Mars and Venus from Creators Syndicate

Afraid to Commit at 50 for 05/27/2012

Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I am a 50-year-old single man who owns my own business. Recently, I started seeing a woman who lives nearby. I explained that I saw myself as a loner and in fact, had not had a relationship in the past 15 years. I also said that I felt that a transition would be necessary for me to make room in my life for another person.

After a few dates and evenings together, she now seems ...

Updated: Sun May 27, 2012

Baby Delivery Drama for 05/24/2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: My husband and I are having a baby next month. I'm looking forward to this blessed event, except for one thing: both my mother and my mother-in-law want to be in the delivery room with us.

We will be delivering in one of the hospital's cozy birthing suites. Besides the doctor and nurses, we will also have a doula there, so it's going to be a tight fit. Whereas I had invited my ...

Updated: Thu May 24, 2012

Maintaining Love for 05/20/2012

Sun, 20 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: If you find someone that you're attracted to is it at all possible that you can create a love between you by just working at it? Or is it more a matter of finding that one-and-only right person who has just the right magic to make it all work? I am a 25-year-old male eager to hear your answer and eager to find my soul mate! — Curious, in Springfield, Ill.

Dear Curious: W ...

Updated: Sun May 20, 2012

Woman in Love With Best Friend for 05/17/2012

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I'm a 40-year-old woman, and my best friend is a male. "Craig" and I have been friends for three years. Lately, I have been having feelings for Craig that are more than just friendship. Is this normal? He is a man I have trusted completely since I was divorced four years ago. He was in a bad relationship with a woman for over two years. Through it, he has endured physical a ...

Updated: Thu May 17, 2012

Woman Afraid Friend Will Sleep With Her Brother for 05/13/2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: My friend, "Jodi," recently ended a long-term relationship. Her boyfriend had no respect for her and often cheated on her. Needless to say, Jodi makes it a point to be checked out for STDs. She told me this in confidence, and thus far, she's tested negative - although she still sees him periodically. To make matters worse, since the break up, Jodi has been quite the party a ...

Updated: Sun May 13, 2012

Woman Ponders if She Should Pay for 05/10/2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I am going out with a lovely gentleman. He happily pays the bill whenever we go out. Sometimes I felt guilty because I'd like to share the expenses. Is it a good idea to bring the topic up? I feel it may ruin the attraction at this early stage, but I'm not sure if he may think I am stingy or greedy. I'd appreciate any advice from you. — Covering My End, in New Orleans, La.

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Updated: Thu May 10, 2012

Considering Infidelity for 05/06/2012

Sun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I've been married for 18 years to a wonderful, loving, caring woman. Recently, I have been flirting more heavily with my best friend's wife. The two of us have decided that we want to involve ourselves in a sexual relationship, but all I can think about is ruining the lives of my wife and my friend. What should I do? My feelings for this woman are almost that of being in love. Please ...

Updated: Sun May 06, 2012

Will She Ever Find Love Again? for 05/03/2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: My husband and I separated after six years of marriage, and I'm wondering what ever motivated us to become a couple in the first place. He's a terrific guy, but we have virtually nothing in common. I thought opposites attract, but I guess it didn't work in our case. We're both still young, having just turned 30. I guess I'm wondering if I will ever find love again? Thanks in advance ...

Updated: Thu May 03, 2012

Affair Leaves Wife Wanting for 04/28/2012

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

My husband has been having an affair with a co-worker. At first, he claimed he was only giving "emotional support" while she was going through a divorce. He left for a month and now claims that his return is based on wanting to "be here for our 3-year-old daughter." Is there any hope of us rebuilding this marriage? — Wanting Him Still, in Montgomery, Ala.

Dear W ...

Updated: Sat Apr 28, 2012

Cheated on and Scared to Date Again for 04/26/2012

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I've turned down two opportunities to meet new guys because I'm still bitter about how my last relationship ended. I was so deeply disappointed. I was dating this great guy for three months, then to my complete surprise, his ex-girlfriend resurfaces and I find out that he's been seeing her on the side.

I felt so used and abused that I've just not been able to go out on a date ...

