What people are asking

I would want to know if other parents have had that too, a hot stretch where their kid suddenly seemed years older.

We opened our marriage and now another woman is pregnant—can we survive this?

I have been married to my husband for twelve years, and we have had a good relationship. Two years ago, we mutually opened our marriage under detailed rules limiting outside relationships to sex, but six months ago a regular outside partner accidentally became pregnant and has decided to raise the child independently; the child will be my husband’s biological child.

When the woman earns more, how do you keep the respect and emotional balance in the relationship?

When my wife was my girlfriend, she had graduated about a year earlier and earned more than I did, while my new job paid very little and I had only 300 yen in my pocket. We had decided to live together, and we sometimes quarreled about money and purchases because I felt proud and did not want her to spend more on me.

On a first date like this, should I have paid for the whole meal, or would it have been more appropriate for us to split the bill?

I met a woman for the first time after chatting with her online for a long time. We had lunch, and she left without offering to split the bill, so I paid for everything.

How do I tell when protecting or guiding him is truly necessary, rather than interrupting his choices because I am uncomfortable or want him to obey?

I am parenting my very young son, and after shouting when he explored something I considered dirty, I realized that trying to shape him can become emotional control. I want to stay peaceful, keep him safe, and give him room to explore.

Why do I react so strongly to other people's awkward moments, and what might this reaction mean about me?

At work, when colleagues are sharing their opinions and suddenly cannot continue speaking, I feel intense secondhand embarrassment for them.

What small, realistic steps could I take to ease this state and gradually regain some energy or interest?

For about six months, I have had very little energy or interest in things, and when I am idle I mostly stare blankly. I find it difficult to seek professional help.