life

Decision to Circumcise Causes Festering Anger

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 21st, 2016 | Letter 1 of 2

DEAR ABBY: I am a young man who is currently in college. When I was an infant I was circumcised, and I feel violated that my parents decided to circumcise me without my consent. When the doctor performed the surgery, he took too much off, which causes me pain.

When I was in grade school, I was sexually assaulted by an older classmate, but I feel much more violated from the circumcision because it took a part of me that I can never get back. I am filled with hate and anger toward my parents, even though I know it is unfair to them because they believed they were making the right choice at the time.

My parents know how I feel and are sorry, but I still have these negative feelings toward them because I can't get the procedure undone. Do you have any suggestions how I can overcome my dilemma and build a better relationship with my parents? -- CUT SHORT IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR C.S.: Yes, I have several. All of them involve talking to doctors. The place to start would be your student health center to determine exactly what is causing your pain and if there is help for it. A doctor there may refer you to a urologist, who may be able to get the problem corrected.

In addition, I urge you to talk to a licensed mental health professional to help you work through your anger because it may be misdirected and a result of the sexual assault you experienced in grade school.

Health & SafetyFamily & ParentingMental Health
life

Boys Turn Neighbors' Yard Into Personal Playground

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 21st, 2016 | Letter 2 of 2

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I live in a small house on a small lot. We don't have children, but love kids. Our problem is our next-door neighbors, whose two elementary school-age boys have limited supervision. They're always in our yard digging and leaving their toys around. Honestly, their own yard is bigger.

They constantly come over asking for candy, and the other day while my husband was working from home, he heard someone trying to open the door and pushing the keypad for entry. Needless to say, it was one of the boys.

I have tried asking them nicely to retrieve their toys, etc., but I'm getting really frustrated and afraid I'm going to lose my patience soon and blow. Please help us. -- TRYING TO REMAIN NICE NEIGHBORS

DEAR TRYING: You say you have spoken to the boys, but have you spoken to their parents? That one of the boys would try to gain entry to your house -- I assume thinking there was no one there -- is worrisome, and the parents should be put on notice about it. (In some neighborhoods the outcome could be dangerous.) If you can't get them to take action, then consider fencing your yard.

Friends & Neighbors
life

Child's Guardians Will Decide Who Has Contact With Girl

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 20th, 2016 | Letter 1 of 3

DEAR ABBY: In 2004, my husband and I were contacted by a friend who had gotten into an abusive relationship and lost custody of her daughter. She asked us to go through social services and adopt her little girl, so at least she would know her baby was loved and well taken care of.

Long story short, we did everything we could, but in the end we lost our battle. The grandparents were involved and took over. It was heartbreaking after a year and a half of loving the girl to have to let her go.

My niece works at an ice cream shop and saw our precious one recently. Would it be wrong to contact her and her grandparents now that we know they are in town? I'd love to visit and form a relationship, but don't know if it would be appropriate. -- HURTING IN COLORADO

DEAR HURTING: Not knowing how bitter the "battle" to keep your friend's child was, it's hard to say how the grandparents will react if you reach out. I suppose it couldn't hurt to try -- but do it via a letter so they have the option of contacting you or not. Do NOT contact the girl without their permission, because they could perceive it as threatening.

AbuseFamily & Parenting
life

Co-Workers Say Colleague's Mastectomies Don't Qualify Her as a Cancer Survivor

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 20th, 2016 | Letter 2 of 3

DEAR ABBY: One of my co-workers, "Liz," lost her mother and an aunt to breast cancer. She had genetic testing done and found that she carries the breast cancer genes. As a precaution, she had a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy.

Since her surgery, she has been attending Relay For Life events and has been walking in the "survivor lap." There has been a huge backlash here in the office because people think Liz is misrepresenting herself as a cancer survivor. They are being cruel and calling her a liar, not so much to her face, but all over social media. I wonder if you think it is appropriate for her to call herself a survivor? -- CONFLICTED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR CONFLICTED: Considering her family history and what genetic testing revealed about her chances of suffering the same fate as her mother and her aunt, what Liz did seems prudent to me. That her co-workers would trash her on social media is appalling. What horrible people they must be. I think the woman has suffered enough to walk a victory lap without being criticized for it -- don't you?

Health & SafetyWork & SchoolEtiquette & Ethics
life

For Husband, Cleanliness Is Next to Essential for Peace of Mind

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 20th, 2016 | Letter 3 of 3

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 13 years. Of the two of us, I am the more organized. Before we married, she warned me that she kept a messy bedroom. Well, that has been confirmed!

Recently we had an argument about her clothes. After two weeks of her clean clothes lying on the floor and my asking her to pick them up, I took matters into my own hands. She caught me in the act and we both vented our frustrations. I explained that my environment affects my peace of mind. She called me "controlling."

I'm not sure how to compromise and resolve this. I want to keep a clean house. She wants me to leave her things alone. Any suggestions? -- READY TO THROW IN THE TOWEL

DEAR READY: Yes -- separate bedrooms.

Marriage & Divorce
life

Old Friend's New Schedule Leaves No Time to Catch Up

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 19th, 2016 | Letter 1 of 2

DEAR ABBY: One of my close friends may be "ghosting" me. "Sarah" and I have known each other since middle school. We went to high school together and roomed together during our freshman year of college. We both transferred to different schools after that freshman year, but we made it a point to keep in touch. I was the first person she came out to. I helped her move into her new apartment the summer before grad school. In general, I think I've been a good friend to her.

Last summer we both moved back to our hometown -- she for med school and I for a new job. I was excited that after five years we were living in the same city again. I have reached out to her on multiple occasions, but my texts and calls usually go unanswered. When I do get a response, it's typically, "Sorry! I'm just too swamped!"

I don't doubt that med school is incredibly difficult, and I completely understand that that's where her focus should be, but over the holidays I reached out once again and was given the same answer. I know she made time to see another friend -- her best, who ranks higher than I do in the "who to see" list. It still hurt.

Am I being too sensitive? Too self-centered? I'm worried that this is Sarah's way of breaking ties with me and I'm just not taking the hint. An outsider's point of view would really help, even if it's a harsh truth. -- LEFT HANGING IN MIAMI

DEAR LEFT HANGING: When people are in med school, they must carefully organize their time because the curriculum is demanding. Things that are not essential are often postponed, and that includes social relationships.

As you said, you and Sarah are not as close as Sarah and her best friend are. While it may sting, look at it as a mature adult and don't let it drag you down. If Sarah says she's "swamped," have faith that when she's under less pressure, there will be time to re-establish the friendship.

Friends & Neighbors
life

Cleanup Duty Should Sharpen Husband's Aim

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | March 19th, 2016 | Letter 2 of 2

DEAR ABBY: My husband does not seem to be able to "hit the toilet," if you know what I mean. I am tired of wiping up the bottom of the toilet seat and the floor. We have talked about this and he always says he's sorry and promises to be more careful. Today I told him that I am no longer cleaning up the toilet seat or the floor. He misses, he cleans.

What advice do you have to solve this problem? -- BETTER THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK

DEAR BETTER THINGS: Keep a roll of paper towels or an extra roll of toilet paper on top of the toilet. When you see your husband's aim has been sloppy, call him in and have him mop up his mess. If that doesn't get him to pay more attention, and there is a second bathroom in your home, have him use the other one until he is housebroken.

Marriage & Divorce

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