My husband and I had a very short courtship.
Since marrying, he’s suspicious of me seeing someone else, lying to him, or being dishonest with him about money. I feel very hurt that he doesn’t trust me.
But he moves on like nothing’s happened and my reaction to him becomes the bigger focus than what he’s said.
There’s never an apology for the baseless accusations. Is this something that will fade with time as trust grows or a sign of a paranoid mind?

- Innocent and Worried

Confront this situation before it drives you two apart; or worse, before you feel intimidated and stuck in a relationship of emotional abuse.
It’s possible that this is his own insecurity about having married so quickly so it’s a topic you two should discuss, and also consider marriage counselling to help you both adjust and allay fears.
However, if he refuses to go, and his suspicions persist, look to other logical causes, such as an alcohol or substance abuse problem, as these sometimes lead to paranoia. A medical check would also be worthwhile.
He needs to recognize the problem he’s causing, and start to handle it. Above all, do NOT be defensive about your reaction, it’s his behaviour that’s wrong, and ultimately destructive.

My girlfriend’s taken up yoga with a vengeance. She’s gone several nights a week, leaving me to baby-sit. She takes weekend classes, and wants to go on a yoga retreat for one week.
Why is yoga considered a sanctioned escape from her responsibilities?

- Fed Up

This is about being a couple, not about yoga.
Two possibilities: 1) Perhaps she was carrying too many of the responsibilities.
Or 2) You two need to compromise on free time for both, sharing child-rearing, chores, and time together.

I’m 18, in university, living with my parents and two younger sisters when not in school.
My dad, loves his family, but has always been verbally/ mentally abusive.  He’s from a third-world country where “how he speaks” is considered nothing compared to beatings which are common there.
He won’t accept that he’s hurting his family, nor talk to anyone about it, because confiding in outsiders is “traitorous.”
I’ve been depressed/suicidal since Grade 4 (I’ve gotten help), and my gifted sister has neglected her studies deliberately.
After a large fight, my dad threatened to move out with the 8-year-old; I almost was forced to leave home, and my mother attempted suicide (her work provides most of the family’s income).
My boyfriend’s willing to take me in, but we wouldn’t manage without extreme cut-backs (only one of us attending university at a time).
I hate worrying every day about my sisters and my mother, and can’t get through to my father.
What more can I do?

- Trying to Stay Strong

Stay with your education, which is your own stepping stone to a better life.
Meanwhile, talk to your mom about ways you and she can prepare ahead, in case there’s another extreme fight and threats. Contact a woman’s shelter and explore where there’s safe accommodation for all of you.
Your mother needs your support, to keep her from thinking suicide is her only escape. Both you and she should keep the number of a distress centre handy, to turn to when things seem so bleak.
If possible, find a trusted leader in your father’s community to discuss your worries; hopefully, this person has some ideas to counter your father’s frustration/anger. But be assured of confidentiality before you give details.

My niece and her boyfriend are having a committment ceremony at a hall, to celebrate their life partnership, with a dinner reception following.
My brother, her father, is attending, but his wife refused, claiming they should marry in a church. She’s not allowing their children (ages 22, 16 and 13) to go.
It’s created unhappiness in my brother’s marriage, and amongst family members, especially my niece.
I feel my sister-in-law should be by my brother’s side, supporting him.

- Resolution Needed

This sounds like a family already divided, so everyone but the two couples involved, should butt out, despite your legitimate concerns.
Your sister-in-law’s stance has to do with her values, PLUS her existing relationship with your niece.
For the sake of the father, the two women could find solutions, if desired – example: the wife and children could attend the reception, only; your niece could assign them a special role at the party, etc.