A 30-year-old woman writes to Dear Abby about her strained relationship with her mother, who she feels doesn’t like her. Despite attempts to address the issue, her mother always accuses her of being ungrateful. The woman recounts instances where her mother has excluded her and criticized her actions. The woman and her fiance have decided not to invite her mother to their wedding due to the mistreatment they have both received from her. However, this decision has led to hurt feelings and strained relationships with other family members, including the woman’s father, whom she deeply cares about.
Dear Abby advises the woman to make grown-up decisions regarding her wedding day and suggests inviting her mother, even if they have a strained relationship. Abby acknowledges the difficult situation the woman is in but encourages her to take control of the decision-making process. The woman is advised to invite her mother to the wedding and possibly seat the parents far apart to avoid any issues on the special day. After the wedding, the woman will be free to make choices about her future interactions with her mother without feeling obligated to see or speak to her again.
Another letter to Dear Abby discusses a woman considering filing for divorce after 30 years of marriage due to her husband’s anger issues. The woman has put up with this behavior for a long time but is now contemplating leaving because her children are grown and independent. However, she is afraid of not being able to support herself financially if she were to leave her husband. Dear Abby advises the woman to seek legal advice to understand her options in case she decides to leave. The woman is encouraged to weigh the pros and cons of staying in an abusive marriage versus starting a new chapter in life without her husband.
Dear Abby offers support and guidance to individuals seeking advice on various personal issues and relationships. The column was created by Pauline Phillips and is currently written by her daughter, Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips. Readers can submit their questions and concerns to Dear Abby through the website or by mail. The column provides a platform for individuals to seek advice on a wide range of topics and receive thoughtful responses from the knowledgeable Dear Abby team. The advice given aims to help readers navigate difficult situations and make informed decisions about their lives.
