DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband was recently laid off from a big law firm in New York. We have three children, and I am a stay-at-home mom. He is trying to find places that are hiring, but he is not doing well. One of our kids is off to college next year, and we do not have enough money to live like we have been since we need to pay for college. It has been very hard on the family, and the financial tensions cause many fights. It has been a rough couple of months, and I do not know if I can take it much longer. What is the best way to manage this situation without ruining our relationship? -- Stressed Mother and Wife, Manhattan, New York
DEAR STRESSED MOTHER AND WIFE: Sit down with your husband to discuss your finances and to come up with a plan. Maybe you will need to get a job. Perhaps your college-bound child will need to get financial aid. Be practical as you consider your options. If you can address them as a team, you create space for respect and support through what will likely be an agonizing period for quite some time.