Take your issues to counselor

Dear Annie: My husband really is a wonderful man. People describe me as patient, easy going and positive. I’m happy – except for my marriage.

For years, I’ve been bothered by the same three issues: I crave affection, but my husband is content to have sex once a month and I feel rejected when asking for more. Second, I feel suffocated at times because of his insistence that he always have his own way – although I have been more forceful recently in putting up a fight. Third, I am very lonely. I have a full-time job and come home to be a parent and do most of the household chores alone. My husband is never here. He is a workaholic.

When I express my total frustration, there will be short periods where he is mindful of my needs, but it’s only temporary. My husband insists we need the money he brings in, but I’d rather do without the extras he buys so I could spend more time with him. He thinks I have a pretty good life and should be content, and that all marriages have issues. Am I expecting too much? – Sad Wife

Dear Wife: It is not expecting too much to have your husband’s affection more than once a month along with some cooperation with the house and kids. However, you cannot make him become something he is not, especially if he doesn’t see a problem. This is what counseling is for. A competent counselor will help him understand why his behavior is so frustrating for you, and you can learn how to cope with his limitations. He also should see his doctor and have his testosterone checked.