Question: My spouse says we don’t feel close anymore. How do we rebuild emotional intimacy? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

Question: To what extent should parents get involved with children’s martial issues? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More, Video

I am 23 years old and am getting married soon. What is be best advice you can give to me to be a good husband for my wife? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More, Video

Question: I work a full day, leaving the house at 7 a.m. and returning home around 7:30 p.m. My wife works in the morning and is home by 1 p.m. Now that we’re cleaning for Pesach, she expects me to do as much as her. She says she’s also busy with other household duties, but I barely have time to sleep after my long workday. Do you think this is fair? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More, Video

Question: I hear about families in our community going through difficult periods—financial struggles, health issues, or other personal challenges. Often, I think, “wow, I had no idea!” It seems that many people tend to keep their lives and feelings to themselves. Do you think people should open up more, or is it better to keep certain matters private? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

I am the proud father of eight children, all of whom I love very much. Unfortunately, at least half of them have chosen to abandon the path of Chabad, some with Torah observance that is borderline at best. As a result, I often feel that I have failed horrifically as a parent. I would like to know how you see my situation  • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

I give a lot around the house—cleaning, washing dishes, doing laundry, taking care of the kids—but my wife rarely says thank you or acknowledges what I do. It makes me not want to help anymore. What should I do? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

We are a family with seven children and our Shabbat table can be very chaotic. Instead of a beautiful, uplifting experience, much of the time is spent breaking up fights or getting the children to come to the table. What advice can you offer? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

I am a mother of seven, and my oldest child is 15 years old. As he moves deeper into his teenage years, I feel a growing distance between us. It seems to come from his desire for independence—to make his own choices rather than simply follow the ways of my husband and me. I am unsure whether I should tell him what he should do or let him do what he wants. I also struggle with how to respond when he acts in ways I don’t agree with • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More

Question: My husband and I both tend to yell when we get upset, and it feels like pouring gasoline on a fire—he yells, then I yell, or I yell and then he yells. Our kids also argue and yell a lot, and I’m sure it’s because of us. Both of us grew up in homes where yelling was common, so I guess we adopted it. Neither of us likes it, and we even joke about it sometimes. But we can’t seem to change. Do you have any tips? • Aharon Schmidt replies, from the Living Jewish’s Farbrengen column • Read More