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Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999. Dear Ann Landers: My husband and I have a home on the lake where we go on weekends and vacations with our two children, their spouses and our four young grandchildren. The problem is a 12-year-old girl who lives across the street. This child is …Read more. Classic Ann Landers, November 15 Dear Ann Landers: Every time I see a letter in your column from someone questioning the remarriage of a widow or widower, I want to write. This time, an actual letter goes in the mail. My wonderful husband passed away 10 years ago. He lost his …Read more. Classic Ann Landers, November 1 Dear Ann Landers: I am 60 and have just been diagnosed with cancer. My problem is my daughter, "Ingrid." She lives in another state and has my only four grandchildren. I went through a nasty divorce a few years back and spent 10 long years …Read more. Classic Ann Landers, October 25 Dear Ann Landers: I have written this letter to you in my head at least a thousand times, and now I have decided to put it on paper and mail it. I want you to know that you saved my life. My father had been sexually abusing me for a long time. It …Read more.
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Classic Ann Landers, November 8

Dear Ann Landers: Three months ago, our 18-year-old daughter "Ramona" had her tongue pierced. My wife and I had warned Ramona that if she pierced her tongue, she would lose her rights to the family car. She apparently didn't care, because she did it without our knowledge. In fact, her tongue was pierced for almost two weeks before we noticed.

I grounded her and took away the car keys, but the punishment lasted only a week because it became too inconvenient for me to drive her to after-school activities. My wife was angry with me for giving in, but we have since made peace. All is not well in our household, however, because my wife flatly refuses to speak to Ramona.

Our daughter is a good kid, Ann. She comes home on time and never gets into any trouble. I think my wife's continued silent treatment is excessive. Ramona has tried repeatedly to talk to her mother, but it does no good. I want to see their relationship improve, but every time I bring up the subject to my wife, we argue. Do you have any suggestions? — Depressed Dad in the Midwest

Dear Dad: Your wife should try to bury the hatchet, not so much for Ramona's sake, but for her own. Three months is much too long to be stewing in silence about something that was done by a daughter who is of legal age. I suspect your wife's anger is rooted elsewhere. Seeing as this is having a bad effect on your marriage, I suggest you join counseling — and the sooner the better.

Dear Ann Landers: My husband and I have been married for five months.

"Leonard" is involved in a custody battle for his 1-year-old son from a previous relationship. I knew about the situation when I married him and was sure I would be able to handle it. Well, I was wrong.

When Leonard's son comes to the house to visit, I become edgy and irritable and don't want anything to do with the boy. I know this is terrible of me, especially because I have two daughters from a previous marriage and Leonard is wonderful to them. No matter how hard I try, I simply cannot give his son the same affection he gives my children. Leonard is now in court trying to get custody of the boy, and if he should succeed, I don't know what I will do.

Should I end our marriage now or stick it out and hope I can learn to love the child? Please help me, Ann. There is no way I can talk to anyone else about this. — Tormented in Tucson, Ariz.

Dear Tucson: I admire your willingness to admit so openly your feelings about the child. That's a healthy first step. Please see a professional and get some guidance on how to deal with this problem. Your marriage could depend on it. Meanwhile, a visit to the playground or zoo, just you and the boy, could be a good start in developing a bond. Consider it.

Looking for an uplifting, quick read? "A Collection of My Favorite Gems of the Day" contains hand-picked jokes and witticisms from the world over. Send a self-addressed, long, business-sized envelope and a check or money order for $5.25 (this includes postage and handling) to: Collection, c/o Ann Landers, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

ANN LANDERS (R)

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