CAN THIS MARRIAGE BE SAVED?
Ladies Home Journal On-Line
NAT'S TURN, Part One:
“Can you believe Joan says I'm her number one priority?” yelled Nat, forty-two, a large man with a booming voice. Number seventeen is more like it.
She’s right about one thing, though; I am angry, and frankly, it’s mostly Joan’s fault. She’s a good, loving woman, but she has no room for anyone but the kids. I’m a stranger in my own home, but I still do care.
Just because I work long hours doesn’t mean I don’t care about my family and don’t want to know what they’re up to. I ask about what’s happening, and she tells me,`Oh, nothing.’ I ask why she did something, and she either gives me a blank look or she gets mad at me for daring to question her. I’m not interrogating her; I just want to know. I’m the father, remember?
She never has any time for me, either. If she’s not busy with one of our own children, it’s her sister, her brother or her nephews and nieces. I love them all, but enough is enough.”
DR. EVELYN MOSCHETTA:
Most couples march into our offices blaming each other and these two are no exception. Each feels the other is responsible for the rifts in their relationship. Joan blames Nat for being hostile and angry. Nat blames her for being cold and unaffectionate. Each is right--but their relationship is wrong.
DR. PAUL MOSCHETTA:
What they don’t realize is that righteous blaming creates a dead-end relationship. These two need to start taking responsibility for their own shortcomings. They’d feel closer if they could view difficulties as problems to be solved rather than as fault residing in their partner.
Joan's Turn, Part Two
Joan's Turn, Part Three
Joan's Turn, Part Four
Joan's Turn, Part Five
Joan's Turn, Part Six
Joan's Turn, Part Seven
Nat's Turn, Part One
Nat's Turn, Part Two
Nat's Turn, Part Three
Drs. Moschetta's Comments
