All articles tagged with #advice column
A man dating someone for four months, who has kissed only once, seeks guidance. Dear Abby recommends continuing to let the relationship develop at a slow pace, given her history of two abusive marriages. If, after about eight more months, she still won’t call him boyfriend or define the relationship, they should reassess their plans and his investment.
A mother expresses disappointment in her parents and in-laws for not being as involved with her toddler as they had promised before her birth. Her parents are busy with work and caring for a child with autism, while her in-laws prioritize leisure activities. Dear Abby advises her to accept the situation and not let anger affect her relationships. In another query, a wife notices her husband, who vowed to diet, is secretly eating her chocolates. Abby suggests addressing it lightly if his weight loss has stalled.
In an advice column, R. Eric Thomas addresses a situation where a man named Tom is dealing with his brother, Dick, who has mismanaged and misappropriated funds from their late parents' estate. Dick, as executor, has paid himself excessively and undervalued estate assets to Tom. Despite Tom's desire to maintain their relationship, he is forced to take legal action to remove Dick as executor and recover funds. Thomas advises supporting Tom by affirming his decisions and assisting with legal proceedings, while acknowledging the emotional complexity of the sibling relationship.
In the "Asking Eric" advice column, R. Eric Thomas addresses concerns about a friend's obsession with messaging supposed celebrities on Telegram, warning it may be a scam. He advises checking resources like the FBI's website for signs of romance scams and suggests a vetting process for verifying celebrity identities. Emphasizing safety and financial caution, he recommends discussing these concerns with the friend and setting boundaries, such as only spending money on legitimate concert tickets or albums.
A man who cheated on his ex-wife and remarried is struggling with jealousy and resentment as he sees his ex-wife thriving in her new life. He seeks advice on how to reframe his perspective and improve his current situation.
A woman seeks advice after her husband leaves her and their two young children, revealing a pattern of him abandoning previous families as well. She questions whether she should have seen the warning signs earlier.
A mother seeks advice on reconnecting with her adult children who have not spoken to her since her divorce in 2009. Despite attempts to reach out, she has been ignored and excluded from family events. The advice columnist suggests expressing remorse for any pain caused and continuing to reach out with patience, understanding that healing will take time.
A reader is questioning whether they are too sensitive after being hurt by their partner's insulting jokes, and a professional comedian consulted by advice columnist Amy suggests that the partner is being annoying and not considering the reader's feelings. In another letter, a grieving pet owner suggests making donations to pet rescues in lieu of sending flowers to those mourning a pet, which Amy endorses as a thoughtful gesture. Additionally, a recommendation is made for using Meetup.com to find local groups and make new friends, which Amy confirms as a great idea.
In the "Ask Amy" advice column, a reader expresses frustration with their partner's mean-spirited jokes, such as calling them an "old bag," which the partner believes to be funny. Amy consults comedian Josh Gondelman, who explains that humor at someone's expense is only funny if the audience (in this case, the partner) is amused. Since the reader is not, the joke is a failure. Gondelman suggests that the partner is being annoying and not considering the reader's feelings. Amy advises the reader to reassess their sensitivities, share the comedian's perspective with their partner, and disengage while the partner rethinks their approach to humor.
A pansexual woman is contemplating ending her relationship with her non-binary partner due to a lack of sexual attraction, despite their conventional attractiveness and success. She feels guilty because they are kind and consider her their ideal type. The advice given suggests that sexual incompatibility is a valid reason to leave a relationship and encourages an honest conversation with the partner about her feelings and potential solutions, such as opening up the relationship or amicably splitting. The importance of handling the situation ethically and kindly is emphasized to maintain her self-image.
An individual struggling with heightened anxiety due to life changes and self-medication seeks advice on managing their condition before professional help becomes available in a month. Carolyn Hax suggests immediate actions such as consulting a primary care doctor, seeking support from friends or family, engaging in free self-care activities, checking for employee assistance programs, joining support groups, and streamlining tasks to reduce stress. Readers also contribute by recommending checking vitamin D levels, being open about potential substance use, and educating oneself about anxiety management.
A person struggles with expressing and receiving affection due to a past devoid of love and abusive relationships, despite having a loving husband. They feel insincere and uncomfortable with affectionate gestures and seek advice on how to overcome this barrier. The advice given includes having an open conversation with the husband, expressing love in a straightforward manner, understanding each other's needs, and considering therapy to address intimacy issues and fears.
An individual struggles with setting boundaries for their elderly parents' unannounced visits and seeks advice on how to say no without feeling guilty. Another person grapples with the decision of holding a funeral or memorial service for their wife with dementia, whose family and friends have been largely absent. Advice is given to articulate and maintain boundaries kindly and to consider a service as a healing opportunity and a celebration of life for those who may not have been present during the illness.
A woman seeks advice from Dear Prudence on how to handle her in-laws' passive-aggressive comments about her children and husband. The in-laws make gendered remarks implying disappointment in their son and use the grandchildren to express these sentiments. Prudence advises setting clear boundaries and directly addressing the inappropriate comments. Additionally, Prudence responds to another person struggling with feelings for an ex who is now married, suggesting they move on and create a life without him. Lastly, Prudence advises someone on how to manage care for estranged, aging parents, recommending support without compromising one's own well-being.
A person, Bee, reached out to their estranged father during a security clearance process and discovered he's been separated from his wife for over six years without intending to divorce. Bee is concerned about future legal complications regarding inheritance and is contemplating contacting the estranged wife to understand her perspective. Amy Dickinson advises Bee to encourage their father to engage in estate planning and to research inheritance laws before deciding whether to involve the estranged wife, suggesting a cautious approach to avoid entanglement in the complex situation.