askBitsandPieces
advice column ask question view feedback favorite columnist advicenators

Q: This is a repeated conflict between my husband and I. I was raised that whoever has the most means should pay; he was raised that the parent always pays, no matter what. We have two small children and a very busy lifestyle. My dad is retired (divorced and alone) and comes over for dinner often. Sometimes I cook, sometimes we get takeout, occasionally we go to Friendly's. My dad never chips in a dime or picks up after himself or offers to bring anything. This infuraties my husband to no end; he calls my dad a cheapskate and says he hates him. My mother and stepfather and my mother-in-law NEVER LET US PAY FOR ANYTHING. My Dad has no idea the conflict he causes in my marriage; we've been married for 8 years and have fought about this at least fifty times. WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK?
Was your dad used to being fed and cared for by your mom. This may not be about money, but about fulfilling an emotional need. If you can afford to treat the father in your life, then do it happily. Refuse to take part in fighting, and do not argue about it. Is your dad cheap in general? Is his personality stingy or does he offer any services or anything to help out that is not about the money? Is he a good grandpa and father? If he is a good man in general I would give him the respect he deserves. I don't care how either of you "were raised," because it has nothing to do with the choices the two of you make in your own life. Do what you feel good about doing and tell your husband that this is how you demonstrate affection toward the only other man in your life you will ever love. It is disrespectful and unloving to you when your husband throws this in your face or compares your dad to his parents or says he hates him! Your husband may be jealous of something here...to be that resentful. This is an issue that must be let go by both of you...since you are the one who may have the bigger understanding on this one, you must be the one to let it go first and not let him pull you into a fight. You can say that you understand how he feels and leave it at that. If your finances are truly suffering for feeding dad out, then make a compromise with your hubbie and just treat him to homecooked meals...of course, I would still take dad out for lunch or ice-cream once in awhile without hubbie.

Very well-thought out piece of advice; thank you!

bio
BitsandPieces
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable. To say something you value deeply to another and to have him or her value it equally by listening to it carefully and apppreciatively is the most universal way of exchanging social interest or demonstrating affection." David Augsburger, CARING ENOUGH TO HEAR AND BE HEARD.


All sincere persons will be given thoughtful examination and reply. Please be specific about your situation as it applies to your question, the applicable information and facts necessary for me to properly assess your situation and give you the benefit of my knowledge and experience, which includes: experience/education with mentoring, relationship study, self help, spirituality, poetry, literature, philosophy, psychology, color theory, teaching, parenting, and debate that will be used to your advantage. I am concerned with offering an objective and realistic perspective more than ratings, because this will help YOU. Artificial sweetness is found in diet soda, not in my advice. If you feel that I did not understand your question or need more specifics to help, please let me know, but while all truth is subjective, questioners should be mature enough to hear answers not necessarily agreed with. If you are only looking for someone to tell you just what you want to hear, then you may not be ready for my advice. I believe in personal responsibility, self and other awareness and your power and ability to recreate and redirect your own life. All our misery and joy begins and ends within ourselves, but our willingness to be open can bring the positive or negative energy we seek. If you or someone you know is open to positive help, the resources and caring individuals needed are available now.

http://www.coolnurse.com/

http://www.4woman.gov/violence/

http://www.childhelpusa.org/about/programs-and-services/childhelp-national-child-abuse-hotline-1-800-4-a-child

drug/alcohol abuse help go here: http://www.4drugabuse.com/addiction-treatment.html

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/1800-273-TALK(8255)
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With over 120 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential. -----------------------------------

http://www.kidscrisis.com/

http://www.teenadviceonline.org/gethelp/numbers.html

You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, 24 hours a day, free & confidential. 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

For info. on birth control etc.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

The Girls and Boys Town National Hotline is the only hotline that children and parents can call with any problem at any time:
Open 24-hours a day, every day at 1-800-448-3000

Spanish-speaking counselors available; translation services for 100+ languages

TTY line available for the hearing-impaired at 1-800-448-1833

Counselors can help find services and agencies in the callers' local community

Help at the End of the Line
Callers talk to highly-trained, professional counselors who listen and give "right now" answers. They're sympathetic people who have expertise dealing with these and other problems:

depression

suicide

running away

parenting problems

relationship concerns

physical, sexual, and emotional abuse

chemical dependency

mental health

anger

aggressive behavior

Toll Free
Operated by Father Flanagan's Boys' Home, hotline services are free of charge to every parent and child in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Canada.

Toll-Free: 1-800-448-3000

http://www.sex-ed101.org/links.html

http://www.anorexicweb.com/anorexicweb.html

Report Child Abuse
Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-4-A-CHILD TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD



--------------------------------
All our motivations stem from two: Love or Fear. When in turmoil or indecision, ask yourself from which of these you are acting. If you want an honest response outside of yourself, you need to first be honest within yourself. Bless you on your journey!

Info
Website:
E-mail:
Gender:
Female

Location:
California

Occupation:
Writer, Mentor

Age:
37

Member Since:
August 9, 2006

Answers:
1106

Last Update:
September 17, 2008

Visitors:
201822

Main Categories:





Favorite Columnists















layout by Adam Particka

<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>

eXTReMe Tracker