After some years of marriage, there are many reasons for which we want divorce but there is always a single reason which is strong enough to hold us together. Unknowingly, we mess up the relationship and then wonder what happened. Definitely, there would be something which will be strong enough to get her back in your life. And that reason nobody can tell you except you, you have to figure it out. Go back in time and think about the moments which you both loved to create and cherish together even today.
Once I was asked by a lady why I love her so much? Like everybody responds to this question, I replied that I don’t know the reason but I am sure that I will love you for my entire lifetime. To this, she responded how can I be sure of that as she has seen and heard many people saying this but ultimately they break up. I was taken aback and actually thought about her response. I didn’t want to give her any vague answer which even I don’t believe. Then I realised something and replied to her,” I know that everybody says that, and I know this also that they say not to fake anything but they are occupied with that moment which is filled with love. And they commit at that moment to eternal love. There are many things which they would be loving in the partner at that moment and with the ageing of the relationship these loving traits may fade away, but there will always be something that we will love about each other and if we are able to identify that loving string then there we will be together for a lifetime.”
When we marry, we accept to take responsibilities along with love and there are times when these responsibilities take over love and we are not able to identify that suppressed love which is always there. Even everybody around us talks about responsibilities that we have to fulfil and that makes us sick within. We hear about responsibilities and we talk about responsibilities with each other. A good morning starts with a “To do” list and good nights end with making those “To do” lists and the rest of the day is spent doing those things. Weekends are ruined with households and regaining and preparing yourself for weekdays. And in all this, we neglect the importance of small moments that rejuvenate our relationships. Let there be a coffee together in our daily style but this time let’s talk about each other. Let there be a grocery shopping with each other and let’s take it as a date where we are having some humour and teasing. Let there be drives to a regular destination and let’s talk something stupid. Let’s live like a teenage girlfriend and boyfriend and let there be some cheesy talks.
Don’t see her as your wife but a desire like you did before marrying her. See her as a stunning gorgeous lady you want to flirt with. Adore her, admire her and apologise to her for all the things done or not done by you. Focus on only one thing, that you want her back in your life and you will be amazed that your mind and heart will be filled with emotions and expressions that will bring her back.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
First of all, ask your wife if she too is bored with you. Maybe she got bored with you long ago and just because of your male ego she is quiet. Maybe she is vegetating more in this relationship and has lost any hope from you?
Secondly, what efforts you have put into making your relationship exciting and alive again? It’s not about you alone in a relationship, it is about us and either of the “us” has to put effort to keep the relationship lively. Improve your communication with your spouse first, take her on a date, and be her boyfriend for a while rather than being a boring husband all the time.
Third, analyse your past, and how the relationship was and introspect what changed this. Many times we get solutions to our problems by knowing the problem in detail. There would be moments and incidences which led to this change in you or your spouse, those could be good or bad. If they were good relive them in a different manner this time and if they were bad then try to forgive and forget them. Don’t carry the burden of regrets and disheartenings with you all your life. Relieve yourself first and then try to make your partner comfortable too.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
It depends upon multiple factors.
What is the reason for you to get a divorce? Don’t you like your partner anymore or do you like anyone else or do you want to free yourself from all the bindings and relationships and want to stay alone?
Is she cheating on you and you got to know that but didn’t want to tell her or confront her?
How is your married life going?
Why do you want to make it easier for her and not for both of you?
Whatever the reasons might be, you have to make a wise decision based on your independent perspective. And if you are divorcing her then whatever you will do to make it easy might not be easy for her. On the other hand, if she is comfortable in getting a divorce from you then it might make you uncomfortable, how do you know that? It is better not to think about why and how to make it easy, rather focus on not doing anything ugly during the process and forgiving her if she does something ugly in the process. Divorce is always a bitter experience for the moment it is happening but it may turn out to be a fruitful outcome in the future. Not every couple is made for each other, not every couple can adjust to each other and not every couple can sacrifice themselves for each other.
There are three basic needs of an individual which need to be fulfilled for a content life; physical, mental and emotional. The levels and priorities might differ from person to person. And when two people tie a knot then both have to compromise a bit to fulfil these needs. When this compromise goes beyond someone’s limits then either it becomes the situation of ugly married life or divorce.
