his siblings, she got very upset with me because I didn’t… Read moreDear Abby: Angry, abusive stepmother impossible to deal with

DEAR ABBY: My soon-to-be husband and I are moving back to our hometown in the months prior to our wedding. This is, in part, to make wedding organizing easier since we’re having it near home. We have other weddings to attend this season, and we need to reduce our living expenses while we sav… Read moreDear Abby: Woman's drinking affects living options

DEAR ABBY: I just attended my son’s wedding. He married a wonderful woman, and I couldn’t be happier for them. However, I was not acknowledged during their wedding reception, which deeply saddened me. Read moreDear Abby: Ex-wife's snub in wedding speech saddens groom's father

FROM ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION Read moreDear Abby: Amazing connection with married man destined to fizzle out

DEAR ABBY: I have a brother I can’t seem to get along with anymore. Sometimes he’s OK, but most of the time he’s not. I visited him recently for a cookout, and it wasn’t good. He got into an argument with his wife, shattered a glass, tried to fight me out of the blue, and talked about extrem… Read moreDear Abby: Angry outbursts hit at home and work

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been married for 22 years. Our son is leaving for Marine boot camp the day after his 18th birthday. He will be a third-generation Marine, and we are extremely proud of him. He will be stationed in California, several states away from us. Our soon-to-be 21-year-old daughter gr… Read moreDear Abby: Mom can't overcome grief about empty nest

DEAR ABBY: My 9-year-old daughter, “Kennedy,” plays volleyball. One of the assistant coaches is a transgender woman. I had known about the coach before Kennedy started playing. Although I’m OK with a transgender person coaching my child (I feel their gender identity is absolutely none of my … Read moreDear Abby: Dad's discomfort with trans coach could derail daughter's fun

DEAR ABBY: My aunt is a money-hungry, conniving thief. From the time I was a baby, she always bought me gifts. But when her parents (my grandparents) died, she literally stole more than $200,000 from them. She claims my grandfather willed it all to her, which is not true because he detested … Read moreDear Abby: Aunt's broken promises feed old grudge

DEAR ABBY: I am an out gay Black man. Several weeks ago, the man I have had a crush on told me he’s now in a relationship. While I’m happy for him, I can’t help feeling somewhat resentful because I wanted to be with him. I haven’t dated anyone since my last relationship ended seven years ago… Read moreDear Abby: Disappointed in love, but making right moves

DEAR ABBY: For my 50th birthday 10 years ago, my father, with whom I have had a tumultuous relationship, gave me cherished rings as gifts. One was my grandmother’s and the other was my grandfather’s, both of whom are deceased. This was at a time when we were in a good place, and it meant the… Read moreDear Abby: Dad reverses course on gift after political disagreement

FROM ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION Read moreDear Abby: Family friend develops sense of entitlement

DEAR ABBY: I was married for more than 40 years. My ex constantly badmouths me to everyone. He got to our grown daughter early during our separation, and it’s clear to me she has sided with him. He’s a very intelligent narcissist who manipulates people and they’re not even aware of it. Our d… Read moreDear Abby: Woman fears ex-husband has turned daughter against her

DEAR ABBY: I’m so disgusted. My husband has started walking around the house with no underwear, letting it all hang out, so to speak. Then he makes comments like, “Doesn’t this look good?” I’m sickened by his behavior. I feel violated. How do I tell him to stop without hurting his male pride… Read moreDear Abby: Husband wearing birthday suit at home

DEAR DAVE: I need help. I am way behind on my basic utilities and my taxes. I have tried to start the Baby Steps, but everything is so overwhelming right now that it is easy to get discouraged. Read moreDave Ramsey: Before starting Baby Steps, get current on bills