Dear Ann Landers, My husband is a workaholic. He regularly works on Saturdays and often on Sundays as well. He averages 10 to 12 hours a day. Our three children are grown and doing well. We have purchased annuities for them and our four grandchildren. We give generous gifts of money for birthdays and Christmas and enjoy the fact that we can.
We have two cars, a lovely home, no debts and approximately $1 million in assets. Sound good? Well, we also have no hohbies. We haven't had a vacation in years except for a couple of weekends when we visited our children and their families.
I was a professional woman and worked both inside and outside the home. We are both in our 70s. When does the fun start?
--The Big Q
Dear Q, The fun started for your husband a long time ago. Workaholics would rather work than play, which is why they do it.
Mates of workaholics must make their own fun. If you're in your 70s and haven't discovered that, you're a slow learner, honey.
Hi! It's Margo here. I'd love to know what you think of the letters -- and the answers!
Also, any additional thoughts you might have. Thanks!
Reader Comment
Very poor answer from Ann. This woman needs to sit down with her husband and tell him that his behavior indicates he cares more about working than her. What good is all the money if he won't take time to enjoy it together? Working 7 days a week is a direct rejection of her. This man needs therapy to find out why he needs to bury his life in work. Perhaps he has low self-esteem and is trying to somehow prove himself worthy. If this woman is in good health, she could live another 15 or more years. I, for one, would not be willing to spend them alone.
Lakewoodohiolady's Comment
Life is short. Take the trip. Buy the game or concert tickets. You can't take it with you.
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Our Reader to Reader Question of the Week:
Dear Readers, , consolation or advice can you give parents in their 50s who have worked hard to achieve the Ameri-can dream, loved their kids and tried to give them the best world ever? We are also the unhappiest. Many of our children are on drugs, unemployed dropouts, mi-grants, drifters, angry with the world, hostile toward us and out of joint with society. How much and for how long should parents pay, in terms of self-recrimination, worry, disappointment and financial sup-port? How can we enjoy the years that are left to us now that we have more money and fewer business pressures and are still in fairly good health? It’s heartbreaking to see our kids maladjusted, disoriented and un-able to cope. We can’t help but feel we are to blame. After all, they are our sons and daughters. We raised them. Where is the cutoff line? Do you have any answers? -Meant Well Parents
"At every party there are two kinds of people - those who want to go home and those who don't. The trouble is, they are usually married to each other."
