DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Van," and I have been married 10 years. He's 40; I'm 33. Our daughter just turned 7. Shortly after she was born, Van informed me he didn't want to have more children. He said he was happy with just one. It was hard for me to accept, but eventually I came to peace with his decision.

Recently, he began talking about wanting another child. I was, of course, very excited. After much discussion we decided we would start trying last April, but when the time came, he confessed he'd had a change of heart. He said he's getting too old to have a newborn, and worries about how old he'll be once the child is grown, etc.

I respect and understand his reasoning, but I'm having trouble moving past my disappointment. I spent so much time trying to accept that we wouldn't have more kids, having the opportunity again was a dream come true. I don't want to pressure Van into changing his mind, but I'm starting to resent him. Our daughter has said she'd like a sibling, too. Abby, what to do? -- HEARTBROKEN IN GEORGIA

DEAR HEARTBROKEN: Under the circumstances, your resentment is understandable. Your husband should not have raised your hopes if he was ambivalent about something you want so badly. Couples counseling might help you to overcome your disappointment or, if he would consent to it, help him to work through his fears about becoming a father again. Forty is not over the hill, and many men have added to their families at that age.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have two kids under the age of 2. Our close friends "John and Jane" also have two kids under 2.

We recently invited them to our oldest daughter's birthday party. When they arrived, Jane informed me they hadn't had time to shop for a gift and that they "owed us one." I brushed it off and said I was just happy they came.

Well, now it's their older daughter's birthday. We are invited and I'm confused. Do we still buy her a gift? We want to go, but we feel ripped off because our daughter received nothing. Would it be rude to attend the party without buying their daughter a gift? -- RIPPED OFF IN SAN DIEGO

DEAR RIPPED OFF: Yes, it would. You say these are close friends. John and Jane may not have followed up with a gift for your daughter because you told them you were "just happy they came," so don't hold it against them. If this happened repeatedly, my advice might be different, but this may simply have been an oversight.

DEAR ABBY: Is it appropriate for a big winner to share a small fraction of the winnings with the person who picked the successful numbers at a casino crap table? -- LUCKY OUT WEST

DEAR LUCKY: It is not only appropriate, but I think it is also expected. To do otherwise would be considered selfish -- particularly by the person who was stiffed.

DEAR ABBY: I'm 15. My problem is I often mouth off and insult people. When I'm asked to explain why I said what I did, I answer with, "I don't know" or a shrug. It's the truth. It upsets me that I act this way, and I have lost friends because of it.

My parents think counseling and therapy are a coward's way out, and I don't want to go to my school counselors because they'll tell my parents or the state. Is it a blatant choice not to care, something subconscious or a possible disorder? I'm under a lot of stress. I know stressors can cause people to act this way, but I have a feeling it's not caused by stress. What should I do? -- NERVOUS AND AFRAID

DEAR NERVOUS AND AFRAID: Everyone snaps sometimes, but because it has ruined relationships, do talk to a school counselor or other adult you trust about what's happening. Your behavior may just be part of being a teenager, but if the stressors in your life might also be a factor, it's important you understand what triggers your behavior so you can modify it.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 14-year-old girl and I have an identical twin. The problem is, she always gets all the attention, especially from boys. I don't understand why because we look exactly alike, and in my opinion, I have the better personality. When I'm around her, which is practically all the time, I feel invisible -- as if people only see HER. How do I get people to stop noticing my sister and get them to see that I deserve some attention? -- HERE, TOO, IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR HERE, TOO: You say you and your twin are together practically all the time. THAT may be the problem. If you want to be noticed, start joining activities on your own. That way, you will develop separate interests and, along with them, separate friendships. Although you and your twin are identical, you do not have to be joined at the hip. Remember that.

DEAR ABBY: I'm 27 and my grandparents have played very important roles in my life. I know they won't be here forever, and I cry myself to sleep thinking about this.

Besides spending more time with them, what else do you suggest I do to prepare myself for their passing? -- LOVING GRANDDAUGHTER

DEAR LOVING GRANDDAUGHTER: Accept that death is a part of life and make sure that yours is a full and happy one. And make an effort to stay in the moment. The more time you spend obsessing about what will eventually happen, the less you will have to enjoy the blessings you have today.

DEAR ABBY: I'm concerned about a photo my uncle posted to Facebook. It features my two female cousins, ages 6 and 2, shirtless. I know no harm was intended in posting the photo, as they are both adorable girls. However, I find it inappropriate that the 6-year-old -- who is going into first grade -- was shirtless in the photo. Now that it is on the internet, it could be easily seen by a pedophile.

How do I express my concern to my uncle about this without coming off like I am trying to parent for him? I'm only 17 and don't want to overstep my boundaries, but as a caring family member, I am concerned. -- NIECE IN COLORADO

DEAR NIECE: Because you are nervous about approaching your uncle about this, consider discussing your concerns with the children's mother. If your uncle is a single parent, then mention it to your own parents and, if they agree with you, ask them to mention to your uncle that his semi-nude pictures on the web may endanger his daughters.

P.S. Your uncle should be made aware that he can customize his account settings and make his profile private. That way, only family and selected close friends will be able to see his timeline.

DEAR ABBY: My neighbor is taking care of her grandchildren. She seems responsible and the courts have allowed her to be their foster mother. Her own children not only steal, but are also physically abusive. The court ordered the mother of the kids (my neighbor's daughter) to have no contact with them. Their father is in prison.

I am friendly with this neighbor and her grandchildren. I wish I had a way to tell her that her constant shouting and screaming at the kids is unhealthy. How can I help this family and these little ones? Should I just come out and say what's on my mind -- that yelling at them undermines their self-esteem and does no good whatsoever? -- KIND NEIGHBOR IN MICHIGAN

DEAR KIND NEIGHBOR: Have a chat with your neighbor about it, if you can manage it without coming across as judgmental (i.e., accusing her of "undermining their self-esteem"). When you do, tell her you know she is carrying a lot of responsibility on her shoulders and she may be yelling because she's stressed. Then offer to watch the grandchildren for her once or twice a month, so she can have some quiet time for herself. If you do, you would be doing her and her grandchildren a great favor.

DEAR ABBY: I'm 28 and have been a licensed practical nurse since 2007. Although I've been a nurse for nine years, I feel incompetent and like I haven't learned much over the years. I pray every day I go to work that no serious situations arise because I'm afraid I won't be able to handle them correctly. Many people have suggested I further my education and become an RN, but I feel it would be a waste because I don't feel smart enough. What should I do? -- WARY IN OHIO

DEAR WARY: I think you should challenge yourself and take some of those classes to further your education. If you do well in them, continue. If not, you can look for another line of work then.

However, before you do anything else, please talk with a licensed mental health professional to get to the reasons for your low self-esteem. Those feelings of inadequacy may be what are holding you back and preventing you from enjoying the important work you do.