Lifestyle

A couple struggle with family’s odd estrangement

Dear Abby: I’m a gay man. My husband and I have been together almost nine years, married less than one. Seven years ago, my mother-in-law decided I was no longer “allowed” to speak to her or her family. When my husband asked her why, she was unable to give him a clear answer but insists it has nothing to do with us being gay. Anytime my husband mentions my name or the life we have together, she changes the subject. I offered to write her a letter, but my husband doesn’t think it would be a good idea. He used to be close to his family, but with each passing year the relationship becomes more strained. My mother-in-law followed a similar pattern when my brother-in-law married his wife. When they had their first child, my MIL’s behavior did a 180 and she welcomed them into the family. Now that we’re married, my husband and I have begun the process of adopting from the foster care system. I assume my in-laws will want a relationship with their grandchildren, but I don’t know if I can let go of how they’ve treated us. The strain has been especially tough on my husband. At times, it almost broke us up. I would value a relationship with my in-laws, but as things stand, I wouldn’t want them around our future children. What can we do to improve this relationship before kids come into our lives?

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Complications of rediscovered love are nothing to laugh at

Dear Abby: After being divorced for 18 years, I have reconnected with my high school sweetheart. She got in touch with me, and we started talking and seeing each other. She says she loves me, and to be honest, I love her, too. The problem is, she’s married. She has grown kids and is raising her 8-year-old granddaughter. She says she’s sorry about what happened to us years ago and that she and her husband have had nothing in common for the past 16 years. They sleep in separate rooms and don’t do anything as a family.

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Woman’s abrupt admittance to psychiatric hospital stuns friend

Dear Dr. Roach: I know a successful career woman, a psychologist working for the school board and a private practice as well, who has recently been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. She has never had an addiction to any type of drugs or alcohol, has never been suicidal or even shown any suicidal ideation, has diligently put together a lucrative retirement package for herself, has never been diagnosed with any mental health afflictions or had any personality-altering brain injuries.

Read MoreWoman’s abrupt admittance to psychiatric hospital stuns friend