DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been involved for five years. He was sentenced to prison for 3 1/2 years. Before he left, we had a really rocky relationship. He cheated on me with multiple women, some of whom he continued on with during his prison sentence. I was pregnant when he went away, so I am now raising our child alone.

Fast-forward to the present: He and I are doing extremely well. I see major changes, and we truly believe we can make it work when he's released at the end of next year. My problem is, I have done some things that are eating away at me. I have had numerous relations while he has been away, all the while letting him think I'm this perfect stay-at-home fiancee and mother.

Although none of my affairs have been serious, I'm sure if he finds out, it would be the end of us. I'm scared and confused about what to do. I love him dearly and truly want to spend eternity with him. What should my next step be? -- IMPERFECT, TOO, IN FLORIDA

DEAR IMPERFECT: Your next step should be to tell your boyfriend the truth. While you're at it, tell him you didn't reveal it before because you weren't proud of it and didn't want to worry him while he was locked up. You really have no other option because someone who knows you may let it slip, which would be worse than his hearing from you.

From your description, your baby's father is no angel -- and he should not expect you to be one, either. By the way, your telling him will not be the "end of you." You are the mother of his child, and he is legally obligated to support that child until he or she is no longer a minor.

P.S. Because you and your boyfriend have been sexually active with multiple partners, you should both be checked for STDs.

DEAR ABBY: I would like to address this to parents who have abandoned an LGBTQ child:

I have met your children through my transgender son, and I'm happy to report they are doing fine. They are the nicest, most caring people I know. Instead of being bitter and angry about your rejection, they are welcoming of everyone they meet.

I marvel at their dedication to love. They have taught me by their example that unconditional love is the foundation of the LGBTQ fellowship. It reminds me of a man born in Bethlehem long ago, who taught unconditional love of all people.

Sadly, it seems His message has been diluted, distorted and rewritten. If He were around today, I believe He would really like your child.

So, in closing, let me congratulate you for having raised a wonderful, loving child who is filled with joy and generosity. And please remember: It's never too late to learn how to love. -- PROUD DAD OF A WONDERFUL SON

DEAR PROUD DAD: Your letter carries a strong, positive message. We are all God's children. While I hope your letter will open those parents' hearts, if it doesn't do that, take comfort in the knowledge that many LGBTQ individuals who have been rejected by their parents have learned to build chosen families -- with people like you.

DEAR ABBY: I am almost 30, not married, no kids. I am a workaholic. I love my nieces and nephews to death, and being an aunt is one of my favorite things ever. My issue is: I don't want to have kids.

I started dating again a few months back, and it seems like any man I go on a date with thinks he can change my mind about kids. I have personal medical reasons for not wanting to give birth. Of course, if I do meet a man who has kids, that would be perfect! I'd be a great mom.

So why is it I get called dirty names because I choose not to have kids? Everyone says I'll change my mind once I meet the right guy, but this isn't a negotiable issue. If we want to adopt or consider other options for kids, I am more than willing. There are children who need a home more than I need to bring one into this world just to pass on my DNA. Please help me understand what I am missing. -- UNWAVERING IN IDAHO

DEAR UNWAVERING: Not every woman wants to bear children. That is a fact. For someone to call you "dirty names" because of how you feel is judgmental and presumptuous. Motherhood should be -- and is -- a personal choice, and birth control allows us the freedom to exercise that choice as we see fit.

It's possible you may be dating in the wrong age group. If you concentrate on older men who most likely already have children, I'm betting you will receive less flak and have a better outcome. There are also dating apps for couples who want to remain child-free or for those who are already parents. Check them out.

DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend has a penchant for long stories, many times on the phone, which are trivial. This morning, she called and proceeded to describe, at length, a nightmare she'd had last night. I try -- I really do -- to listen, but I usually wind up thinking, what's the point of having a looong conversation about a nightmare? Because I got bored, I started using the computer to search for some meal coupons. When I found them, I interrupted her monologue, which led to a back-and-forth accusatory interchange, "I interrupt you, you interrupt me," etc., etc., etc.

I have always been easily bored with long-winded conversations about minor issues or non-issues. People sometimes criticize me because it's obvious I'm not paying attention. How do I fix this so people don't get offended when they persist with these pointless stories? Today I had to hang up as our "discussion" was escalating. -- EASILY BORED IN LAS VEGAS

DEAR EASILY BORED: If this happens regularly, the problem may be that you have a short attention span. However, if that's not the case, it's time you realized that relationships are based on people taking the time to communicate with each other. This includes hearing and listening as well as talking. If you value your relationship with your girlfriend, try to make more of an effort. And help her to compromise by pointing out how she can edit some of her longer monologues.

DEAR ABBY: This may seem kind of morbid, but I want to know if I should write a letter to my daughter and son to be read after my death to let them know how very proud I am to have been their mother. Is this an OK thing to do? -- GRATEFUL MOM IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR GRATEFUL MOM: I see nothing wrong with it. However, an even better thing to do would be to convey that message to your son and daughter often while you are still among the living.

DEAR ABBY: I have been married 30 years. Our marriage has been a happy one. My husband supports me through everything. Our problems come up in the bedroom. A few years ago, he wanted to add "spice" to our relationship with a threesome. I agreed to try it if it would make him happy.

Now every time we make love he wants to talk about another man being in our bed. I have tried explaining that I do not enjoy this all the time. It has reached the point that I no longer get turned on. He can start out beautifully. I am turned on and we start. Then he wants me to talk to him about another man being there, and I shut down. When I try to explain it to him, he gets angry or frustrated.

How do I keep my marriage going without losing my husband to a younger woman, and add some spice to my marriage bed without talking about threesomes? I love him and I don't want to lose a marriage we have fought to keep together through thick and thin. Please, help me keep my marriage together. -- LOST AND FRUSTRATED

DEAR LOST AND FRUSTRATED: If ever I heard about a couple who need to talk to a licensed marriage and family therapist -- as well as a sex therapist -- it's the two of you. Sex is supposed to be enjoyable for both partners, not just one. Many straight men's fantasies involve another woman in the marriage bed. That your husband cannot be aroused without having you talk about another man raises questions about the nature of his sexual fantasies that I cannot address.

DEAR ABBY: My husband's parents treat our two daughters very differently. My oldest is bright and talkative, and she's treated with love and kindness from both of them. They bring her gifts for holidays and birthdays and make time to be with her. Our younger daughter has multiple disabilities. She is nonverbal and requires help in all areas. My in-laws act as if she doesn't exist. They never interact with her and never buy her gifts.

They claim to be religious people, but I find their behavior toward our younger child to be completely devoid of love or kindness -- the opposite of what their religion teaches. It's distressing to my husband and me.

We have mentioned the inequality before, to no avail. In fact, they never even responded. What should we do? It's tearing my heart apart to see my younger child treated this way by people who should love her unconditionally. -- MOM OF TWO IN OHIO

DEAR MOM OF TWO: You do not have to sit by and helplessly tolerate your younger daughter being treated the way she has been. I agree that what your in-laws have been doing is cruel and hurtful. It's appalling. So you and your husband should TELL them that if they want to continue seeing their grandchildren, they will show more consideration to the younger one, or else it won't happen.