A woman writes to Dear Abby expressing her concerns about her fiance’s mother who wants to gift them a home that belonged to her parents. The woman is skeptical of the gift as she believes it comes with a lot of strings attached. She and her fiance agree to help with the upkeep of the property until they move in, but the mother dictates the day and time, which clashes with their schedules. Despite the inconvenience, the woman is upset that her fiance chooses to do the upkeep on their shared day off instead of his individual day off. Dear Abby advises the woman to grit her teeth, count her blessings, and accept the situation as it won’t last forever.
Another letter to Dear Abby comes from a 49-year-old woman who has recently divorced and is staying with her mother. The woman’s mother treats her like a child, making a budget for her and opening her mail. The woman expresses that she has severe anxiety, but feels unable to tell her mother to back off. Abby suggests that the woman should consider moving out as soon as possible or having her mail delivered to a post office box. She also advises seeking therapy to cope with her anxiety and develop strategies for handling her overbearing mother.
A proud grandmother writes to Dear Abby about her decision to give her grandkids experiences as gifts rather than material items. She mentions that she spends a lot of time with her daughter and grandsons, engaging in activities like visiting kid museums, going snow tubing, hiring a fishing guide, browsing books at bookstores, and going on dinner and lunch dates. The grandmother believes that these shared experiences will be more memorable for her grandkids than traditional toys that may break or become outdated. Abby agrees that the shared experiences are invaluable and will create lasting memories for the children.
In a brief note at the end of the column, Dear Abby, also known as Jeanne Phillips, mentions that the column was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. She provides contact information for readers to submit their questions or feedback to Dear Abby. The column showcases a variety of personal stories and dilemmas from readers seeking advice on relationships, family dynamics, and personal challenges. Dear Abby offers practical and empathetic guidance to help individuals navigate difficult situations and make informed decisions.
