Yesterday, my wife of 20 years admitted she hasn't loved me for many years; we have two teenage sons. Sex has been non-existent for several years. Communication’s a problem on her part, and, on mine as well.
She's opposed to counselling, and prefers that I simply leave her the house. I could consider it, but I'm thinking of the boys. Both don't understand what their parent’ problems are about.
I'm trying to deal with the blow and change my relationship with the one I loved for so many years. My wife suggested she’d love me as a friend ... but it's hard to make that switch. Neither of us wants to end up in an apartment but we can't afford two houses.
Like the Gordon Lightfoot song says, I'm “the ghost she doesn't see.”
- Invisible
You’re not seen, because you don’t speak up and get heard. You two seem to have just drifted apart without stopping to notice or even trying to re-connect.
This isn’t about where you live from now on, but how you live. Tell her you love her and would like another try. If there’s no chance, at least tell your sons what’s going on, so they don’t end up as reticent and helpless-seeming in their relationships.
Then, get to a lawyer to work out an equitable separation. And get to counselling. Or you’ll remain unseen the next time, too.
I decided to get a place with my boyfriend and his son, 6, then got cold feet but he said it was too late; he had given his notice and had to move.
My dad lived alone in a 4-bedroom house and was having difficulty making ends meet, so we moved in with him. Since, my dad has been unemployed, hasn’t contributed to anything and it’s sometimes led to me not eating (severe food sensitivities due to my pregnancy, and the food I can eat is gone when I get home).
All my money goes to groceries, gas and preparing for baby stuff. I have only one month left of work and my boyfriend has just begun to work full-time. We’re both fed up with never having enough money although we do more than our fair share around here.
My sister and her baby come for week-long visits, six times this year so far – she spends her welfare money on her boyfriend and we end up buying all her food here.
How do I break it to my family that we cannot afford to support them anymore? I already lost one baby this year and this is a risky pregnancy.
- Fed Up
There’s family freeloading going on here - by everyone. You may be doing your share around the house, but you’re still taking advantage of your father’s home. The logical solution won’t be as appealing as “sharing” someone else’s spacious accommodation, but it’s a far better way to live as in dependent adults, relying on your own resources.
Now that your guy is working, move wherever you can. If Dad can’t afford the house expenses, he can downsize by selling the house and buying a place he can manage and where adult children can visit but NOT move in.
Sis will learn to rely on herself more (and choose a boyfriend who contributes) if she hasn’t got you and Dad to lean on. At that point, you can all be as generous as you can afford, towards each other, with occasional, limited family get-togethers.
I’m a sensitive person and sick of it; when someone says something to me that might be considered mean or cruel, even in joking fashion, I feel hurt.
Example: a friend said he wouldn't let me drive his car because I'm a horrible driver. I’ve never even gotten a ticket! I got defensive and brought up his speeding tickets. I probably over-reacted.
Any suggestions for me to help combat these feelings when people are “pushing my buttons?”
- Super-sensitive
There’s sensitive … and then there’s standing up for yourself. If comments are mean, you have every right to defend yourself verbally, and/or lessen contact with that person.
If joking comments push your buttons – but are NOT mean – joke back and laugh it off. Practice this with close people. If you basically trust and like someone, you can more easily accept the comment is a tease and not an insult.
Tip of the day:
When two people stay silent while they drift apart, they lose finding the way back.