Annie's Mailbox

Dear Annie: I was with “Barry” for 2 years. After the first 8 months of an amazing relationship, things started going downhill. Out of the blue, I felt I couldn’t trust him. He didn’t do anything in particular. For no reason, I just started checking his phone and becoming clingy and controlling. We fought over stupid things because of me.

Dear Annie: My wife of 27 years hugs and kisses everyone she meets, no matter how often she sees them. I have spoken to her about this, stating that not everyone is comfortable being hugged and kissed all the time.

Dear Annie: I have two children who attend public school in California. We were relatively happy with our children’s education until our oldest started fifth grade. We had heard rumors for many years that one particular fifth-grade teacher was absolutely awful, and of course, our son got her. This woman is mean and degrading and belittles the children on a daily basis. What’s worse, she seems to get pleasure from her horrible treatment of these poor kids.

Dear Annie: How can a 62-year-old woman be so confused at this stage of life? My domestic partner and I have been together 12 years, and our relationship has recently become shaky.

Dear Annie: I am so frustrated with my husband. We have four children under the age of 8. He actually encourages them to watch scary movies and play violent video games. He says it’s OK because he’s with them and can explain anything they don’t understand. He says he’s watched horror movies since he was a young kid and there’s nothing wrong with it.

Dear Annie: My son, “Terry,” is 30 and newly divorced with two sons. My husband and I have been helping him since he had a hard time finding a job. He lived with us for 3 months. My husband (his stepfather) bought him a car and insurance, so he could get to work and be able to pick up his boys.

Dear Annie: Five years ago, my wife had an affair with my best friend, left me and married him. She now has total custody of our two kids. She lied to the court and to our friends and said I was an abusive husband. Everyone believed her, and in a small town, it has left me feeling like an outsider.

Dear Annie: My husband and I are both retired. A year ago, we moved in order to be within driving distance of our three married children. We mentioned to our minister that we were new to the area, and he suggested social groups that meet at the church.

Dear Annie: Last year, my husband was hospitalized at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. We live 250 miles from the hospital and spent the week with friends nearby. We visited my husband daily, and did the same a few months later when he needed a second surgery.

Dear Annie: My parents had been married 25 years when my father died at age 45. With her world crashing down around her, Mom began drinking. Dad has been gone 6 years, and my mother has become a full-blown alcoholic.