Columns

It’s time again for Shortcuts. For every question, I’ll give my advice in just a few sentences because sometimes the answer to a person’s question is so obvious and the need to hear it so great that being as clear and frank as possible is simply the best way to go. I am a much older lady, divorced but attractive. I’ve been told not to sleep with men right away, but there was a guy on holiday I fancied who was a similar age and also divorced and whom I regret not sleeping with. I’m sure he wanted to sleep with me, but the holiday was only five days and I don’t…

I lost my son, “Henry,” in March of this year; he was just 18 years old. He was married and has a 16-month-old daughter and a son due this month. His wife, “Cecelia” and I never saw eye to eye. Henry had run away with her at 16 years old. He was struggling with an addiction, which was what finally took his life. I fought through the courts and CPS to try to get him help for a year and a half, and when Henry was 17-1/2 his father signed a marriage allowance to allow them be married. Game over at that point for me to try to help my son any…

My step-sister and I have always had a strained relationship. A couple years ago she apologized for being mean and ridiculous, and our relationship has gotten better. However, about a month ago, she called me and accused my husband of grinding on my little cousin on Christmas of 2016 (she said that my niece, her daughter, had told her this). I knew that it wasn’t true, but I still asked everyone who was there. My step-dad, step-brother and little cousin all said that nothing like that happened. My stepsister responded by getting angry with everyone for accusing her daughter of lying/exaggerating and told me that it didn’t matter what everyone else said…

It’s time again for “Dear Wendy Updates,” a feature where people I’ve given advice to in the past let us know whether they followed the advice and how they’re doing now. Today we hear from “Looking For More,” the widow who was seeing a widower who just wanted to have sex and be friends (and date other people) while the LW was looking for more. “When I’m with him, he’s very caring and generous, so part of me says why not be happy as long as I know it will never be anything more. The other part of me wonders how did I get to be so stupid and why can’t I…

It’s time again for “Dear Wendy Updates,” a feature where people I’ve given advice to in the past let us know whether they followed the advice and how they’re doing now. Today we hear from “Nude to This” who wrote in last week about being upset that her boyfriend was going to a wedding that she wasn’t invited to where his recent ex would be in attendance, soon after the LW found nude photos of said ex on her boyfriend’s phone. “Should he still go? Should I let him go and should I then get over it even though I have been anxious for weeks, am hurt that he still wants to…

I found this post the other day — 12 People on the Advice That Changed Their Life — and it got me thinking about what advice changed my life. A few bits of wisdom that stand out:

New readers, welcome to Dear Wendy, a relationship advice blog. Read some of the most popular Dear Wendy posts here. If you don’t find the info you need in this column, please visit the Dear Wendy archives or the forums (you can even start your own thread), do a search in the search bar, or submit a question for advice at wendy(AT)dearwendy.com. About six months ago I started dating an amazing guy, Gary; we clicked instantly and for the first time I started an adult relationship. Within weeks I moved in with him, and a few months later we are considering getting married. I know it sounds crazy, but when it’s right,…