DEAR ABBY: As the only income earner in our household of five, I work long hours. Sometimes I would enjoy talking about my day with my wife of 18 years. While she has no problem staying awake to watch TV or going out with her friends on the weekend, she usually falls asleep right in the middle of what I'm saying. It also happens in the car while I'm driving.

Contrast this to a recent trip she took with her friends where they talked and yucked it up for five hours straight. No matter how tired I am at the end of a long work week, I will do everything in my power to stay awake if there's something she needs to talk about. I can't figure out why she's not doing the same for me.

When I tell her it hurts my feelings that she doesn't think I'm important enough to make the effort to stay awake, or at least tell me she's too tired to talk, I get criticized for not being sympathetic to how tired she is. At first I thought it was true. But now I think her behavior is self-centered. Am I crazy to think this way? -- UNHEARD IN ILLINOIS

DEAR UNHEARD: You're not crazy. You seem perfectly rational to me. What your wife is doing when you try to tell her that you are hurt is accuse you of doing exactly what she has been doing. To prevent your anger from building over this, discuss it with her when she's wide awake -- in a marriage counselor's office, if necessary. Please do it before you encounter a lady who IS sympathetic and willing to listen, because there are plenty of them out there.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have had two big dogs for several years. In general, they are well-behaved, but they have a lot of energy. I have two kids and limited free time, and my husband no longer walks them. I refuse to do it because the dogs are very strong. They have knocked me over on a couple of occasions. Because the dogs have no release, we have come home several times to find they have destroyed one thing or another in the house (chewed up walls, furniture, carpet).

I suggested dog training and/or a dog walker, but my husband refuses and promises to start walking them again (which usually lasts a couple of weeks, at most). He was raised to believe that dogs are part of the family, while I was not, so when I suggest that we "rehome" the dogs to someone who can devote more time to them, he won't consider it, saying he could never do that to a family member.

I'm at my wit's end. The situation is affecting our marriage in a number of ways. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. -- LOTS OF ENERGY IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR LOTS OF ENERGY: Gladly. Enlist your husband's help once again in walking those "family members" and suggest he take the kids along. They might enjoy the "family" outing, and it would give you some time to yourself. Your reason for not doing it is valid. You should not risk physical injury.

When he stops walking the dogs again in a few weeks -- as he will -- hire the dog walker. If he objects, ask him which is more expensive, this or fixing the damage the dogs invariably cause when they haven't had enough exercise to tire them out. I'm sure he will see your reasoning.

DEAR ABBY: My friend has decided she can no longer tolerate my husband. She feels he doesn't "respect" her. This is far from the truth, in my mind.

We have supported her emotionally and financially from time to time for many years. My husband does have a habit of making clunky jokes (anything for a laugh or to fill the void). But a real friend should see beyond that to the loving, supportive person he is at his core, in his heart, and forgive.

We are now banned from her social group. I find this very harsh -- cruel even. I guess my friendship doesn't count, as I'm being thrown out with the perceived trash as well. I'm depressed and angry, and I want some kind of revenge and to hurt her back. I was so happy with our little group. Now it's been taken away from me. Advice? -- TOSSED ASIDE IN NEW YORK

DEAR TOSSED: Yes. Rather than seek revenge, tell the woman how hurt you feel after having befriended her all these years. Time is our most precious commodity. The more time you spend plotting retaliation, the more space this ungrateful woman is taking up in your head, and it's not healthy -- for you.

Once you have spoken to her and gotten this off your chest, go on with your life. Continue to see others in the group on an individual basis, if necessary. If they are real friends, I'm sure they'll be glad to do that.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 34-year-old single mother (by choice) of a beautiful 3-year-old boy. Because of infertility problems, it took years for me to conceive. I love my son beyond measure and, when I'm not working, I'm usually shuttling him to extracurricular activities and making time after cooking and cleaning to play with him.

Because my world revolves around being a mom, I have a hard time participating in adult conversations without talking about my son and how proud and happy I am to be his mom. I realize this can be irritating to others, and it has become frustrating for me.

I'm educated, opinionated and well-read, but I seem to have lost the ability to relate to other adults and make friends away from my role as a mother. Any advice would be helpful at this point. -- PROUD TO BE A MOM

DEAR PROUD: Considering the fact that your total focus is on your child, it's not surprising he's your main topic of conversation. However, because you want to expand your repertoire, broaden it by bringing up current events, which should give you plenty of fodder for conversation.

DEAR READERS: I am honored to again participate in National Women's Health Week. Women are the primary caretakers in most societies -- including our own -- but in the process, we too often forget to care for ourselves by eating right, lowering our stress levels with regular exercise and scheduling regular medical checkups. Please don't procrastinate. National Women's Health Week is a perfect time to begin. Visit womenshealth.gov/nwhw for more information. -- LOVE, ABBY

DEAR ABBY: I am 17 and dating a 16-year-old girl. My mother lives a few states away. Every time we talk she tells me to spend less time with my girlfriend. It always seems like she's trying to break us up. Please give me advice. I want her to want me to be in the relationship I'm in and to let me stay with her. -- TEEN IN LOVE IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR TEEN: Regardless of what you may think about what your mother is telling you, she is not the "enemy." She may be worried that the more time you spend with your girlfriend, the less you will have to devote to your studies, sports, friends, etc. -- all of which are important at your age. The two of you need to talk further about this, so there are no misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

P.S. Because your mother lives out of state, I assume you are living with your father or some other relative/guardian. It might be enlightening to know what the other adults in your life think about the amount of time you're spending with your girlfriend. Perhaps you should ask them.

DEAR ABBY: I am struggling to adapt to our accelerating technological world. When I remove myself from the rapid information cycle of the internet and social media, I feel the world is passing me by. I have tried to find a balance, but the ubiquity of technology and our cultural reliance on the internet leave me feeling like I have only two options at any given time -- connection or disconnection -- and neither one feels entirely healthy to me.

This isn't the first case of technological advancement leading to rapid cultural change and a sense of dislocation, but at the current rate, it may be the most extreme. This is to say nothing of the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in our lives. Do you have any advice for maintaining one's humanity while remaining culturally relevant in our increasingly technology-dependent world? -- FLOATING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

DEAR FLOATING: Just this: Try harder to find a balance, because if you are constantly online, you will be swamped. Sometimes we must disconnect and enjoy the "real world" without the constant interruption of the latest news cycle. Trust me. You won't miss much because the information will find its way to you.

DEAR ABBY: What is the proper way to handle the situation when you catch the host of a party double- or triple-dipping into a bowl? -- ICK! IN LARGO, FLA.

DEAR ICK: That's easy. Refrain from consuming anything from that bowl.

DEAR READERS: Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere. This includes birth mothers, adoptive and foster mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers who are raising grandchildren, and dual-role dads. Orchids to all of you for the love you give every day. -- Love, ABBY