DEAR ABBY: Some time ago I lost my first wife. About a year and a half later I remarried. My kids were adults and on their own. My new wife still had children in high school. I helped all of them to get their first car, and sometimes worked on their cars to keep them running. When they have problems or need money, I have been the one they came to for help.
Advertisement
My grown children try to work out their own problems and hardly ever come to me for help. When my wife's kids have problems with their marriages, they stay at our home. One has been with us for several months now. Another thinks we should baby-sit two or three times a week. When I say anything to my wife, she gets upset.
I'm retired now and would like to have my home back for my wife and me to enjoy our retirement. I worked for more than 40 years to enjoy retirement -- now I hate every day of it.
I've considered leaving, but with the laws as they are, she would get half of my retirement, and she never worked to put anything into it. Not a day goes by that I don't wish I had not remarried. I would have been happier living by myself. -- HATES EVERY DAY
DEAR HATES: It's possible that when your wife's children were in high school, you overindulged them. However, you are all adults now, and it is time for them to accept responsibility for themselves. You are overdue for a talk with them. If your wife feels unable to bring herself to talk to them with you -- do it alone.
After 40 years of hard work, you are entitled to some happiness in your retirement. If you are truly as unhappy as your signature indicates, talk to a lawyer about your options, and what your wife is entitled to if you and she should separate. It may not be as much as you fear.