When my son went through a mid-life crisis, you helped me support him

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN my son went through a mid-life crisis, getting tattoos and saying he was going to divorce his lovely wife, I wrote to you in despair.

I couldn’t bear to watch him sabotage his whole life, but felt powerless to stop him. 

He and his wife are both 45 and have a 15-year-old daughter. 

They were happily married but my son has always found it hard to stick at jobs, always doing new courses and starting, then dropping, career plans.

Last year, he suddenly decided he didn’t love his wife anymore, declaring her boring and controlling. He left and pushed for a divorce.

He also started dressing like a teenager and getting piercings and tattoos.

I tried to reason with him but he wouldn’t listen. 

You gently told me I couldn’t fix their marriage, just be there and encourage them to have some counselling. 

You gave me your support pack, How to Look After Your Relationship, to pass on, and recommended I call Family Lives  (familylives.org.uk, tel: 0808 800 2222) for advice. 

I’m delighted to say that my son has finally realised how lucky he is and he’s working at rebuilding his marriage.

Thank you.

DEIDRE SAYS: I’m so glad your son and his wife are working things out.