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RELEASE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012 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 Readers: Several readers have written to say it was easier to get off cocaine than …Read more. RELEASE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2012 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: Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with kidney disease. My mother told me …Read more. RELEASE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 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: Too many parents have no idea what goes on all day in school, and yet, …Read more. RELEASE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2012 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: I am the mother of a very confused 5-year-old boy. His father and I …Read more.
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Classic Ann Landers January 3

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Dear Ann Landers: I married very young and had a daughter. The marriage didn't last. I remarried a few years later, and my second husband adopted "Eleanor." She is now 52 years old and never has asked about her birth father, although I would have been happy to tell her whatever she wanted to know. My ex-husband never wanted anything to do with us. He refused to pay child support, even though it was mandated by the divorce decree. He moved back to his hometown, and that was the last I heard of him.

A few weeks ago, Eleanor told me she needed information about her father's medical history, and I found his address and phone number through the Internet. She telephoned him, and they spoke briefly. It seems he has been remarried for 45 years and has three sons and several grandchildren. He said he never told his children about his first marriage or that he has a grown daughter and asked Eleanor to keep it quiet. She promised to honor his request.

I am upset about this, and Eleanor is deeply hurt that her father wants nothing to do with her, even after all these years. I decided to write to my ex-husband and send him a photograph of Eleanor and her children, along with her phone number. I asked him to please reconsider. We have heard nothing.

Isn't it a shame that on top of rejecting his daughter, he says his sons aren't supposed to know they have a sister? Should I get their addresses and give them to Eleanor or let sleeping dogs lie? — In a Quandary in Colorado

Dear Quandary: This man did not pay any child support and showed zero interest in his daughter while she was growing up.

He's made it plain that he wants no part of her now. It would serve no purpose to drag his sons into this sad situation. I say, "Let sleeping dogs lie."

Dear Ann Landers: My daughter, "Gloria," is 42 years old and divorced. She has been dating a nice man for more than a year. They plan to marry, but he hasn't said when. He says he wants to buy a house but still hasn't done it. Meanwhile, Gloria tells me she doesn't know whether she should move into his place or he should live at hers.

Here's what is confusing me. He says he wants to marry her, but there is no engagement ring. He never has given her a Christmas present, a Valentine's Day gift or anything for her birthday. Every Saturday night, they go out for dinner, and that's it. What do you make of this, Ann? — Concerned Mother in Ohio

Dear Mother: MYOB, and stop encouraging Gloria to pressure the fellow. She is 42 and should be able to evaluate the situation on her own. Some men are gift-minded; others are not. Others are just plain cheap. Gifts are a lovely "extra," but it's how he treats her that counts, and Gloria is the best judge of that.

Lonesome? Take charge of your life and turn it around. Write to receive Ann Landers' booklet "How To Make Friends and Stop Being Lonely." Send a self-addressed, long, business-sized envelope and a check or money order for $4.25 (this includes postage and handling) to: Friends, 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)

COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM


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2 Comments | Post Comment
I have been dating a man for several years. He has two daughters. One is in college and one was engaged but recently they broke up. The man I have been dating recently purchased a house and will be closing on it and moving into it in approximately one month. This house has three bedrooms. His daughters want to move in with him. They were currently living with their mother. The oldest daughter is 22 and the youngest is 19. Since this is not our house but rather his house (we did not purchase this house together, I already own property) my opinions have basically been dismissed by him regarding this matter. The ironic thing is I am the one who convinced him to buy real estate to receive the $8,000 government credit. He was renting. Once child support payments stopped he had the additional funds to do so. I thought this would eventually be our house. I could sell my property and help him pay this off immediatelly after he received the credit. However, he had thrown this monkey wrench into the situation and I have been feeling completely left out. I was never consulted and I was told (dictated to is more like it) his ex had his daughters all this time and now it is his turn. Basically he is suffering from guilty father syndrome. However, my opinion is they are no longer children and need to grow up and become more independant and responsible so they can live on there own (especially the 22 year old). This is certainly not helping the situation. Am I being irrational? I personally do not think I am. Or should I move on to someone who values me and our relationship versus leading me on and misinforming me knowing full well I have been against this from the beginning. I left him once several months ago for this very issue and we reunited because he reassured me his daughters would only be visiting and not be permanently residing in this house. This man and I are both in our 50's and I felt we should be thinking about our retirement and our life together, not about permanently supporting his daughters.
Thank You
Feeling Left Out
Comment: #1
Posted by: Karen Ullrich
Mon Apr 5, 2010 9:45 AM
Of course this man should have time with his daughters. His children should be his #1 priority. You need to deal with that, or move on. Twenty-two is not too old to live with your parent. If she were 32, and had children, that would be a different story.
Comment: #2
Posted by: Barb
Sat May 15, 2010 6:37 AM
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