Relationships are like bank accounts. Like bank accounts, in relationships you make deposits, withdrawals, and check your balance. Friends and lovers and couples would be healthier if they applied this principle to their relationships. It’s not hard. It’s like banking. Sometimes money goes in, and sometimes it goes out, and sometimes things are just status quo, you […]
Family
Abusive Father
Dear Zanny,Hi, this is Annie from California. I have a very abusive relationship with my father. We usually don’t see middle ground on many things, but the worst thing is that whenever I disagree and provoke his temper, he explodes and abuses me either verbally and/or physically. My dad has called me hopeless, futile, pathetic, […]
Holding Your Partner Emotional Hostage
Stephanie from Louisiana called and asked how she can “get over” her spouses previous poor financial decisions that they finally are recovering from. Stephanie can’t “let go” of her spouses mistake and admits she constantly monitors his every move and reminds him of his prior poor judgment. How can she move forward? Dear Stephanie: When […]
Substance Abuse Recovery and Your Partner
By: Suzanne Maiden When your partner is in recovery for substance abuse for either drugs or alcohol or both, the supporting partner should abstain. Period. I know many couples who have a partner in recovery and continue to use, specifically alcohol. I hear, “Why should I stop drinking? I’m not the alcoholic?” I do not […]
Jealous Spouse
Dear Zanny: So I woke up at 6:30 this morning to find my husband at the kitchen table already working. It is rare for him to be up this early, and even rarer for him to be working so soon, so I asked him what’s up. He says he’s been up since 5 AM because […]
Do You Tell Your Friend about Their Kid’s High Risk Behaviors?
Marion from WI left a vm. Marion was told by a trusted friend that another friend’s kid is involved in high risk behaviors. What should she do? If you want to listen to my podcast, click to the left of this screen and play. Dear Marion: 1) Ask yourself what is your goal? Once you […]