Not all advice need be professional.

Luckily for you, Im that guy.

Welcome back to Tough Love.

Where do you draw the line to ensure youre not being taken advantage of?

Note: Im a columnist, not a therapist or certified healthcare professional.

My advice should be interpreted with that in mind.

If you have a problem with anything I say,file a complaint here.Now, let us begin.

We have two childrena 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl.

She rarely works, maybe two nights a week at most.

But Im quite tired of being the only one bringing in the money.

She refuses to get a different job, even at nights, so I can watch the children.

She doesnt want to work weekends and thats mainly why shes doing this job she currently has.

We rent a home thats abut $1200 a month and she never cleans it up.

Most of the day is spent doing God knows what.

Ive come home to see the kids still in PJs and her on the TV.

Shes not going to school like Ive asked and weve talked about.

Shes literally doing nothing but making sure the kids stay alive.

I really dont have a clue what to do.

Ive become distant to her and dont really want to be around her much anymore.

She wants to snuggle and watch TV and Id rather go do something on my own.

Have you asked your partner how shes feeling lately?

Does she have reservations about failure or another nagging hang-up?

Is she having a mental health struggle?

Then, depending on what you learn, be the punch in of supportive partner you would want.

It sounds like you face your own mental health struggles, so it’s possible for you to empathize.

take a stab at be delicate about how phrase your feelings, but express how you really feel.

Youll make zero progress if you dont communicate.

For you to understand your situation, you have to understand your partner.

First off, your kids staying in their pajamas isnt the end of the world.

Ive been working from home the last two years and have spent alotof time not getting fully dressed.

Do I feel less productive as a result at times?

Maybe, but my priorities are markedly different than a two-year-olds.

Therewillalways be consequences and you shouldnt ignore them.

I really hope youre able to make some progress with her before it comes to that.

Just know that her emotions and personal situation matter just as much as yours.

Thats it for this week, but theres plenty more Tough Love to go around.

Until next time, take care of yourselves!