Dear LFTP: the dad who never reciprocates
- How do I approach my sensitive father about feeling unloved when he never reciprocates my help?
A listener who moved here nearly thirty years ago and serves as their immigrant father's translator asks how to approach a sensitive father who always takes and never invites or shares affection — pulling an 'I love you' out of him is like pulling teeth. Boova sees a 'schmuck of a dad'; Ben sees possible plain 'dude behavior,' advising to presume the father doesn't realize these things matter and to love people in the way they receive love. They agree the Secular answer — calling the father secretive and entitled — is too harsh and misreads the situation.
More on Communication
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Is Jesus a good leader? The 10 qualities, part one
- Is Jesus a good leader by modern standards?
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From No. 602 · Relationship Counseling
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Dear LFTP: the fiance who games until 5AM
- What should the letter-writer do about her fiance's all-night gaming habit?
Mike reads a Dear LFTP letter from a woman engaged five years to Dustin, who games from 10PM to 5AM, skips chores, and gives her no attention; talking has not helped since 'he grew up gaming.'
From No. 598 · Emphasis | Accountability, Worship and Praying with Strangers
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Dear LFTP: the basement musician whose wife never asks him to play
- Am I asking too much to expect my wife to ask me to play, or should I just let it go and stop writing songs?
Mike reads a letter from a married-31-years basement musician and songwriter whose non-musical wife has never once asked him to play — he wonders if he's asking too much or should stop writing.
From No. 597 · Maybe A Word From God
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Dear LFTP: wife mocks husband's bladder problem in public
- How should I respond when my wife mocks me and my bladder problem in public?
Mike reads a letter from a man married three years whose wife calls him vulgar names in public and makes his bladder-control problem into comedy.