For the first letter, a woman writes to Dear Abby concerned about her husband’s escalating anger issues. She describes how he has a history of angry outbursts, even when they were dating, but they have become more frequent and destructive since he lost his job six months ago. The woman is worried about the negative impact this is having on their children and her own mental well-being. She has suggested marriage counseling to her husband, but he has ignored her. Dear Abby advises her to start saving money and reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help in forming a safe escape plan.
In the second letter, a woman writes to Dear Abby about her sister giving her daughter the nickname “Patzilla,” which she finds hurtful and not something she wants her child associated with. Despite expressing her dislike for the nickname, the sister has continued to use it. Dear Abby acknowledges that the nickname is mean-spirited and advises the woman to not expose her child to anyone who ridicules her or calls her names that she does not want her to have.
Dear Abby, also known as Abigail Van Buren, was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips, and continues to offer advice and guidance to readers. People can reach out to Dear Abby through her website or by mail to address their concerns and seek help with various issues they may be facing in their lives. Readers can share their personal stories and receive practical advice from Dear Abby to address their problems and make informed decisions about how to move forward in challenging situations.
