Life Advice
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Asking Eric: Husband always corrects wife, even when she’s right
Dear Eric: Often when I make a comment or tell a story my husband corrects me. If I try and defend what I've said, he just implies that I'm wrong and he's right. It can be embarrassing when we are out socially. Most of the time I let it slide. Because if I try to point out that I'm correct and he's wrong, he just carries on as if he's right. At ...Read more
Walking on Eggshells: When Control Becomes Abuse
Dear Annie: Lately, I've been struggling with my husband's temper, and I don't know what to do. When things don't go his way -- whether it's something small like dinner plans or something bigger like finances -- he lashes out. He calls me names, belittles me and makes me feel like I'm always in the wrong. I try to keep the peace, but it feels ...Read more

Ask Anna: Exploring open fantasies -- how to handle regret and uncertainty
Dear Anna,
I need advice about a sexual situation I can't discuss with anyone else. My wife and I have been together for nine years (married for four) with a good relationship and great sex life. We've always explored fantasies through dirty talk during intimacy. I've always found the idea of seeing my wife with another man arousing. Early in ...Read more

Asking Eric: Husband’s anxiety makes wife anxious, too
Dear Eric: My husband is in his mid-80s and I’m in my late 70s. My husband has always suffered from anxiety, whereas I am calmer.
Over the years, my husband has used various anti-anxiety drugs under a doctor’s supervision and found one that works. He has tried some mindfulness techniques, but at times of high anxiety, he doesn’t use them....Read more
Finding Financial Balance
Dear Annie: Money can be one of the biggest sources of stress in a marriage, and it sounds like some people who write in to you feel more like accountants than equal partners. That's a red flag. A healthy financial arrangement should feel fair, transparent and respectful -- not like you're under a microscope while your husband has free rein.
...Read more

Asking Eric: Brother-in-law gets aggressive about inheritance split
Dear Eric: My brother passed in 2023. He was not married and had no children. He left an estate of $1.5 million. My two sisters and I split his estate equally and have finally closed the estate. From the start, my older sister's husband protested that we should not split the estate equally. He says we should have split it to "level the ...Read more
As Luck Would Have It
Dear Readers: In light of St. Patrick's Day, I want to share this story from "Same Boat," who wrote a response recently to share the story of how he reconnected with his fiancee from 28 years ago. With all the twists and turns of life, his story is about as lucky as they get. May your holidays be equally serendipitous!
Dear Annie: Thank you for...Read more
Everyone Wants a Village, But No One Wants To Be a Villager
A few years ago, a friend of mine asked if I'd be willing to be the emergency contact for her kids at their school. I told her it would be an honor to be a part of her village.
We say it all the time: "It takes a village." But we rarely stop to consider what that actually means. We long for community and a sense of belonging, for people to show...Read more

Asking Eric: Overworked grandmother has no time for her own life
Dear Eric: I am a 76-year-old man. My best friend is a woman who is 75. Her son and daughter-in-law have an 11-year-old and two little children under three. The son very frequently asks her to provide child-care for overnights and weekends. They are very active and seem to always have plans for ski and bike trips, hiking and camping trips, and ...Read more
The Value of Appreciation
Dear Annie: For the past several years, I have donated two medical scholarships to the local high school in memory of my mother-in-law. While I have received a couple of thank-you notes from students over the years, most of the time, I hear nothing -- not even a simple acknowledgment from the school.
Because of this lack of appreciation, I am...Read more

Asking Eric: Sister’s abusive son keeping her from getting help
Dear Eric: My sister is a little person and is currently unable to walk without a scooter or crutches. Last year she slipped and hurt her hip. She’s waiting to have surgery in another state. I am her only sibling that lives in this state.
She gave up driving a few years ago. When she wants to go somewhere, she relies on me. She has a son in ...Read more
Single and Thriving: Readers Weigh In
Dear Readers: Many of you wrote to me in response to "Independent and Irritated." This 65-year-old single woman was struggling with how to reply to people who questioned why she never married despite her older age. So many readers wrote in to share their own similar experiences and suggest some wonderful replies to an invasive and awkward ...Read more

Asking Eric: Neurodivergent aunt not invited to niece’s wedding
Dear Eric: A few months ago, I discovered I was not invited to my niece’s wedding this summer. She is the daughter of my only sibling. I was told when I asked my sister if I needed to save the date. I have attended my sister's other two children's weddings.
I should include that I am an adult, ASD Level 1. Most people would be familiar with ...Read more
Setting Boundaries with an Overbearing Mother-in-Law
Dear Annie: My husband, "Jake," and I have been married for eight years. We have a 5-year-old son, "Caleb." For the most part, we have a solid marriage, but there's one issue that keeps coming up -- his mother, "Linda."
Linda has always been a little overbearing, but ever since Caleb was born, it's gotten worse. She stops by unannounced at ...Read more

Ask Anna: Hooked on your ex's Spotify? How to let go for good
Dear Anna,
I've been broken up with my ex for almost four months now. I did everything the experts recommend — blocked him on social media, deleted his number and even asked mutual friends not to mention him. I was doing well until I realized I could still see his Spotify playlists even though I blocked him. Now I find myself checking them ...Read more

Asking Eric: Ex-best friend doubts friend’s grief
Dear Eric: Kate and I have been friends for more than 20 years. Over 10 years ago, I would’ve almost considered us best friends. My husband considered her husband his best friend. As years went by, Kate treated her husband so disrespectfully. Time went by and their children spoke to him terribly, too.
Unfortunately, he passed away ...Read more
Overwhelmed Wife and a Sister Who Treats Me Like an ATM
Dear Annie: I've been married to my husband, "David," for 12 years. We have two kids, "Ella" (9) and "Lucas" (6). Lately, I've been feeling like I'm doing everything alone. David works long hours as an accountant, and I understand that his job is demanding, but when he gets home, he zones out on his phone or watches TV while I handle dinner, ...Read more
Single File: Father as Mother
A recent letter in this column has stirred up a virtual hornet's nest. It comes from a 30-something man who -- vigorously and rather unpleasantly -- stakes claim to nearly all parenting rights and privileges in his (hypothetical) marriage. At the moment, he's neither husband nor parent. But he has thought through the battles he'd wage. Example: ...Read more

Apply the burnt toast theory to online dating -- it may save your sanity
You may have heard of the “burnt toast theory.” If you haven’t yet (or need a quick refresher), the idea is this: If you burned your toast while making breakfast, you need to spend another five or 10 minutes making a new piece. That extra time might be annoying and cause you to run late, but it may actually be saving you from something ...Read more

Asking Eric: Daughter-in-law never acknowledges gifts
Dear Eric: Over the years my husband and I have given our son and daughter-in-law many gifts such as kitchen appliances, furniture, a car and other expensive items. These gifts have always been presented to both of them.
Our daughter-in-law has never acknowledged this. We don’t understand why. Our daughter-in-law has a very strong personality...Read more