Q&A from "Stepmarriages: Keeping love alive when they're somebody else's kids"

Wise Readers, Bioparents and biokids need alone-time—but why might stepdad/stepkid alone-time be dangerous? What if you know you don’t like the kid—should you get married anyway? Is there an evolved psychology behind Evil Stepmothering? How long does it take to make Steps feel like Family? And how many baggages can you carry? Read on!

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Stepmarriages: Keeping love alive when they’re somebody else’s kids

Dear Duana, I love my wife, but we argue about how to discipline her kids; she often sides with them in front of me, and they’ve learned I have no traction. I feel like I’m last in Anna’s affections and priorities. I don’t want to give up—but I won’t live with brats who’ve got their mom’s backing. Dear Scott, Just two years into a stepmarriage, most men are no longer supervising, disciplining or interacting much at all with the stepkids. And the divorce rate is literally 50% higher for remarriages with kids. Don’t give up; step up. Here’s how to save your marriage—and what to avoid.

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Q&A from "Conquering Confusion: He loves her? He loves her not."

Wise Readers, Why, oh why, would a man introduce a woman to his parents—without meaning Commitment by it? If that’s not a good sign of Commitment, what is? If Commitmentphobes don’t want commitment, why don’t they just say so? And why does Time move so differently for men and women? Read on!

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Conquering Confusion: He loves her? He loves her not.

Dear Duana, I’ve been dating Cal for half a year, during which he’s introduced me to his parents and taken me on weekends with his friends. He hasn’t called me his girlfriend, hasn’t said he loves me and hasn’t asked to be exclusive, but his friends said Cal talks about me more than anyone else he’s dated. We have great sex, but there’s never a mention of the future. I can’t stand the confusion anymore…. Dear Julie, There’s a gold standard for confusion, and it’s this: inconsistent words and actions. Be warned: Confusion is your cue to open your eyes and find out what’s going on, because *something* is wrong. But what? Here’s how to tell whether he Loves You…or Loves You Not…

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How To Forgive *Yourself* (when you really screwed up/around)

Dear Duana, I’m living with horrible guilt for an affair that ended four years ago. My wife forgave me, but I still feel like scum. Please tell me how to forgive myself. And please don’t hate me. Dear Ryan,I don’t hate you—not at all. But I wonder if you do, and whether we should both hate guilt. How do you cast that burden aside and move forward with a clean heart?

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