lavin
-
Valentine’s Day? Bah, humbug!
Does anybody over 16 really look forward to Valentine’s Day? Do overpriced roses really say, “I love you”? Does a Hallmark card that costs more than a gallon of milk really make up for bad behavior? If the Grinch stole Christmas, then I’m happy to …Read More
-
A Band-Aid, not a cure, for abuse
‘Torn” wrote in several years ago asking for advice. She’d been married for seven years and had a two-year-old and another on the way. She said her family had a very hard year. Both she and her husband changed jobs, and they also moved. “The …Read More
-
Is she making everything up?
Given Up was the mother of two handicapped children. Her husband didn’t spend quality time with them, hounded her for sex, snooped through her things and wouldn’t turn the thermostat above 65 degrees. He didn’t even want to take her to the hospital after she …Read More
Search recent columns
More Columns
He committed not to commit
DEAR CHERYL: My friend is suffering from a broken heart. She won’t listen to anything I say, but she reads your column regularly and may listen to you. She went back to her small town for her 25th high school reunion and reconnected with a …
Affair destined to go nowhere
Diane, you’ll remember, is the woman who had an affair with Eddie while he was married. It ended. Then his wife died. Eddie wanted to continue the affair; Diane wanted a relationship. When it was clear she was never going to be any more than …
Make plans; it’s time to leave
DEAR CHERYL: I’m hounded by my husband to have “sex” with him, not to make love with him. When we go for a night out, something is always expected of me. And we never go out unless he has a coupon for a free meal …
Once and always a booty call
Diane’s affair with Eddie began shortly after he got married. It was “on and off in the beginning.” “We were always attracted to each other, and the relationship developed into an easy friendship.” As time went on, Diane became a born-again Christian and the relationship …
Think you’re OK? Your body knows better
We usually think of post-traumatic stress disorder as something that afflicts soldiers after combat. But they’re not the only ones who suffer. Christine was 12 and in a tree fort with three boys for what she thought would be innocent necking. “I didn’t realize what …
If it seems to good to be true ...
Maria is 33 years old. She says she’s had her heart stomped on a couple of times, but she’s always been strong and moved on. “I was content to remain single and focus on my daughter and myself.” And then she ran into Manny. He …
Depression often hits epileptics
We recently heard from Confused in Colorado who said his epilepsy controlled his life to the extent that he felt he could never marry. I told him to stop listening to negative people, join a support group for people with epilepsy who want to exchange …
For 8 years, no sex, just excuses
DEAR CHERYL: My husband and I had an exciting, lust-filled courtship, but we’ve had an almost completely sexless marriage for over eight years, and it’s killing me. We went to a sex therapist early in our marriage, but my husband didn’t even attempt any of …
The young and the sexless
If you’ve been reading the column lately, you might think that every husband in America has been doing without. I’ve been getting letters from men who say their wives refuse to have sex. These guys say they sat out the eight years of the Bush …
They should have made sweet music; instead, date ended on sour note
CHERYL LAVIN: She finally found a man who loved classical music as much as she did.
Real-life tales can inspire others
If there’s one thing victims of abuse would like to tell other victims it’s: Report the crime. If you don’t, you may regret it. MARLA: I’m an abuse survivor. I didn’t report my attack for all the same reasons as other women and men. But …
Soul mate? I think not!
Call me crazy, but if it seems that her kids hate you, she lies and cheats, and you can’t get along, then she’s not your soul mate. But I digress.
Stabbing was the dealbreaker
After 15 years of abuse, Courtney had enough when Duncan stabbed her five times with a knife and almost cut off her thumb. The next time she knew he’d be away from home for a while, she left. “I packed up my kids and my …
Marital abuse on the record
Would you like to meet Courtney and Duncan? You can. At least, you can hear them. During the last six months of their 15-year relationship, Courtney recorded Duncan’s verbal abuse. She posted it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqW2JxmlBgE. Their story begins when Courtney was just 17. Duncan was …
When they knew it was all over
This is how it is. You’re in a relationship. It’s not great. In fact, it’s lousy, but you put up with it. Maybe you think it will get better; maybe the thought of change is even worse than the status quo, or maybe you’re waiting …
He wants intimacy and much more
DEAR CHERYL: I’ve been married for 15 years to the woman I love. We have two beautiful, respectful young children. We agree on most issues, argue without screaming and have a beautiful home, good careers and a sound plan for our future. We enjoy each …
Lessons learned from jerks and cheaters
Today, readers respond to recent columns: This regards Heart Sick, who wanted to contact his Muslim girlfriend who was married and living in Jordan with her husband and child. CHICAGO DOC: You were much too lenient. He’s a whining, selfish wimp. He needs to think …
