Parents playing 'marriage in the middle'
BY AMY DICKINSON
Monday, February 04, 2013
2/04/13 at 4:38 AM
Dear Amy: I am in seventh grade. I think that my parents' marriage is happy, but they have problems. I think these problems are mostly my mother's fault, because she is constantly accusing my dad of doing little things wrong. She never actually confronts him about it but complains to me, which makes me feel like she is putting me in an unfair position.
She also claims that he shuts her out of conversations and shoots her down when she tries to talk, but I frankly feel that he is just defending his argument and that she is being extra-sensitive on purpose. Most of the time they get along OK, but they never kiss (at least not in front of me) and they don't really act like they are in love anymore.
I think they need marriage counseling, but I don't know how to talk to them about it. This has become very painful for me. How can I persuade them to go to marriage counseling?
I am very scared that they will become very unhappy with each other, and eventually get a divorce. - Parents with Problems
Dear Problems: Your parents may have marital problems, but one big mistake they're making is to involve you in their personal, adult relationship.
You should not be expected to take sides in their disputes or mediate their marriage.
You are obviously bright and perceptive. I can understand why they trust your point of view, but they may not realize the extent to which they violate your right to be a kid. Tell them both: "I worry so much when you don't get along. I wish you would not involve me in your arguments. And I really wish you would see a professional because I don't know how to help you, and I'm worried you'll get divorced."
I hope they will follow your excellent instinct and seek marriage counseling.
Dear Amy: "Worried Husband" asked if it was OK to have a "secret friendship" with another woman.
Friendships help us get through life. One problem with our understanding of marriage is that it should be the "be-all and end-all" relationship. That is simply impossible. It's this wrong-headed belief that drives us to feel as if we must have "secret" relationships.
If we can learn to develop honest and mature relationships with our spouses (and our friends), we avoid the destructive baggage that comes with keeping secrets. Your spouse doesn't need to know every single thing that you do or say or feel, but she/he does have the right to not be lied to.
Secrets, in the sense of this situation, are lies. - Sally
Dear Sally: I agree. Thank you.
Send questions via email to Amy Dickinson at askamy@tribune.com or by mail to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
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