Boyfriend in his 50s still relies on parents for financial support

Dear Annie: My boyfriend's parents are truly wonderful people, but they have taught their son to rely solely on them. He is in his 50s, and they still pay his bills and give him loans, often for "toys" rather than something necessary. I am self-sufficient. I borrow money from no one, pay my bills and am on a limited budget.

Recovering drug addict needs parent’s support and trust

Dear Annie: I am a 19-year-old heroin addict striving toward recovery. I go to five Narcotics Anonymous meetings a week, but I have occasional setbacks. After the most recent incident, I left drug paraphernalia in the bathroom. I took full responsibility and was ashamed and disgusted with myself. But the first thing my mother said was, "Did you leave that out on purpose so your sister could find it and start experimenting? She's only 13!"

Husband distraught over wife’s recent confession

Dear Annie: My wife and I are having marital problems. Our issues started when I caught her lying to me and talking privately on the phone to my best friend of 12 years -- the same guy who was the best man at my wedding. After arguing for a few days, I asked her to make a sincere effort to go for counseling, and she agreed. I also asked her to stop speaking to my friend during the time we are trying to repair our marriage. She agreed to that, too.

Sister and family concerned for brother’s well being

Dear Annie: I'm a mother in my mid-20s and a very concerned sister. My brother, "Dennis," is four years younger and the first to graduate high school. He went to college and had everything going for him. Now he is throwing it all away.

Girlfriend is fed up, ready to get married

Dear Annie: I have been with "John" for more than 10 years. We have children together. I have reached the point in my life that I wish to be married. I never wanted to be a girlfriend forever, and he knew this from the beginning.

Hurt mom seeks reconciliation with son

Dear Annie: Two years ago, my son's fiancee recommended we rotate who hosts Christmas dinner. That year, she and my son went to her mom's house, and last year they were supposed to come to mine. Instead, they went to her mom's again and were upset that I didn't want to tag along. Annie, at the time, my 73-year-old mother was in a rehab facility.

Fed up granny

Dear Annie: Normally I'm good at minding my own business, but when I see how my granddaughter, "Susie," manipulates her mother (my daughter), I feel the urge to say something.

Stressed out daughter seeks help

Dear Annie: My parents have been divorced for 30 years. Both made mistakes when they were married, but the end was due to my mom's drinking. Dad provided for me and now takes an active role in his grandchildren's lives, always making an effort to show up for their events.

Depressed woman seeks help

Dear Annie: I was diagnosed with depression more than 20 years ago. When I was in high school, I was hospitalized for close to a year. Because money and insurance have been sporadic, I have been on and off of medication. Plus, once I get on a good medication, I start feeling that I don't need it anymore. Last year, my husband lost his job, so I have no insurance and have been off of medication since.

Second wife needs to release bitterness

Dear Annie: My husband and I lived with a very dysfunctional situation for several years. His children from a prior marriage were encouraged by their mother to tell falsehoods about our home life. She was planning to leave the state and needed full custody in order to take them, and she ultimately accomplished this.

Boyfriend dependent on mother

Dear Annie: I have been dating "Stan" for five years. We are both in our 60s. When we started dating, I was absolutely certain that I did not want to get married. But Stan and I have been through so much these past few years with various illnesses and the like. We have always stood by each other, and I have come to realize that I would like to be married to this ...

Stepmother notices a negative change in her stepdaughter

Dear Annie: My incredible husband of two years has a 4-year-old daughter with his ex-wife. I have actively helped raise "Christie" since she was barely a year.

Husband might be too generous

Dear Annie: When my husband and I travel, we often spend a couple of days with friends or family. One night during our stay, we usually go out to dinner. There always seems to be a small verbal battle over who is going to pay the bill.

Clingy child frustrates father

Dear Annie: My wife and I have a wonderful 3-year-old son. We have a great home and make good money, but life stinks.

Woman guilty about dating after husband’s death

Dear Annie: I was married to my husband for 31 years. Two years ago, he was killed in an accident. I loved him to the moon and back and miss him terribly.

Wife unsure of what to do about husband’s dementia

Dear Annie: I've been married to "Ned" for 25 years, and each year it seems to get worse. When we married, he told me I could do whatever I wanted with the house, but he never said I'd be the one paying.

Dog’s human mom experiences drama at local dog park

Dear Annie: I have an 8-month-old puppy, and I take her to a local dog park so she can run off leash and play with the other dogs, which she loves. In the three months I have been taking her, "Phoebe" has never been attacked or fought with another dog. That was until last night, when Phoebe approached another dog that was on a leash and that dog attacked her.

Mother unsure how to handle ex’s girlfriend