A friend of mine refuses to address his anxiety issues. I don't want to lose him as a friend, but also don't know how much more I can take. Please help. [more inside]
posted by stedman15 on May 28, 2013 - 15 answers

After 2 years of marriage my wife (age 33) still doesn't want to have children while I (age 35) desperately want ones. Before marriage we have discussed it and she said that she would like to wait "for about a year" before trying for a baby. I agreed. Now she is saying that she isn't ready yet, and won't be ready for another 2 years. I thought that we have an agreement, but I was mistaken. Is it at all possible that she will change her mind, or postponing children for more years is just a stalling tactic on her behalf? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 5, 2013 - 64 answers

AdviceFilter: What life experiences (or fun things) should my partner and I make time for, before having a baby? [more inside]
posted by amoeba on Sep 19, 2012 - 19 answers

Our marriage is crumbling, and it's taking me with it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 13, 2012 - 29 answers

I'm on the brink of proposing to my Catholic, Indian-American girlfriend. However, I come from a long line of athiests/humanists and I am starting to worry about how we will balance our backgrounds in raising our children. [more inside]
posted by SpicyMustard on Jun 15, 2012 - 49 answers

My friend is in extreme crisis after his wife of seven years left him completely out of the blue. I'm not sure what to do to help him. Relevant details inside. [more inside]
posted by ronofthedead on Jun 8, 2012 - 19 answers

I was the anonymous asker of this question. Things have moved on a little bit since then. Looking for a way forward. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 16, 2011 - 90 answers

My relationship with 'the one' ended about 6 months ago. We were together 5 years and I'm now 32. As a woman, I'd like to get married and have children sometime in the next decade. I just feel like it's never gonna happen. Any encouraging words from those that found love after their prime 'love-finding' years? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 21, 2011 - 46 answers

How can I help my wife want sex? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 9, 2010 - 39 answers

I need to figure out whether or not I want kids, before I accept my boyfriend's proposal. I think that I don't, but I have almost no experience with them. What are some places that might allow me (a stranger with no babysitting experience) to spend time with young kids, so I can start to make up my mind? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 14, 2010 - 46 answers

My friend has asked me to have a conversation with her about whether she should leave her husband for a new man. I have a strong view: should I tell her and can I do so in a way that is constructive? What else should I consider about the content and format of what I say? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 3, 2010 - 27 answers

Should I try to breed out the parts of me I don't like? Or is it ok to make super neurotic kids? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 17, 2009 - 19 answers

Marriage Madness: Is it better to be single or to waste away in a bad marriage? (long, but uniquely personal details inside) [more inside]
posted by brandnew on Feb 16, 2009 - 61 answers

Is it true that 3 days before and 3 days after a woman's period, there is sort of like a grace period, where the woman won't get pregnant? [more inside]
posted by minsid on Dec 29, 2008 - 21 answers

I have two toddlers and a wife with severe postpartum depression that went untreated for two years, all of whom I love very much. However, I think I'm starting to crack, and am not thrilled about my children potentially having two emotionally unstable parents. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 21, 2008 - 29 answers

I've been with the SO for over 5 years. We've been engaged for about 3 of those. Now, the time is looming where I have to make a very real decision. Is now the time to get married or not? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 9, 2008 - 13 answers

I'm at University and far removed from home geographically. My parents are planning on getting divorced soon and anyone semi-observant would've seen this coming years and years ago. Both wonderful people, both wholly incompatible. So what can I/they do for my adorably clueless, naive, 8-year old sister who still has no idea? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 4, 2007 - 14 answers

My husband is impatient towards our 4 year old. Will he change or is our marriage doomed? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 20, 2007 - 31 answers

My boyfriend has recently been diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Alone this is something to come to terms with but on top of this i have just found out he has been lying to me, which has made me question my whole relationship and the very foundations it has been built on. I have no idea what i should do... [more inside]
posted by rainbow_2006 on Feb 14, 2007 - 79 answers

I have been in a troubled marriage for so long, I have lost perspective on how bad it may or may not be. Outside opinions welcome. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 1, 2006 - 62 answers

Why did you choose to have a baby? I'm trying to get inside the mindset of people who are older than I am and in a very different part of their life. If you're someone who has always planned on having a family, why did you always plan on it and how do you feel about it now? If you never planned on a family and changed your mind, what made you change your mind? If you never planned on children but one come along by accident, how do you feel about them now? I'm looking for personal stories/anecdotes/opinions about it, not so much statistics or figures.
posted by twirlypen on Dec 26, 2005 - 33 answers