Feeling Alone in Marriage: How to Reconnect With Your Spouse
Dear Penina, I’m reaching out in desperation, hoping you can offer some guidance. My marriage feels like it’s floundering, and I constantly feel misunderstood by my husband. He’s become complacent, leaving me feeling alone, unprioritized, and unheard. Many of our arguments stem from fundamental disagreements about parenting and household cleanliness. For example, I want to […]
Is It Time to Set Boundaries With Our Adult Children?
Dear Penina, I’m at my wit’s end with my husband and our adult children. We both have good jobs and should be looking forward to a nice retirement soon, but there’s a significant issue that we don’t see eye to eye on, and the unresolved fights are really starting to linger for me. I feel […]
Estranged From My Children After Divorce: What Can I Do?
Dear Penina, I’m a divorced dad in my 60s, and my heart aches over the strained relationship I have with my adult children. When their mother and I divorced in their teens, it was anything but amicable. We focused all of our resources fighting about the kids and not paying too much attention to them […]
When Marriage Feels Like a Tug-of-War Between Spouse and Family
Dear Penina, I’m desperately seeking guidance. My wife and I have been married for four years. While dating, she was mostly easygoing, but since marriage she’s become judgmental, entitled, and critical, which takes a serious toll on our relationship. The most painful issue is her relationship with my mother. Over minor disagreements and misunderstandings, my […]
We’re Drifting Apart, Can Our Marriage Be Saved?
Dear Penina, I’m reaching out in desperation, hoping you can offer some guidance. My marriage feels like it’s floundering, and I constantly feel misunderstood by my husband. He’s become complacent, leaving me feeling alone, unprioritized, and unheard. Many of our arguments stem from fundamental disagreements about parenting and household cleanliness. For example, I want to […]
How Can I Heal a Marriage When I’m the Only One Trying?
Dear Penina, My marriage is okay, but I believe it could be a lot better. We have days that are decent and even good days. However, we also have some pretty bad days, and the pain from those days always affects our relationship. I’m unable to talk through or work out issues with my husband. […]
When Grandma Has Opinions: Setting Gentle Boundaries for Wedding Planning Peace
Dear Penina, My oldest daughter’s wedding is coming up, and it is a very special time for our family. There is one issue that I am having a lot of trouble dealing with. Sometimes my parents don’t know the appropriate boundaries and don’t respect our need for time with our kids without them. My mom, […]
Family Tensions, a Milestone and an Impossible Choice
Dear Penina, I really enjoy your column and hope you can help me. I have a very difficult question, and I fear there’s no good answer. My relationship with my younger brother has been tenuous for years, since our parents’ messy divorce. He has mental health issues and refuses to get help. As a result, […]
How to Set Boundaries With Compassion When Friendships Become a Burden
Dear Penina, I’m struggling with a friendship that has left me feeling trapped and anxious. My friend considers me her best friend, and I don’t feel the same way. I have a few other close friends whom I really enjoy and appreciate, but this particular friend drains me emotionally. I am a very busy working […]
Harmonizing In-Law Relationships and Spousal Dynamics
Dear Penina, We have been married for six years and have two young children. Given community and family norms, it is expected that we spend Pesach with our parents—the first days at one set and the second days at the other. Going away for Pesach and other Yamim Tovim puts a real stress on our […]