detnews.com - Advice

Brian J. O'Connor: The Grand Experiment: Taking a baby-sitting stand

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:12:00 EST

It's a tough balancing act: Cut too much, and the best sitters will simply drop the Your Money family. Yet you need sitters smart enough to help your kid with homework, not some tween-age girls giving him plot points to the latest "Twilight" installment. Child care always is a gnarly problem, and in this case the answer is simple: Dad.

Jeanne Phillips: Man's daughters too much for girlfriend

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Abby: I have been dating "Charlie" for almost a year. We both have children from previous relationships. He has recently been talking about marriage, but as much as I care for him, I am reluctant.

Dr. Paul Donohue: No cure, but plenty of canker sore treatments

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Dr. Donohue: I've been bothered with canker sores of the mouth for almost a year. And I'm talking about having five or six at a time. Is there a cure?

Dr. Paul Donohue: Doctor must diagnose leg, ankle swelling

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Dr. Donohue: My legs, ankles and feet get really swollen, and I mean really. During the day, if I slip my shoes off, I can't get them back on. What can I do to take down the swelling?

Jeanne Phillips: Musical mom mortifies daughter

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

DEAR ABBY: I am an 11-year-old girl who loves going shopping and doing various stuff with my mom. But when we go to the mall or stop for lunch and she hears a song she likes, she'll start singing to it. And if we're standing up, she even dances to it a little.

Jeanne Phillips: Woman's size shouldn't deter quest for love

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Abby: I'm 32 and a "large girl." I am also intelligent, witty and fun to be around. I make friends wherever I go. The problem is my mother -- who is also big -- keeps telling me that heavy women are not desirable and we must "settle" when it comes to choosing a mate.

Jeanne Phillips: Guilt mars comfort couple finds as lovers

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Abby: Is there anything wrong with having a lover solely for the purpose of sex? He is grieving for his late wife (my best friend), and I am separated from my husband. We're both lonely and have supported each other through our pain. A few weeks ago we decided to become lovers.

Paul Donohue: 'Prolapse' is defined as 'dropping' of organ

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Dr. Donohue: I recently developed a prolapsed bladder. While I know it is not life-threatening, I want to take care of it ASAP. I am 74 and very active. My gynecologist wants me to do Kegel exercises and be fitted with a pessary. He doesn't want to do surgery. I would like the surgery while I am healthy enough to recover in a timely manner and get it over with. Please give me your opinion.

Paul G. Donohue: Lasting cough may signal lung ailment

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Dr. Donohue: For

Jeanne Phillips: Art of letter-writing suffers neglect in age of the Internet

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Dear Abby: Please don't think I'm stupid for asking this, but I need some help. The practice of letter-writing appears to be a dying form because of e-mail and texting -- which I'm good at. But when I receive a nice gift, I know the proper way to acknowledge it is to write a thank-you letter.