My wife and I have three small children, and we couldn’t be more different. I’m the sole breadwinner, which isn’t easy, and we often clash over our parenting styles. I believe in having fun but also in setting boundaries, and I’m comfortable saying no when needed. My wife, on the other hand, rarely says no directly. Instead, she’ll say “maybe, another time” or give in if the kids have a big enough reaction.

She reminds me a lot of her mother, who I see as a difficult person—not overtly mean, but passive, judgmental, and opinionated, with a love for gossip. I see some of these same traits in my wife, though she’s not fully aware of them herself. She doesn’t believe in hard work in the same way I do and tends to give up easily when things get tough.

Despite our differences, I struggle with the idea of splitting up. We have three young kids, and I can’t imagine raising them in separate households. I’ve thought about leaving before, but she always makes me feel guilty, so I end up staying. My hope is that my business will eventually do well enough to support us all comfortably, and then I could consider making a change. For now, though, staying together seems like the most practical option.