Can I believe a party animal with a 5-month old? Dear Annie fails to identify the obvious–again.
Dear Doug
Worthless bastard
Dear Doug,
I recently married my boyfriend, Danny, with whom I have a 5-month-old baby. Danny has promised to end his ways of partying with friends and to spend more time at home, but nothing has changed despite his many promises.
Danny sleeps until noon and doesn’t help with the household chores. We argue almost every day. I’m trying to keep things together for the sake of the baby, but I think a man who keeps breaking his promises is a liar. Would it be best for the baby if we leave him?
Signed,
Struggling newlywed
Dear Codependent,
Incredibly, other columnists might ask if Danny has a job and is helping to support the family. We know he’s spending any income he might earn in the late afternoon on booze and, likely, other women. Even more remarkably, other columnists might also suggest that the two of you discuss and decide on the healthiest environment for your baby. Since your husband is an alcoholic and is, therefore, incapable of making rational and logical decisions that are best for anyone but himself, he should not be included in making any decisions regarding you and the baby. Such other columnists would advise you to seek low-cost counseling. The only counseling you need is how to safely leave him. An alcoholic’s actions are unpredictable and your primary focus should be on how to protect yourself and your child from what could turn into lethal physically abuse. Get the heck out of that hellhole you call home—and do it now.
(Source for story idea: Dear Annie, August 5, 2009.)