Dear Abby, the popular advice columnist, recently received a letter from a woman struggling to navigate her relationship with her sisters. This woman, who signed her letter as ‘FAILURE’ IN FLORIDA, shared her experience of feeling out of place among her siblings due to their differing financial situations. She and her late sister, Rachel, were considered the “failures” of the family because they had to work hard to support their families, unlike their two sisters who married into wealth.
The writer expressed frustration with her sisters’ lack of understanding about the demands of her life and the need to prioritize work and family responsibilities over spontaneous get-togethers. Abby advised her to have an open conversation with her sisters about their different lifestyles, boundaries, and the need for advance notice when making plans. The columnist also questioned why the woman would want to spend time with people who made her feel inadequate.
In another letter, a man described his strained relationship with his adult daughters, who seem to believe their mother’s negative portrayal of him following their divorce. The man, who is now remarried, expressed his wife’s frustration with his daughters’ lack of communication and involvement in his life. Abby suggested having individual conversations with his daughters to address the misunderstandings and clarify his perspective on the divorce without attacking their mother. The columnist emphasized the importance of adult daughters taking responsibility for their beliefs and decisions.
