life

Bed-Wetter Can Get Help but He Has to Make the Effort

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | May 2nd, 2016 | Letter 1 of 3

DEAR ABBY: I have a good friend who is a bed-wetter. It's obvious because he's constantly doing laundry and his home smells bad at times. We once shared a hotel room, and I was awakened in the middle of the night by a strong smell of urine.

He tries to hide his problem, but seems to be doing little if anything to find a solution for it. I want to persuade him to get some help, but I don't feel comfortable saying anything, and I don't want to embarrass him. What can I do? -- CONCERNED FRIEND IN MICHIGAN

DEAR CONCERNED FRIEND: What would you want your friend to do if the situation were reversed, and you were the person with the bed-wetting problem? Friends communicate with each other. Talk privately with this person. Say you think there "may" be a problem and urge him to discuss it with a urologist.

There is help for bed-wetters -- medications, as well as mechanical devices -- that in many cases can fix the problem. But only if the sufferers -- and bed-wetters do suffer -- know help is available and are willing to ask for it.

Health & SafetyEtiquette & EthicsFriends & Neighbors
life

Dad Takes His Boys on Better Dates Than His Girlfriend

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | May 2nd, 2016 | Letter 2 of 3

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating "Miles" for two years. He will move in with me soon. Miles has two sons from his previous marriage. He loves them and sees them regularly.

I can't help but feel a little jealous because he makes a huge effort to be with his kids as often as possible, entertaining them and taking them to nice restaurants. The issue I have is that Miles and I never go out. We have never been on vacation or had a weekend date. Our dates consist of eating a sandwich or me cooking. Is it normal to feel a little jealous, or should I call him out on it? -- AT THE FOOT OF THE LIST

DEAR FOOT OF THE LIST: Miles appears to be a good father, but your feelings are understandable and they should be discussed with Miles BEFORE he moves in. In romantic relationships there is a certain degree of "courtship" that appears to be missing here. And believe me, unless you talk this through, nothing will change because he thinks the status quo is acceptable to you.

Love & Dating
life

Road Trips Turn to Road Rage When Couple Argues Over Who Should Take the Wheel

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | May 2nd, 2016 | Letter 3 of 3

DEAR ABBY: My fiance and I are good drivers and enjoy driving. But we get into arguments during road trips about who should drive. He feels he should drive because "he's the man." I feel we should take turns. We both hate being the passenger. Can you give us some good advice? -- DRIVING IT HOME IN ARIZONA

DEAR DRIVING IT HOME: Yes. Instead of spoiling your road trip by arguing while you're on the road, have an agreement before you leave about how the driving duties will be shared. Because sitting in the passenger seat can become boring after a while, some couples split their trips into equal shifts. Others agree that one spouse will drive to the destination and the other will drive on the trip home. It has less to do with "who's the man" than with fairness.

Etiquette & Ethics
life

Daughter Shuts Door on Mom in Retaliation for Remarriage

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | May 1st, 2016 | Letter 1 of 3

DEAR ABBY: I am 54. My daughter is 25 and married with two kids. Her dad and I have been divorced for almost 10 years. Three years ago, I met a wonderful man. After dating for about a year, we were married. It's been heavenly; I love my life.

My problem is my daughter. She's angry that I remarried. She told me she should be first in my life. She no longer calls me Mom and now calls me by my first name when she talks to me, which isn't often. I am no longer allowed to be around her or my grandchildren.

I am heartbroken. I feel like she expects me to choose between my husband and her. Abby, she is married and has her own family. I was very lonely until I finally found happiness. I don't want to be cut out of her life and I have no intention of leaving my husband. Please tell me what to do. -- HEARTBROKEN IN SOUTH CAROLINA

DEAR HEARTBROKEN: For your own emotional well-being, accept that you have an immature, selfish, resentful daughter who is determined to punish you for going on with your life. Much as you might wish to, you can't change another person. You can, however, change yourself by looking straight ahead and toughening up your hide.

That your daughter would punish her children by depriving them of a grandmother who loves them for the reason she has is disgraceful. My advice is to move on, and if you're "stuck," talk about it with a licensed mental health counselor.

