Slate Culture Dear Prudence | My Wife Thinks I Had an Emotional Affair With My Best Friend. Help!
Sep 6, 2024
Lizzie O'Leary, host of Slate's What Next TBD, joins Prudie to tackle humorous and heartfelt letters from listeners. They delve into the sticky issue of a mother's excuses for backing out of babysitting duties and explore the emotional nuances of perceived infidelity in relationships. The conversation also touches on navigating friendships, particularly with those who monopolize conversations, and strategies for maintaining connections while managing expectations. It's a lively mix of empathy, laughter, and practical advice!
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Reset Caregiver Expectations
- Do set firm expectations with unreliable caregivers and decide consequences privately rather than as a public threat.
- Communicate changes later by acting on new boundaries, e.g., choosing dependable backups when needed.
Don’t Announce Emotional Withdrawals
- Avoid broad, punitive declarations in anger; express hurt briefly and set consequences privately.
- Implement changes (like relying on different relatives) without dramatic announcements.
Grandparent Relationships Can Change
- Grandparent roles often shift and may be different but still valuable if expectations reset.
- Prioritize your child's loving adults over your imagined grandparent blueprint.