Updated: Thu Apr 26, 2012

Tired Stay-at-Home Dad Feels Pressure for 04/22/2012

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: My wife often leaves to go on the road for her job, leaving me to care for the house and our two boys, ages 8 and 6. When she gets back home, I know she needs time to unwind, but I need time as well. And that's my question: What's fair here? When I share with her my feelings, it often leads to an argument. Any advice? —Needing a Break, in Evanston, Ill.

Dear Needing a B ...

Updated: Sun Apr 22, 2012

Confused by Sex for 04/19/2012

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I'm a confused 22-year-old woman. Growing up, I was told by my mom that sleeping with men would make me lose my sense of self-worth, and that if I did, I would end up an old maid. How true is this? — Questioning Mom's Wisdom, in Independence, Mo.

Dear Questioning: Every generation has attached their own set of beliefs and standards to this issue. I believe there is no on ...

Updated: Thu Apr 19, 2012

Divorced and Almost Ready to Date for 04/15/2012

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I've got some wonderful, supportive friends who know that my divorce has made me unhappy and left me with a lot of negative feelings about relationships in general. Still, they think that the best cure is a new relationship. I'd love for that to happen one day, but honestly, I'm not ready. Should I be or is giving myself time the right thing to do? — Not Ready, in Boston, Mass. ...

Updated: Sun Apr 15, 2012

RELEASE: THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012 for 04/12/2012

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I recently started a relationship with my best male friend. Everything is perfect between us except for the fact that he's not a great kisser. He didn't use his tongue at all, his mouth was very wet, and he kept it open all the time. Then he complained that I use my tongue too much. He thinks I'm the one who can't kiss. Can this be resolved? — Tongue-Tied, in Fort Lee, N.J.

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Updated: Thu Apr 12, 2012

RELEASE: SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2012 for 04/08/2012

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: My girlfriend, "Mary," and I have been dating for about six months. Since Day One, we have been inseparable and very much in love. Everything is going great, and we truly believe we are soul mates. We plan to spend the rest of our lives together.

Recently, she admitted to me that her now-deceased father molested her as a child. I was the first and only person she has ...

Updated: Sun Apr 08, 2012

Other Woman Unhappy in Relationship for 04/05/2012

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: Why are men so attracted to other women, even when they appear to be happily married? Some of these on-the-side relationships last for years, but these men remain with their wives! They say they love and adore these other women, yet they don't leave their partners, and they stay in a marriage that is far from perfect. —Unhappily the Other Woman, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

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Updated: Thu Apr 05, 2012

Three Little Words Put Hold on Relationship for 04/01/2012

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I am 47, and my girlfriend Carol is 45. Both of us have been married and divorced. Neither one of us has had any relationship over the past two years. After being together for three months, I am totally in love with Carol, and I have told her this. We both agree that this relationship is the healthiest and most satisfying we have ever been in, but Carol has not said that she loves me ...

Updated: Sun Apr 01, 2012

Engaged Man Gives off Mixed Signals for 03/29/2012

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: I recently asked out a man from who I was getting signals of interest. To my surprise, he turned me down, stating that he was engaged and wondering where I got the idea that he was interested. Since I asked him, he has apologized at least ten times and hangs around chatting with me. He also told me that he would have never guessed that I'd ask him out. I don't understand this! I can' ...

Updated: Thu Mar 29, 2012

Man Doubts Wife's Intentions After Affair for 03/25/2012

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: My wife had an affair that lasted two weeks. Now she is "sorry" and wants to rebuild our relationship, but at the same time, she says that she needs her independence.

She insists on taking weekend trips and maintaining email contact with male friends who have expressed romantic interest in her. These men have in the past offered to have her come stay with them for a ...

Updated: Sun Mar 25, 2012

Girlfriend Needs More Physical Loving for 03/22/2012

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Dear John: How do I convey to my partner that I need more caresses, kisses, touching, holding, and loving? I believe he'd be willing, but how do I get him to do it without actually saying: "Touch me here, kiss me there, hold me close." I have tried moving his hands, and he enjoys the play I do with his body, but I would like him to do the same for me. He seems so content to just lay t ...

Updated: Thu Mar 22, 2012