What was the real reason the friend went in?

Women are supposed to have it all—a prosperous career, a family, a gorgeous home, and everything in between. In the story that follows, a successful manager of cyber security engineering, mother of one, prepares to become a mother again in the near future. OP is a woman who appears to have everything: a wonderful spouse, a successful career, a stunning child, plus a baby on the way. For OP, all seems to be going as planned, theoretically speaking. However, now that she is expecting her second c…

It is never simple to prepare for a baby. Before the baby arrives, there are a ton of things that need to be done. But what would happen if, as luck would have it, you were laid off just when you needed the money most? When you are completely unprepared and your wife is having her first child. The story that follows is an account of a soon-to-be father who was recently laid off. At the worst possible time, OP loses his work; his wife is pregnant, and he lacks the funds to assist with the baby's…

For ladies with high dating standards.

Thank you, next

Every marriage navigates life in a different way. Some stay at home with the kids while the other works, some hire a nanny, and some, well, they choose not to have babies in the first place. The story below is of a confused husband who truly believed he was being helpful. OP works to provide for his family, while his wife stays at home to look after the children. But because of a severe back problem, OP is confined to his home and is unable to work. He has decided that, while he is at home prep…

An inborn, uncontrollable response to another person is attraction. But what if the once-steamy attraction vanishes without warning? The story that follows centers on a frustrated wife whose partner has lost interest in her. For context, OP has been married to her spouse for six years. Four years ago, they welcomed their first child together. OP gained a lot of weight during and after her pregnancy, and giving birth had a detrimental effect on her health. For want of a better phrase, OP let her…

The individuals you select to surround yourself with are your closest companions. No one forces you to stay in a relationship with a person you dislike. However, what happens if the relationship is obviously one-sided? Do you try to repair the relationship that you cared so much about, or do you give up and let it go? The bride in the following story is upset and wants to know if her response is appropriate. To put things in perspective, OP has worked extremely hard to organize her wedding and…

Think before you invite someone to live with you.

A wedding commemorates the union of two individuals in the sacred bond of matrimony. Weddings also celebrate the union of two families. What would happen, though, if the families were at odds? Better yet, your prospective mother-in-law feels that you are 'stealing' her son from her... Well, the story below is an account of a frustrated bride-to-be. OP is ecstatic to be getting married to the man of her dreams. At first, everything appeared to be going smoothly, but when the monster-in-law—sorry…

Stepping in and taking on the role of stepmother could result in two distinct results. A happy blended family with strong bonds amongst all of the members would be the ideal result. On the opposite end, the second scenario can entail a disagreement about the appropriate level of parental authority between the biological parent and the stepparent. The story that follows is that of a frustrated wife who had, up until this point, happily welcomed her husband's daughter into her home. Since getting…

When prince charming becomes patient zero.

Dirty dances and dirty glances.

Time to go!

Some ladies have fantasies of an extravagant wedding complete with fireworks, a delicious red velvet cake, a stunning white gown, and doves soaring overhead while the couple exchanges vows. However, other girls, are more realistic. They would want a small, modest wedding with only their closest friends in order to save money for life after the big day. The story that follows is an account of a fiance who is sick and tired of his future mother-in-law. OP is a doctor with a stable salary, but his…

Sleighing it together.