You are doing nothing new or unique by getting a divorce. So better to follow the protocol and maintain your sanity. Leave the rest on time.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
When I was in my first job after engineering my boss used to say (when we had drinks) that “Marriage is the least worst relationship!” Being bachelors we never understood that I used to think that this is nonsense and we have so many relationships better than marriage. The thinking was based on the fact that divorces happen more than any other breakup in any relationship. Jobs changed, friends changed and this statement was also lost somewhere in the subconscious.
Finally, I got married to my girlfriend and we married after five years of our relationship. So we were pretty sure that we knew each other well (five years is quite a long time). Our parents were also fine with our marriage, so everything went well.
Gradually, we both felt that things were changing. We were no more in a mushy-mushy relationship of a girlfriend and boyfriend. We were not dating for some hours or for a day or two, after which we went back to our homes. We are on a lifelong date and whatever good or bad happens on that date we have to come back to the same house and have to face each other every time.
The first truth that we have to face after marriage is that suddenly your family gets doubled. Two sets of parents, two sets of siblings and two sets of all other relatives and relations. And the story doesn’t end here, the expectations of all these old and newcomers increase overnight. When I was a bachelor, I rarely called my parents and they didn’t mind that (at least they hadn’t said it to me) but a week after my marriage they were expecting my call every day and maybe twice or thrice a day. The same goes for my wife. Suddenly all the care and concern pop up and people who used to call or visit once in a year or two want to know about your life. Honestly, a newly married couple doesn’t understand what is coming from where and unnecessary arguments start to take place.
The second truth is the restriction on freedom of the moment. There is always a clock ticking in your mind (both husband and wife) to reach back home within a certain range of time. This range is defined by both of them but remains unsaid. If you are staying away beyond this limit then you should have a good reason for that. It does not mean that the partner is suspecting you for anything all the time but he or she is expecting you at that time. And the reasons you used to give to your parents didn’t work here at all. So to get the feeling of togetherness sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself.
The third truth is freedom of choice. Imagine you want to try something new in your career. For a bachelor, although it is difficult but somehow possible with little motivation from oneself and from some stupid friends. But the moment you are married, change becomes more difficult as you are bound with responsibilities and asking for support from your parents, financially, at this time is not at all a good idea. The risk-taking capabilities of both partners decrease significantly. With an understanding and supporting partner, one can try something new but a fear of failure and then a dark family future always bother the mind.
The fourth truth is the “third way”. Rarely does it happen that both partners enjoy the same thing in everything. Even if one sacrifices then the other one doesn’t feel good about it. Both are ready to sacrifice for the sake of the other and both don’t buy the other’s sacrifice. So ultimately you land up to either getting nothing or getting something which none of you want. After having some episodes of this type both the partners decide to have a third way out where both of them have to sacrifice in equal amounts and can get a considerable amount of enjoyment. For example, in my case, I love driving hundreds of kilometres but I don’t like destinations. I get bored at any destination. On the other hand, my wife loves visiting destinations but is not interested in driving that long. She is fine with any other transport but I am fine with my car only. So the third way we discovered is that she prepares a circuit of destinations she wants to visit and I drive the car to those destinations. In this case, we both enjoy the same time and get bored at the same time. Yes, the times are different, when she is enjoying I am getting bored and vice versa. But life is going on with togetherness.
The fifth truth is the lack of isolation. Whenever a couple gets into an argument it is understood and justified that they will not talk to each other for some time. This time is a variable which starts from hours to days and sometimes weeks. Definitely, at this time you get some isolation but your mind does not isolate itself from the arguments that happened recently and those that happened in the sweet past. But sometimes you need isolation for the rejuvenation of the self. You want some “me” time. And if you take that time without proper consultation and reason from your partner then it becomes a terrible isolation which leads to further isolation of the partner and end up in an argument. And what reason one can give for desiring isolation, there could be no reason which seems legitimate to the partner. And this makes the “me” time a delicacy to have in marriage.
