Marriage and Relationships

While a shared background might make things easier, it doesn’t mean that it is the only way.

You should, as a couple, forge out “we” time where you do things together such as discuss books, art, Torah topics, or whatever you both share interest in.

We can’t possibly know the mind of Hashem. We can’t even begin to speculate as to what was Hashem’s purpose in taking your friend’s husband at this time.

You are responsible for yourself, your actions, and your reactions. Your behavior before the date, during the date, and after the date are under your control.

In shidduchim, the potential for rejection exists for everyone. Those we want to date, those we ask to date, and those we are dating, all have the opportunity to say “no” should they choose to.

You must share in a tone that demonstrates derech eretz to your parents that their behavior in meddling with raising your children is not helpful and is inappropriate.

Maybe you can give me some words of nechama as I am frum and I know Hashem does everything for the good.

You envision someone like you at this stage of your life, and your parents likely hoped for someone who shares their original goals for you.

While your educational ideas sound interesting, I am not sure how a school would be able to implement this kind of curriculum.

To me, your question cannot be answered until we address your tone. Until then, this is less about your inability to see eye to eye with your parents than about your struggle to communicate properly with one another.

Perhaps you can call a family meeting and start with saying that although it is a privilege for you to be able to take care of your parents, things are becoming more difficult and you feel you need more help.

You believe you are stuck because no one new seems to exist in the comfortable/uncomfortable group you belong to. To remain as you are will then likely not yield new and productive results. It’s time to switch things up.

Before you allow yourself to continue on this unproductive and dangerous path, take a deep breath and refocus. Revisit the steps that got you to this point.

We had a great marriage. I want to stay with her and raise our children.

It appears through your letter that you may be overly critical of your loved ones. Perhaps you are distancing them as your daughter and friend had said.

Perhaps girls are conditioned to get married early and to create a family and a home so they present themselves with more enthusiasm and care.

It would be a good idea to seek professional help. If your husband refuses to go for help, it would still be helpful for you to seek your own professional help to assist you in navigating your husband’s anger.

Is he helping his family financially through a difficult time and has been forced to be careful?

Take time now to heal. If that is a week, a month, or more. Be kind to yourself and take care of yourself as you process this experience.

Congratulations! You have decided to start a business and feel pumped, but you realized that marketing yourself is a big role in getting clients.

I’m sure we can all agree that asking for a picture doesn’t stem from a deep desire to connect emotionally with someone prior to a date.

It is important to validate your daughter’s feelings and tell her that this behavior was unacceptable.

Once he understood the importance of respecting authority, he began to listen more appropriately to his Rebbeim, teachers, and the Menahel, understanding that they ultimately are seeking to help him succeed in life.

Leading however, with the notion that you are dating below your standards, or beneath your “criteria” is certainly something that your dates would feel.

Now that you are able to date again, you jumped in with enthusiasm, only to be reminded of your dissatisfying past experiences.

Some people may think it is cruel to not marry a boy because of their family background, but be forewarned: even if he is remorseful about the way he treats his mother, he will most certainly repeat it with you.

It can certainly be uncomfortable to mingle and connect with other guests solely to bolster and expand your shidduch reputation and reach.

Positive thinking has wonderful effects on your mind as well as your body. It lowers stress levels, which in turn affects every part of your being.

I always say that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. If we can all learn how to parent effectively, then this world would be a better place.

You wonder how to convince girls that you are in fact a good bet, without the promise of a glitzy future.