Does menopause have to spell the end of physical intimacy in a marriage? My wife is going through what our mother’s generation called “the change of life,” and as a result she’s almost never “in the mood.” She even complains that sex has become physically uncomfortable. Is she just making excuses? Is it all in …
Relationships & Marriage Q&As
How am I supposed to handle the sudden role changes that accompany my military spouse’s comings and goings? He is a wonderful husband and father, but we’re often apart for long periods of time. When he’s deployed, I have to take care of all aspects of our family’s life; when he returns, he takes the …
My husband has had a tendency to resort to violent behavior throughout our marriage. I feel trapped. At times I have even feared for my safety, but I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?
Should special consideration be given to an abuser with post-traumatic stress disorder? My spouse recently returned from a two-year deployment overseas. In the month or two since he’s been back I’ve noticed some disturbing changes in the way he treats me and the children. He’s sullen and withdrawn. On occasion we’ve been subjected to verbal …
How can we fix an unsatisfying sex life? We’ve been married for more than two years, and our sexual relationship has never been mutually satisfying. For some reason sex makes me feel “cheap” and “used.” My husband says I approach it as if it were a chore. That frustrates him and makes him angry. What …
My spouse of twenty years has decided that she is no longer a Christian. As a matter of fact, she now claims to be an atheist. This has upset and changed our entire relationship. I don’t understand what is going on with her or how to respond. Can you help me?
How can my spouse and I survive my recent job loss? Without my income I can’t see how we’re going to make ends meet. What will we do if I can’t find another employment opportunity?
What can I do to alter my bad habit of speaking harshly and critically to my wife and children? I desperately want to be a better husband and father, and I need to change my behavior. Can you help me start moving in that direction?
Is it healthy and appropriate for wives to take the lead when it comes to lovemaking? My husband and I enjoy a fulfilling and satisfying sex life, but that’s one thing I’ve wondered about: There are times when I desire physical intimacy, but I have doubts about whether it’s right for me to get things …
As a recently remarried stepparent, what can I do to make the transition to blended family life as smooth as possible for my children, my spouse’s kids, and everyone else concerned?
How can I help my mom prepare for my upcoming departure for college? I’ll be leaving in a few weeks, and I’m afraid she won’t be able to handle it when I go. Like any good mother, she’s very protective and worries about me. But it seems to me that her worrying is getting out …
How do I deal with a chronically late spouse? He’s late for everything except work. I know I’m not responsible for this behavior, but it makes me late too when we’re going somewhere together, and that reflects poorly on my reputation. More importantly, this constant tardiness inconveniences and is disrespectful to the people we invariably …
Now that we are committed to be married, why should we wait to have sexual intercourse? How can there be anything wrong with our love-making when we’ve already promised to spend our lives together?
Should my girlfriend and I get married before I graduate from the university? We’re both mature Christians and we’ve both made a commitment to sexual purity before marriage. We’ve been dating about five months, and after much prayer, we’ve decided to get married in two years. Our parents approve of our plans, but mine disagree …
How can I convince my spouse to seek help for possible depression? I have reason to believe that he’s struggling in this area, but he refuses to admit that this might be true or to take my concerns seriously. I’m not sure if it’s pride, fear, or something else that’s standing in the way, but …
Is there anything wrong with men being stay-at-home dads? I’m currently out of work, and since my wife earns a good salary we decided that it might be best if I simply stay home and take care of the kids for a while. It seemed like a good idea in the beginning, but lately I’ve …
When should a couple start thinking about purchasing a home? My spouse and I have been talking about this possibility. We both agree that we want to own our own home — eventually — but we’re not on the same page when it comes to whether we’re ready now. Do you have any recommendations?
How should I deal with my spouse’s unkind words, mind games, and put-downs? This has been a problem for most of our marriage. I’ve never been physically hurt, but the constant verbal and emotional abuse has made my life miserable. Some of my friends say I should get a divorce, but others say I should …
How do we keep my divorced parents from spoiling our wedding? I’m engaged, but as the wedding approaches my husband-to-be and I are beginning to fear that our big day may become an occasion for major family strife. My parents haven’t been on speaking terms for years. It’s a terribly awkward situation, and it’s filling …
How long should I wait before pursuing a young lady who has recently gone through a difficult break-up with a boyfriend? I realize that she’s in a place where she needs time to deal with the hurt and loss. At the same time, I don’t want to wait around too long and possibly lose out …
