End Friday war by driving to lake separately

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This article was published 27/05/2016 (3463 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My husband and I have a Cold War every Friday when we pack for the lake. I just want to throw some clothes and food in pillow cases and leave, but my husband — who is an uptight anal retentive, stressed to the max from work — comes home and unpacks what l’ve already packed in the trunk of the car. Then he repacks it all methodically, muttering and yelling at the kids. Then we get in the car with this horrible ogre, and he and I drive in cranky silence to the lake, looking straight ahead.

The kids don’t notice the stress, as they’re on their phones and playing games, but I sit in the front seat with Mr. Control Freak, and we hate each other. Then we arrive and he thunders off for a boat ride alone to calm down. His blood pressure must be sky high, so I let him. The kids unpack the vehicle and we all go for a swim.

I don’t cook because I’m so mad, so we eat warmed-up frozen lasagna. I never want sex that night. I loathe my husband for making the first part of every weekend horrible. I guess I could go in my truck, but why take two vehicles?

— Hate Fridays with Ogre, Fort Richmond

Dear Hate Fridays: The best way to deal with these predictable times when your husband is an ogre, is to physically avoid them. For a tank of gas per weekend, you could improve your lake life and your marriage, not to mention your sex life. Here’s the deal: put the kids and a few bags in the truck and take off together, an hour or so early. When the ogre arrives home, he looks at your list of stuff in the fridge and packs it any old way he wants. He drives out alone, playing music and de-stressing.

On your peaceful trip out, the kids can play games and you let the wind blow through your hair. Give him a kiss when he arrives, hand him a cold drink and everybody’s relaxed. He’ll want his ritual boat ride, so off he goes. Et voila! You have skipped the Cold War entirely.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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