http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby RSS Feed for P-com Col Dear Abby en-us Wed, 30 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120530_Dear_Abby__Online_dater_fibbed_about_her_name_and_age.html DEAR ABBY: I do online dating. For safety, I use an alias. I look much younger than my 43 years, so I went out with a 29-year-old who thinks I’m 33. I have horrible luck with relationships and didn’t think this one would be any different. Boy, was I wrong! We have been dating three weeks now.How do I tell him I’m 43, have two kids he doesn’t know about and a different name? Or should I just break it off now? http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120529_Dear_Abby__What_to_do_when_bullying_crosses_the_line.html DEAR ABBY: I am a retired New York City police officer and a resource officer at two high schools in Brooklyn. I must comment on the letter you printed from "Worried About My Boy in Tulsa," whose 7-year-old is bullied. If a child hits another child so hard that medical attention is required, it is an assault. The police should have been notified and appropriate law enforcement action taken.The school then has cause to remove the violent child and have him/her placed in an education program better suited for violent children. The statute of limitations is not out, so the police can still be contacted as soon as possible by this parent. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120525_Dear_Abby__At_3_p_m__Memorial_Day__pause_in_tribute.html DEAR ABBY: Would you please remind your many readers that the greatest gift we can give to America’s fallen is the gift of remembrance? The legacy of those who have died for our freedom — from the Revolutionary War to the present — is something that strengthens and unites Americans.Since 1997, Major League Baseball has stopped all games in progress at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. Along with MLB, the Ironworkers, Sheet Metal Workers and firefighters unions, American Veterans Center, the National Cartoonists Society and Bugles Across America observe the Moment, too. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120524_Dear_Abby__Time_to_decline_niece_rsquo_s_holiday_invitations.html DEAR ABBY:My sister “Ruth” and I spent most holidays dining out together after our families grew up and left home. Ruth died last year and her daughter “Lara” began inviting me for holidays “so I wouldn’t be alone.” I have tried to decline, but she persists. She insists that I should be with her instead of with friends, although her plans are always tentative and often change at the last minute. Last Christmas she invited me to a community holiday dinner at 2 p.m. with her friends. At the last minute she called to say we’d be dining at her house in the evening instead, which meant I spent the day alone doing nothing. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/152672145.html DEAR ABBY: From time to time I have read letters in your column about Peeping Toms. You might find our experience interesting. Many years ago, my husband Klaus and I rented a small bungalow in L.A. Not long after we moved in, the woman next door began looking into our bedroom window, pressing her nose against the glass. My husband placed a large mirror in the window frame. Sure enough, the weekend came and she peered into our window. Seeing her face reflected back, she dashed into her house and never looked again. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120523_Dear_Abby__Reader_reflects_on_Peeping_Tom.html DEAR ABBY: From time to time I have read letters in your column about Peeping Toms. You might find our experience interesting. Many years ago, my husband, Klaus, and I rented a small bungalow in L.A. Not long after we moved in, the woman next door began looking into our bedroom window, pressing her nose against the glass. My husband placed a large mirror in the window frame. Sure enough, the weekend came and she peered into our window. Seeing her face reflected back, she dashed into her house and never looked again. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120522_Dear_Abby__Proposal_from_married_man_is_little_cause_for_celebration.html DEAR ABBY: I’m a 42-year-old woman who has been living with my boyfriend, “Matt.” He has asked me to marry him, and I said yes. The problem is, Matt is still married. Matt and his wife have been separated for eight years. I keep telling him to see if she filed for divorce, but he keeps putting it off. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120521_Dear_Abby__Put_a_leash_on_that_bridal_shower.html DEAR ABBY: I agreed to be maid of honor at my best friend’s wedding. I am now planning her bridal shower and just received the guest list from her mother and the groom’s mother, “Alicia.” http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120518_Dear_Abby__Dad_not_eager_to_celebrate_at_rival_graduation_parties.html DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced man with a live-in girlfriend I’ll call Donna. Her two boys also live with us. Donna’s older son will graduate from high school this year, and she has planned a party that her mother and other family members will attend. My daughter, “Sara,” is graduating from the same high school. Sara has shared her concerns with me that Donna’s family won’t care about celebrating her graduation. I tried to assure her that it’s my day to celebrate her accomplishment with her. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dear_abby/20120520_Mom_of_bride_wants_to_help_pick_out_wedding_dress.html DEAR ABBY: My daughter, “Gina,” is engaged but hasn’t started making plans yet. We have had some rough mother/daughter years but are now in a good place. When it’s time, I would like my daughter to ask me to help her pick out her wedding gown. I know that if I talk with her about my wishes, she’ll say, “Sure” or ask me to join her friends, but I want her to want just me to go. What do you think is the best way to handle this? — Mother of the Bride