My wife has changed everything about our marriage. When we got engaged, we both agreed on starting a family right away, as we were both late-30s.

She got pregnant on our honeymoon and we soon had twin sons, and then a daughter, 18 months later.

My wife stayed home (she'd been in fashion retail when single), and became a tremendous mother and homemaker. She baked cookies, carted the kids to pre-school programs, and made terrific dinners for our family meal after I got home from work.

But as soon as all three kids were in school full-time, she marched back into the retail world and eventually opened her own store.

Our life is now on a strict schedule, with me having to drive the kids to school, and do many chores including food shopping, which she used to do. She also has to travel for buying trips and sometimes brings work home at night to catch up on her record keeping.

It's certainly improved our lifestyle with her added income. We can afford to travel as a family and the kids go to a great private school. But we've little time together as a couple and our intimacy has suffered.

Too Busy

Intimacy IS important, and something you two need to work on. But don't go after your wife for being "at fault" for becoming a contributor to a lifestyle that also brings great benefits. She's a very capable woman, and surely, with encouragement, can discuss with you how to capture some couple time.

Consider scheduling a weekly "date night" that sets the mood. Suggest she hire a helper who opens the store in the morning, plan your own work to start two hours later, and use that time to return after the kids go to school. Where there's a will, there's always a way.... so re-kindle that will on both sides.

I have two best friends, but I am closer to one of them, but she's recently been avoiding me. Maybe she doesn't realize that she's avoiding me because she doesn't talk to me.

We've carpooled together ever since the beginning of high school. But this year she had a friend on the same team who's joined us in the carpool. I quickly became friends with her, too. She lives in the same neighborhood as well.

So my best friend and I don't talk alone in the car any more. Also, we have no classes together, and we don't hang out with each other at lunch because she became very popular.

I just hang with her friends who are really shy so it's hard to make conversation. I thought about leaving the school, but things wouldn't get any better.

I do have class friends but I don't make close friends with ease. Should I confront my best friend and tell her that I miss her and we should hang out?

Getting Emotional

Hold onto your emotions, or you might push your friend away. "Confrontation" isn't necessary, just a gentle talk about trying to find some time to hang out together.... after school for a hot chocolate, doing homework at one of your homes, seeing a movie on the weekend, etc.

It's natural for "best friends" to also have other friends. Don't take it personally if she's more outgoing than you. And don't act needy. Think of one of your special interests - a sport, art, or music? - and join a group that's involved in it. It'll be easier to make new friends at a common activity.

My daughter, 12, is very clingy with me and insecure. I'm wondering if sending her to a sleepover camp this summer is a good idea to get her more independent. There's one with an excellent reputation where they don't allow a Parents' Visiting Day or any contact for the two months' stay. Is this wise?

Uncertain

It's likely a great camp for the right child, if the supervision is as good as its reputation. But for your child, it could be like dumping her in ice water and telling her to swim.

It's more important to probe why she's so clingy and insecure. If there's a background reason, she may need counselling.

Talk to her. A two-week stay at a specialty camp for which she has an attraction e.g. an arts/drama camp, might be a better introduction to going off without you. OR, she may still not be ready.