My wife now more devoted to our kids

Dear Annie: My wife and I have two children — a 6-year-old son and a 10-month-old daughter. Our marriage was great for the first five years. Then, when our son was born, my wife began sleeping in his room. When our daughter was born, my wife moved into the baby’s room and our son began sleeping with me. I’ve tried to get our son to sleep by himself in his own room, but my wife insists he stay in my bed. I don’t think this is right.

Here are some things my wife used to do but doesn’t any longer: She used to kiss me in the morning and before we’d go to sleep at night. She used to say, I love you, I miss you, hug me, spend time with me. We used to cook and eat dinner together.

What is wrong with my marriage? What am I to do? — Concerned Husband

Dear Husband: A certain amount of co-sleeping in the family bed is OK, but your wife has transferred all her love and affection to her children, leaving you out in the cold. She may have convinced herself that such devotion is good for the kids, but it is slowly draining the life out of your marriage, and you no longer have a healthy, balanced family dynamic.

Ask your wife to go with you for some counseling. If she refuses, make an appointment for the two of you to visit the children’s pediatrician so you can get another opinion about those sleeping arrangements.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to [email protected], or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.