I’ve caught my wife cheating on me again, something she's been doing for a couple of years now. This time she spent an entire weekend away, though all the while making me feel like everything is fine since the last time she was "caught." She's admitted to a lying "addiction.”
      This time, I feel the need to make her tell someone close to us, such as a good mutual friend or family member. I'm done with keeping her secrets. I keep getting burned.       
      I constantly hear from others that "your wife is so good," "you're so lucky," etc.  I want others to know the truth too - the "real" her. Is this wrong? Does revealing the secrets to others help or hurt? Would it help me get past this? Why do I want her to do this?
      - Alone

You naturally want sympathy but this isn’t the way to get it, because: 1) You can’t make her reveal her affairs (threats and other coercion would only push her away); 2) Even if she agreed, causing her to humiliate herself would make you look foolish, too.    
      People would ask, why isn’t this being handled privately? Why did you take her back? If the answer is that you “love her,” parading her infidelity in public can only harm your relationship further.     
      This isn’t about what others think of your wife; it’s about you two as a couple and what isn’t working. Get marital counselling. If she won’t go, get therapy yourself for the loneliness and grief you feel.     
      The reason you want her to do this is to distract yourself from the real message here: You two need a massive change in how you relate, or YOU must consider options for your own future.

My friend of 30 years failed me when my father died. I’d been supportive when both her marriages failed, through her treatment for cancer, during her devastating decision to let her children live with her ex-husband so she could attend college, and when she wished to investigate an alternative lifestyle.    
      Yet she didn’t even attend my father’s funeral and became defensive when I said I was hurt and disappointed. Now she’s come to me about her same-sex affair with a woman who’s unhappily married.    
      I think it’s wrong to have an affair with someone who’s married and has children. I suggested she separate herself from the relationship until the other person has left the marriage. Otherwise, she’s being selfish and her decision to not do so would affect more than just her. She feels I’m being judgmental because she didn’t attend my father’s funeral.  
      I’m feeling that perhaps this friendship is no longer what is used to be and that I should let it go. I can’t respect or agree with her decision and it’s all she talks about.  She’s told me that her girlfriend is jealous of me because of our friendship and has suggested that I may not see her because of that.  
      - How To Handle?

This has become a one-sided friendship with a woman who’s dealing with many changes which have her self-absorbed. Also, your disapproval of her relationship will become a widening breach between you. Despite the length of this friendship, it’s lost its value to each of you.
      Rather than make a heavy statement of finality, or repeat your disappointments in each other, just let the contact lessen gently. In time you may re-connect; or not.

I often baby-sit for a young couple whose eight-months-old baby is fussy. Twice, I’ve seen the father spank the child (moderately) on his bum. It horrified me, as I don’t believe a crying baby is being “bad ” but rather needs a diaper changed, is hungry, overtired or seeking positive attention. What can I say about the spanking, or must I report child abuse?
      - Your Thoughts?

Recent studies have shown that spanking a very young child has negative results and creates a frustrating, harmful cycle for the child and parents alike.    
      According to recent research at North Carolina’s Duke University, children who are spanked that early are more likely to behave aggressively and perform worse on cognitive tests as toddlers, than children who aren’t spanked.    
      Help educate these parents with your experience; encourage them to take a parenting course. If you see continued or harsher physical punishment, notify children’s services.