Such as the idea a couple can’t get married until a man proffers a rock that the rock must be of a certain size and cost so that all her friends are suitably rocked back, etc. I’m against all the baggage that goes with it. Not that I am against someone getting a lovely rock that symbolizes a couple’s commitment. I feel that my moving will be good for us all.Ī: I’m an anti-engagement-ring person. Even though I continued therapy after my maternity leave finally ended, I was still unable to develop positive feelings for her. The meds I took only numbed my dark thoughts toward the baby. I wanted to mention that I did get help and a diagnosis of post-partum depression after our daughter was born. He’s upset, but our marriage has been shaky for so long that I think we’re both relieved. My husband is a big fan of yours, and he correctly guessed who had written that question. Q. Last Week’s “Want to Go Alone”: I’m the woman from last week’s chat who took a promotion and transfer without telling my husband. Smile and say, “It’s good to see you, too. Please don’t tell Interpol.” Surely, if your hometown is that small these dodos already know you and your husband are Sarah- and Abraham-aged parents. My husband and I were on vacation in France, saw this bunch on the playground and took them. Your son should see a male therapist-he needs intervention with someone who can be a trusted, calm, helpful adult.Ī: How about, “Not our grandkids, they’re our great-grandkids.” Or, “Yes, they’re from another country. Say you know you aren’t good at talking about these things, and neither is his father, so you’re going to find him someone who is. You need to apologize to your son, tell him this is a very hard conversation for you two to have, but you are concerned that he is not understanding the boundaries between public and private behavior. Lashing out at a 14-year-old because he’s displaying troubling symptoms does not speak well for you, Mom. It’s also not normal that you are undone at the thought of having a serious talk with your boy, and that there’s something so wrong with your ex (or your son’s relationship with him) that the idea of a father-son talk is worse. Playing sports is tense, but what’s not normal is for him to forfeit the game in order to relieve some of the pressure. The evidence in the sheets and towels is normal, and I don’t want to know what your son is doing to the groceries.
I am losing sleep and I don’t want to succumb to letting his father deal with this, but what should I do?Ī: First, watch the coming of age movie, The Squid and the Whale, then read Portnoy’s Complaintfor some background on teenage boys wanking their way through these difficult years. Am I overreacting? I know I have to talk about this with him in a calm setting, but I always find the thought of this type of discussion horrifying. I lashed out at him when about this and things have been awkward around the house this weekend. It turns out he has been intentionally going to the penalty box to pleasure himself. I have noticed my son has been taking a lot of penalties this season. I know this is normal, but how much is too much? Things escalated last week when his hockey coach called me in for a conference. I have seen evidence in his bedroom, the laundry room, and the kitchen.
I knew this time was coming but now I fear I am close to my wit’s end. Q. My Son Can’t Keep His Hands Off Himself: I am a single mother with a 14-year-old son. It’s wonderful that Christopher Columbus set sail six centuries ago so that one day we could get mattresses on sale in his honor. ( Sign up here to get Dear Prudence delivered to your inbox each week. An edited transcript of the chat is below. Emily Yoffe, aka Dear Prudence, is online weekly to chat live with readers.