Jeanne Phillips

DEAR ABBY: When I found out a few months ago that my husband of 24 years had been having affairs with several men, it devastated me. I have gone to counseling to try to deal with the pain and depression I now suffer from. He’s in counseling for himself as well, and we are also in couple’s counseling to see if our marriage is salvageable. He tells me it has nothing to do with me but more about his need for attention, and that he didn’t feel it was cheating because it wasn’t with another woman. The problem is, he did this for SIX YEARS.
I’m no longer in love with him — and yes, I did love him more than life itself. I feel I need to end our marriage because I will never be able to trust him again, and I will never be enough for him. I’m struggling with guilt about it. He cries when I tell him I’m done, which makes me feel awful. How can I make it easier for both of us? — DEVASTATED BEYOND WORDS
DEAR DEVASTATED: That may not be possible, and YOU are not to blame for what happened. Once you accept that fact, you may begin to feel less guilty. Married men do not engage in affairs with other men because they aren’t getting enough attention from their wives. Whether your husband is a deeply closeted gay man or bisexual is anyone’s guess. But he chose to cheat on you. Bisexual people (of both sexes) in committed relationships remain faithful — which he wasn’t for six years. Keep that in mind when you tell him (again) that you are done, then hand him some tissues and call your lawyer.
** ** **
DEAR ABBY: My oldest daughter, “Heather,” has started her senior year of high school. She’s often angry and confrontational with my husband and me. We’ve learned to remain neutral and not react to her attempts to pick fights. However, we have two younger daughters, 15 and 9. We found out that Heather often swears at them and calls them the B-word — and sometimes worse. Unfortunately, it’s something I hear about long after it’s happened. My younger girls have witnessed her swear at us, too. Heather will be 18 in a couple of weeks, and, frankly, we’re ready for her to move out once she gets her diploma. Until then, how would you handle this situation? — TIRED OF THE LANGUAGE
DEAR TIRED: Talk to your daughter! WHY is she angry and disrespectful to you and your husband? Does Heather have emotional issues? If so, what has caused them? Once you have some answers, you and your husband can get your daughter professional help if she needs it. In the meantime, tell Heather you don’t like the attitude she has been displaying and you want it stopped immediately. Make plain that if her bad behavior continues, there will be “consequences,” and then, if it does, follow through.
** ** **
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
** ** **
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)
(EDITORS: If you have editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker, chooker@amuniversal.com.)
COPYRIGHT 2021 ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION