Expert: Peggy - 9/7/2002

Question
My wife's brother is an ass.  He constantly verbally abuses his wife and children, and thinks that it is ok.  Recently, he told his wife that he wants a divorce.  My wife and I took my sis-in-law's side, because we have seen the way he is.  The only problem is, he came back about 2 weeks later, played all nicey nicey, and convinced her to have sex with him.  He has been back in the house since, and my wife and I don't know what to do.  The only reason he even went over there, other than sex, is because the person he is staying with is going to kick him out, and he had nowhere else to go.
What can I say to my sis-in-law to tell her that she is being stupid without actually saying that?

Thanks in advance,

Ren

Answer
Hi Ren,
I'm sure your sister-in-law already knows she is acting stupid, but I'm sure she is still convinced she is in love with the jerk.  The more you talk about him, the more she will take up for him and keep him there.  It takes some people longer than others to realize they are being foolish.
You won't convince her he is bad for her, that is something
she will have to determine on her own.  If you could talk her into getting counselling, that is the only way she'll ever walk away from the relationship.
Good Luck
Peggy