After being left by his wife of 28 years who says she needs time and space to work on herself but wants to work on their marriage, a man writes to Dear Abby seeking advice. He is confused about how they can work on their marriage if there is no contact between them. Dear Abby advises him to ask his wife if she is interested in counseling and recommends seeking therapy for himself to better understand the situation. She suggests that the man will be able to figure out his next steps more quickly with emotional support.
In another letter, a parent expresses guilt over their children spreading pink eye to their nephews despite following the doctor’s recommendations. Dear Abby suggests sending a large box of chocolates or signing up the family for an “Ice Cream of the Month Club” to make up for it and include a message apologizing for the pink eye. This gesture is meant to sweeten the experience for the family and acknowledge the unintentional spread of the infection.
A 14-year-old boy writes to Dear Abby about his desire to date a girl who is his sister’s best friend, but his parents have a rule that he cannot date until he turns 16. He is concerned about missing the opportunity to get to know the girl and worries about making things awkward with his sister. Dear Abby advises him to abide by his parents’ rules for now and suggests building a friendship with the girl instead. She reassures him that the girl is unlikely to disappear from his life just because they are not dating.
Dear Abby, written by Abigail Van Buren, offers advice for various life scenarios such as relationship issues, family conflicts, and parenting concerns. Readers can submit their questions online or by mail for her to provide guidance on a wide range of topics. Founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips, Dear Abby continues to be a popular and trusted source of advice for those seeking insight into their personal dilemmas. The columns are meant to offer support and suggestions to help individuals navigate challenging situations and make informed decisions.
