November 15, 2025 Issue, Page 5 of 12

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ACTIVITIES The Elk City News SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • 5 Ex-Husband’s Treatment Of Son Breaks Mother’s Heart DEAR ABBY: My ex, “Hank,” and engineered the estrangement, and guess I came across as too clingy. I’m happens through shared interests. I have two sons together. Both are DEAR ABBY nothing you or Andrew can do will the one who initiates most contact What is your son interested in? Is he smart, kind, college-educated, hard- fix it. You didn’t mention how An- with my old school friends. involved in sports or other activities working and independent young should know they are loved by their drew’s lack of a healthy relationship Now I see the same thing happen- outside of school? While it is true that adults. parents. They should NOT have to with his father has affected him. ing with my 7-year-old son. When no one can “expect” others to be close Hank is estranged from our young- continually prove they are worthy of Was the therapy that was tried fam- his cousins or my cousins’ kids come friends, relationships form as a result er son, “Andrew.” Andrew could nev- their parent’s love. It crushes me that ily therapy? Marriage counseling for and he plays with them, he wants of exposure to a variety of activities er live up to his father’s expectations. Andrew doesn’t have a father he can you and your ex? Individual ther- to maintain friendships with them and individuals. Your fear that your This is one of the reasons I fell out count on to be there for him uncon- apy for your son? It’s possible that a through video calls, voice messages, son will turn out to have the same of love with my husband. He would ditionally. licensed mental health professional etc. I can see that the other kids and social difficulties that you do may be initiate a verbal confrontation with Andrew had emergency surgery might help Andrew come to terms their parents aren’t as interested in groundless. He may need exposure to Andrew and say things like, “You are this week, and Hank never bothered with the years of emotional neglect maintaining friendships, including more kids than he has had in order to not my son.” Later, he’d clarify that he to check in to ask how he was doing. he has suffered, but only if he agrees my brother and his daughter. find his way socially. meant Andrew doesn’t ACT like his We have tried therapy. Is there any- he needs it. My son is sensitive like I was. How older brother does. Another exam- thing else that would help with the do I explain to him that he shouldn’t Dear Abby is written by Abigail ple: “You didn’t call me last week, so estrangement between a father and a DEAR ABBY: I am a 36-year-old expect everyone to be his friend Van Buren, also known as Jeanne I’m not going to help you out today.” son? — MOM WHO MUST ALSO woman from Pakistan. I read your without giving him the impression Phillips, and was founded by her It has been painful to watch as a BE DAD advice with great interest. Since that “nobody cares”? — SAD MOM mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact mom, and for a child to experience. DEAR MOM: What a sad letter, childhood, it was always hard for me IN PAKISTAN Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com The one blessing is that both boys and what a poor excuse for a hus- to make friends. People who I liked I DEAR SAD MOM: Friendships or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA love each other. I believe children band and father. Your ex-husband pushed hard to be friends with, but I have to evolve naturally. Often this 90069. CROSSWORD Get Fuzzy CURRENT PUZZLE ANSWERS Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield