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 "Momma's Boys"

Dear Duana, I’m tired of being called a Momma’s Boy. Yes, I do live with my mother at age 35, but only because I had some setbacks and needed to return to school. Women won’t cut me any slack, though. Why can’t they see that I’m improving myself and besides that, I’m nice to my mom, so I’ll be nice to them, too?

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Momma's Boys: The good, bad, and ugly of loving a man who adores his mother

Dear Duana, What do you know about the man whose controlling mother offers approval only when he makes Mom #1….the man who lets his mother openly complain about his wife, tells Mom everything, and then takes Mom’s contrary advice at the expense of his wife’s input on all of it—money, career, parenting? How does he wean himself from her approval? And what happens if he doesn’t?

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Pursuit, Part II: Whether and when to chase after Ms. Could Be Right

Wise Readers, is it time to give up? Or pursue with all you are? How does pursuit help men—not just women—know whether this is the right relationship? Here, some anguished men, and my attempts at answers. Any other suggestions? You know what to do: Read on!

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The Art Of Pursuit: How and why to chase Ms. Could Be Right

Dear Duana, Lanie and I had been out a few times when I saw her out with another guy….I have never felt this way about anyone before. If she’s at all interested, I want to make this work, but I can’t tell how she feels, and I don’t want to be a stalker. I’m confused and need your direction badly. Dear Kip, Sometimes, it seems like the difference between a stalker and a boyfriend is whether the woman wants the attention. You want to respect Lanie’s wishes; but is she giving you the go ahead, or the go away?

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