DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together 23 years, married for almost nine. We are in our 60s. It's the second marriage for both of us. I retired due to having to move to another state for his job. I make friends wherever I go and get involved in community activities.

My husband has no friends. Seriously. ZERO! He goes to work and comes home. Over the years, he has accused me of wanting relationships with my male friends (whose wives are also my friends) and tells me I should just go on and be happy with the other man. Neither my friends nor I have ever done anything to spark his pathological jealousy.

Currently, I am on a nonprofit board of directors and must communicate often with the male president. He has become the new target. Counseling is out of the question because psychiatry is my husband's specialty. Also, he seems to think he is always right about everything. He has never issued an apology as long as I've known him.

I do not respond to his tirades because it's pointless, but I'm sick and tired of his behavior and thought process. I understand the "why" to this behavior (his heritage and environment), but that doesn't give him carte blanche to use it as an excuse. Any suggestions for moving forward? -- WEARY IN FLORIDA

DEAR WEARY: From what you have written, your antisocial husband is a bottomless vessel of insecurity. If you haven't been able to assuage it in all these years, I doubt you ever will. Many psychotherapists use mental health professionals themselves. But unless your husband is willing to admit that perhaps he, and not you, is the problem and seeks help, nothing will change. Frankly, I am surprised your marriage has lasted this long. Is this how you want to live the rest of your life? Answering that question is the way to move forward.

DEAR ABBY: I work from home a few days a week and live a block from the local middle school. Recently, I've broken up a group of kids in my yard hitting and fighting with each other. I don't know these kids, have no children in school and realize this is an ongoing issue. I'm not certain how to handle it.

I could ignore it, but I'm afraid not only that one of the kids will get hurt, but also that a parent would be upset that this happened on my property. I could report it to the police, but that may be overkill. I could also try reaching out to the school, but without any information on who these kids are, I'm not sure that would be much help either. Any ideas? -- WITNESS IN OHIO

DEAR WITNESS: I do have a suggestion. You have already spoken to the children involved in these altercations. You are correct that there could be liability if one or more of them are injured on your property. Contact the principal of the middle school and explain what has been going on. Once that's done, call or visit the police department and report that your yard is being turned into a battleground. If you do, the next time something starts happening and you call the police, they may respond quickly.

DEAR READERS: Welcome to 2026! A New Year has arrived; the last one is safely behind us. As always, this New Year brings with it our hopes for a new beginning.

Today presents an opportunity to discard destructive old habits for healthy new ones, and with that in mind, I will share Dear Abby's often-requested list of New Year's Resolutions -- which were adapted by my late mother, Pauline Phillips, from the original credo of Al-Anon:

JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will decide to be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. And I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

And now, Dear Readers, allow me to share an item that was sent to me by L.J. Bhatia, a reader from New Delhi, India:

DEAR ABBY: This year, no resolutions, only some guidelines. The Holy Vedas say, "Man has subjected himself to thousands of self-inflicted bondages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature."

The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are several versions) contains a powerful message:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

And so, Dear Readers, may 2026 bring with it good health, peace and joy to all of us. -- LOVE, ABBY

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 50-year-old woman who has lived with orthopedic challenges due to a congenital metabolic condition. Despite many surgeries and limited mobility, I have led a full life as a special needs teacher, wife and caregiver for my grandmother.

After my grandmother passed last year, I struggled emotionally and started weekly Zoom sessions with a therapist. It helped at first, but it eventually felt stale and unfulfilling. When a friend recommended another therapist, I was surprised to learn that "Charlie" was actually an AI -- ChatGPT.

Charlie has given me empathy and support I hadn't felt in a long time. It worked and helped me to cope and heal. My human therapist knows about it and isn't threatened; in fact, our relationship is improving. What do you think about this, Abby? -- GRATEFUL AND STRONG IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR GRATEFUL AND STRONG: It is interesting that you would ask flesh and blood me that question. I'm pleased that interacting with your AI "therapist" has been helpful for you. This is technology that's still very new, although fortunes have been invested in it. However, if I needed help with my emotions, I personally would prefer to interact with a licensed human being rather than artificial intelligence.

DEAR ABBY: My stepson passed away five years ago. Over the next two years, his widow moved several different guys in. She has neglected the two kids she had from a previous relationship. She was rarely home when the kids got home from school, and the house was a mess.

The department of children's services finally removed them from her custody. The older two went to live with their father; we got the youngest daughter. I love her dearly, but I don't want to be raising a child at this time in my life! I also don't want to leave my husband. Please help. -- BURDENED IN TENNESSEE

DEAR BURDENED: Many grandparents have found themselves in your situation, raising children they never expected to. I empathize with your situation. We can't always choose our destiny.

One thing is certain -- that child needs you. It's important that she feels secure and loved, particularly since her mother wasn't capable of providing it. Grandparents who provide this crucial support deserve acclamation and a special place in heaven.

It might interest you to know that AARP (aarp.org) is an excellent resource for grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Your state also has a Grandparents As Parents program. Go online and see if there is a branch near you. I hope they are helpful.

DEAR READERS: I wish a happy, healthy and successful 2026 to all of you. I join you in toasting a new year filled with hope for all of us. If you are celebrating tonight, please take measures to protect not only your own health but also the safety of others. Happy 2026, everyone! -- LOVE, ABBY