DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been dating for more than a decade. We're nearly 30 now. We are happy not being married, and we both agreed early in our relationship that we would not have kids.

All of a sudden, my boyfriend has decided he wants children. I said maybe in the future, but he feels we're running out of time. I still don't want kids, and it's for selfish reasons. I enjoy traveling, having time to myself and just the two of us, peace and quiet, being able to do what I want when I want without having to worry about kids. Is that so wrong? Where do we go from here? -- AT ODDS IN MONTANA

DEAR AT ODDS: After 10-plus years, "the future" has arrived. It appears you and your boyfriend have reached a large fork in the road. From here you either go your separate ways or agree to relationship counseling to see if there may be a way to bridge this gap.

DEAR ABBY: For the last 25 years, we have gone on several weekend getaways with another couple. They are now suggesting a one-week vacation together. The issue is, they constantly either talk to or text their children while we are with them. They call to tell them the weather, where we're eating, get updates on their various sporting events, etc.

We also have children and grandchildren, but we wait until we return home to reconnect and hear about their weekend and tell about ours. We love our kids, but we don't need to be constantly connected.

Except for us, this couple's entire social life appears to revolve around their children's lives, and it is pretty much all they talk about. We're not sure we can tolerate this for an entire week. We don't want to lose these friends, but don't know how to decline a week of this. Please advise. -- VACATION FROM THE VACATION

DEAR VACATION: Constantly texting and calling in the presence of others is rude. Because you are hesitant to call them on it, try this: Unless they know you take weeklong vacations with other friends, tell them you prefer shorter visits with other couples. In their case, it's the truth.

DEAR ABBY: I recently received an email from the grade school-aged son of a close friend, which included a link requesting funding to support his school sports program. My friend told me to expect such an email.

I'm not certain how to respond, as I always encouraged my children to communicate face-to-face when soliciting funds for their school programs, but that was years ago, and I realize this is a new era. It just seems so impersonal to ask for money electronically, especially when I barely know the young man. Are my expectations wrong? How would you handle this? -- CHECK'S IN THE E-MAIL

DEAR CHECK'S IN: Despite how the request was made, if you want to support the program, do so. If not, then don't. Personally, I would ignore the email, and if I was asked about it, I would politely decline.

DEAR ABBY: My son is engaged to a young woman I'll call Carla. They are currently living with my husband and me to save money and pay off bills. They fight often. Because of this, my husband and I were not excited when they flippantly announced their engagement and also flippantly announced their wedding date recently. I just said, "That's nice" or "congratulations."

I know this is not my relationship, and they are adults, but should I explain why we cannot get excited about it? I don't dislike Carla, and I would be truly OK if they could make each other happy most of the time. But because of their arguing and unresolved issues, I do not have confidence in their relationship.

I think they may ask us for money to help with wedding expenses, and unfortunately, I feel it would be throwing money away. How awful is that? I don't want to create hard feelings if they can make this work. Advice? --- UNENTHUSED MOM IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR MOM: If you are asked to chip in for the wedding expenses, consider making it conditional. Tell your son and Carla that you are deeply concerned because of the amount of fighting you see they do, and if they will agree to premarital counseling, you will be glad to help them.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are in our 60s and have two grown sons. We work full time and are financially secure.

The conundrum: We have one grandchild who will soon turn 1. I asked my daughter-in-law for gift ideas because I know she already has more than enough clothes and toys. My daughter-in-law promptly responded that they will soon be needing a new car seat, and that she'd also like a nice running stroller.

They both have good jobs. They can easily afford such items. Now I feel that if we don't produce one of these as a gift, she'll think we're cheap, but honestly, I don't consider such things to be gifts for the baby, simply items parents should be responsible for if they can afford them. I really would like to get our grandbaby something unique that will withstand the test of time. Now I wish I hadn't asked! -- REGRETFUL INQUIRING GRANDMA

DEAR REGRETFUL: You may wish you hadn't asked, but you did. While you're not obligated to give the gifts your daughter-in-law asked for, in the interest of family harmony, it would be a good idea to give her one of the necessities she requested. And in the future, don't ask!

DEAR ABBY: In my work, the department I'm responsible for has employees working in various locations throughout the U.S. I want to have an annual picnic at my home to show appreciation to my team. The problem is, I do not have the budget to pay for travel for employees who work in remote offices. Should I not invite these remote employees? Should I invite them but inform them that their travel won't be reimbursed, or just not have the picnic at all? -- NOT ENOUGH IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR NOT ENOUGH: Rather than invite workers from all over the country to a celebration you know they won't be able to attend, consider having a small gathering at your home for the locals. Send gift cards for the favorite restaurants of the employees in distant locations. It would be thoughtful and generous and would cost far less than subsidizing travel expenses.

DEAR ABBY: I am very lucky to have wonderful in-laws. I have been married to their son for five years and together for 10. We have one child. My in-laws are divorced but friendly, and my husband has one brother.

My question revolves around my brother-in-law's new fiancee, "Tami." They dated only a short time prior to getting engaged. My in-laws were very slow to warm up to me and hard to get to know. It took almost four years for me to become close to them and feel comfortable.

At this point, I am deeply involved with the family. My mother-in-law and I talk almost every day, and my father-in-law shows a lot of affection toward me. I have received all the family heirlooms and am the "daughter my mother-in-law never had."

It is apparent that Tami feels less welcomed, and it makes me sad. The difference in the way family members interact with us is striking, and I can't imagine that it makes her feel good. The family doesn't intend this. Knowing them takes time. It's just the way they are.

I have tried hard to involve Tami, but she isn't local. The family is very spread out, but my in-laws visit us frequently due to the grandchild. My question is, how can I help her feel welcomed and comfortable in a slow-to-warm-up family? Should I offer some of the heirlooms prior to their wedding? Is there anything else I can do, aside from maintain a good relationship on my end? -- SHARING GOOD WILL IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR SHARING: It is entirely possible that Tami has taken the cold shoulder she has received personally. She is lucky to have you as an ally. If you haven't already, it would be a kindness to have a private chat with her and share what you have written to me about your in-laws' family dynamics.

Although you are well-intentioned, at this point, you would be jumping the gun to give her any of the heirlooms. Once she and your brother-in-law are married, and she has been accepted into the family, ask your mother-in-law if she would mind your doing so.

DEAR ABBY: My mother passed away six years ago. I have two older brothers and a father in my immediate family. There was a rift between my brothers and me several years ago. I made clear to them in a letter how badly they had hurt me. Instead of apologizing, they choose to no longer have a relationship with me.

Dad refuses to get involved. He says his kids are adults, and we should work it out. Recently, he admitted he was verbally abusive to my mom while I was growing up. I remember it well from my childhood. I believe my brothers mimicked his behavior with me while I was growing up and as adults.

I resent my dad for not helping to resolve this issue. He was an angry and insecure person while I was growing up and took things out on Mom. What's the best way for me to address this with him instead of harboring resentment and avoiding a relationship with him? -- WITHOUT FAMILY IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR WITHOUT FAMILY: What exactly do you expect your father to do at this point? Order your brothers to apologize? He is neither willing nor capable of doing it, as he has made clear.

Accept that this is the way things are and keep a cordial relationship with your father if you can. It would also be healthy for you to concentrate on maintaining relationships with people who treat you well and who make you feel accepted and valued. And recognize that those people are your "family" rather than the dysfunctional one into which you were born.