There has been, for some reason (or more likely an unfortunate accumulation of reasons) a trend over the past several decades for parents to do the work of parenting in the isolation of their own homes - and not only that, this trend has overlapped with the other trend of much deeper parent involvement in raising kids. That you also represent trend No. 3, more people raising kids solo, has only exacerbated a close-to-no-win situation.

Minimizing exposure to miserable people is nothing short of a life strategy.

If you're not sure what you want, then hold back from making plans or responding to invitations until you have a chance to think about it.

When in doubt, respond to what you witness, not what you hear secondhand.

The most reliable ways to make oneself miserable are attempting to change people and not attempting to change circumstances.

Instead of talking at each other about the non-business-related contact, talk to each other about your concerns about marriage. Listen a lot, too.

There's nothing like a good family when you're really up a tree.