DEAR ABBY: My husband dislikes my family and friends. He never wants to be around them for social gatherings -- and when he does go, he acts as if he's suffering. His attitude is starting to affect the relationship between our children and my parents. It's as if he doesn't want our kids to spend any time with them.
If I say something about his family or friends, he goes ballistic. If I don't want to be around them, I'm "stupid" and "anti-social." His family talks badly about me and treats me like dirt. When I say anything to my husband about it, he says I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting.
Abby, I'm tired of suffering, and my children deserve to spend as much time with my family as they do with his. Please help! -- FED UP IN PIEDMONT, S.C.
DEAR FED UP: Under normal circumstances, spouses are willing to extend themselves in the interest of family unity -- even if it means sometimes socializing with relatives they don't particularly enjoy. Had you given any indication why your husband dislikes your parents and friends, and why his family dislikes you, your question would have been easier to answer.
Name-calling and isolating someone from family and friends are considered abusive behaviors. If you and your husband cannot reach an agreement about this, enlist the assistance of a clergyperson or professional counselor.