Marriage & DivorceFamily & Parenting
life

Wife's Reversal Leaves Man All Alone in Board Vote

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | May 1st, 2016 | Letter 2 of 3

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I are board members of a local club. Yesterday we attended a special board meeting intended to resolve an issue within the club. Prior to the meeting, my wife and I agreed that we were against the proposed action. After much discussion, a voice vote was taken and I ended up casting the only "no" vote.

I feel betrayed because my wife told me one thing and then did the exact opposite. How do I move past this resentment? It's difficult to have a rational discussion with her because she easily becomes angry and emotional. -- DAVID IN FLORIDA

DEAR DAVID: Calmly ask your wife why she changed her vote after having agreed she would vote in sync with you. Then let her explain. And in the future, be prepared ahead of time to vote your conscience without support from her.

Marriage & Divorce
life

Passenger Taking a Back Seat Makes Driver Feel Like a Chauffeur

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | May 1st, 2016 | Letter 3 of 3

DEAR ABBY: I had to pick up two women and the first one was younger. When I picked her up, she got in the back seat so the older woman could sit in front. I thought she should have gotten in the front with me and then, when we got to the other house, got out and let the older woman in front.

Was I wrong to feel uncomfortable that she got in the back seat like I was some kind of chauffeur? It's a petty annoyance, but my husband says what she did was OK. Just curious to see what you think. -- JUDY IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR JUDY: I agree with your husband. By getting in the back seat, your passenger avoided the hassle of trading seats with the second person you were picking up. Logistically, what she did made sense.

Etiquette & Ethics
life

Couple's Difference in Age Causes Girl's Family to Worry

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | April 30th, 2016 | Letter 1 of 3

DEAR ABBY: I'm 17 and dating this older guy. Everyone is afraid that one day I'll just disappear, but he isn't like that. I know him from when I was younger, and my dad and his dad were really close. People just don't trust me, even though I have told them nothing but the full truth from the start. I'm happy. What should I do? -- MISUNDERSTOOD IN MASSACHUSETTS

DEAR MISUNDERSTOOD: It might help if you ask this young man to talk to your parents about his interest in you. If he is nice, respectful and employed or in school, they may be less suspicious about his intentions.

Family & ParentingLove & Dating
life

Family Mourns Loss of 'Honorary Uncle'

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | April 30th, 2016 | Letter 2 of 3

DEAR ABBY: Two years ago we lost a very close friend of mine, not to death but to a relationship. "Ben" is the most genuine, caring and loving person you could ever meet. He and my sister dated for what seemed like forever, but unfortunately it didn't work out. We were all devastated. Still, after their relationship ended, he was around because he had become like a member of our family.

Ben finally met a great woman he cared for. We were all happy he had found someone and maybe he'd finally be the great dad we knew he could be. Our family loved his new girlfriend, and welcomed her to all gatherings as she was an extension of him.

Six months to a year into their relationship, we learned that Ben failed to mention to her that he and my sister had been an item for many years (engaged at one point). When she found out, she demanded that he stop talking to us. We even had a "goodbye" dinner with him.

Ben is now married to his then-girlfriend. I miss him dearly and think about him every week as he was that important to me. He attended all birthdays, graduations, etc., and he has now missed many of them. I always thought he would be the "uncle" my children never had.

Would it be selfish or unfair to him if I approached his wife about letting us back into his life? -- MISS HIM DEARLY

DEAR MISS HIM: I don't think it would be selfish or unfair to Ben, but depending upon the level of his wife's insecurity, it may be unsuccessful. Ben should have been honest with her from the beginning about his connection to your family. That the information was withheld from her may be why she reacted the way she did.

Friends & NeighborsFamily & Parenting
life

Woman Takes Advantage of Cousin's Generosity

Dear Abby by by Abigail Van Buren
by Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby | April 30th, 2016 | Letter 3 of 3

DEAR ABBY: My cousin was hard up and needed a place to stay because where she was wasn't a good place for her. I told her she could stay with us, there was no need for her to pay rent because everything was already covered, and to just help with groceries. Well, she has been here a while now and she not only hasn't pitched in, but also helps herself to our car since she doesn't have one.

You tend to have the best advice. Please tell me what to do, because I'm not sure. -- FAMILY FIRST? IN INDIANA

DEAR F.F.: Have a talk with your cousin and repeat the agreement you had with her before she moved in. Then tell her that if she doesn't start living up to it, she will have to make other living arrangements.

P.S. If you don't want her using your car, don't let her have the keys.

MoneyFamily & Parenting

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