Now I understand the meaning of “Marriage is the least worst relationship.” You may struggle but in the end, you are together. There will be moments and believe me a lot of moments where you will not feel love and affection but a few moments once in a while that you will fill your entire life with love and affection. Boyfriends and girlfriends are in a relationship but that is not called a lifetime relationship, even the relationship with parents is not called a lifetime relationship. Only marriage is called a lifetime relationship and there are reasons that justify this. We live for approximately 20-25 years with our parents and out of these if we subtract our infant, toddler, and adolescence time then only a few years are left when our parents tolerate us as adults. On the other hand, it is your spouse who tolerates you as an adult for the rest of your life. And if this tolerance goes smoothly then it makes life worth living.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
3 out of 4 seem too much of a percentage. But what if it is 3 out of 10, 20 or any greater number; does that make it a legitimate percentage? Never! So don’t think along these lines at least.
Furthermore, only blaming will not solve the purpose nor divorce will solve anything unless you have decided to stay alone for your lifetime. If you are planning to move ahead for a new relationship then before leaving this you need to introspect and find answers to many questions.
Is yours a love marriage or arranged?
Who is that girl with him and how do they know each other?
How is your married life going? When he didn’t have the affair and after that.
Do you share a healthy physical relationship?
How healthy is your conversation?
How well you both are connected emotionally?
What was the reason he told you about his affair when it was going good, I mean you haven’t figured it out rather it’s him who told you?
How is your husband as a person? How did he behave in his other relationships?
And many questions that you can think of. Keep you and your husband aside for a while and then try to analyse the situation. Think as if it has happened to someone else. Don’t be impulsive as you don’t know how this decision may impact your thinking.
As natural beings, it is natural that we get attracted to so many people, sometimes physically and sometimes mentally. Our social norms restrict us from leaving our boundaries which are healthy for maintaining relationships; otherwise, there would be a complete mess in the social structure. The social norms do give a person enough freedom to get out of these relationships too but then we have to respect that freedom and decide rationally.
Lady, there are many “What ifs” that you have to answer for yourself. Before answering them don’t take any decision. It’s not a matter of some time but it is a matter of your lifetime. So decide wisely.
Stay Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
Why the question is specific to wives only, why not broaden the horizon by including husbands too? Both can cheat and we have cases where both cheat. To answer this question we have to analyse why anybody cheats in the first place then we will be able to figure out the consequences and emotional state of the one who is cheating and fortunately or unfortunately caught.
Being human, there are some physical, emotional and mental needs which need to be fulfilled to have a wholesome life and to have own peace and sanity. And we have introduced a beautiful concept of marriage to fulfil all these needs. Marriage is a long-term commitment to fulfilling these three needs of self as well as of the partner along with some (or many) responsibilities that are to be taken care of by both. We understand that all these needs cannot be fulfilled in totality as it is nearly impossible, so we tune up the levels of these needs to a certain level where both partners agree and commit to a relationship known as marriage. The point that becomes critical here is that do we know how much we can compromise on our certain needs? Do we know ourselves well? Now imagine the time when we search for a partner, how much time before getting into a relationship do we devote to each other, and how much do we focus on our needs that are fulfilled during that phase? The majority of the time we focus on perishable traits of our “to-be partner”, like appearance, way of talking, professional career, family background, etiquette and many other traits which tell us about the person on the surface level only. It gives us no idea what the person is within the self. So the process of selection is no more than gambling where you expect great victories but in reality might not get lucky.
After marriage, while living together, both partners get to know each other deeply and further adjust the levels of their needs. If the levels of both of them synchronise then the marriage is successful otherwise things start to get dirty day by day. We must not assume that all successful marriages have perfectly tuned up levels of their needs; there could be some external factors which sometimes are responsible for long-term marriages. Those could be social reputation, children, morality, personal gains or something where staying together is more beneficial than moving out.
Now let’s move ahead to analyse why a partner gets inclined to someone else and how he or she might feel after being caught. We all have to agree on the fact that nobody wants to or plans to go for an extramarital affair in the first place if the bonding with the partner is going good. Yes, we do find other people more attractive (physically), mentally more understanding or emotionally more warm; but still, we don’t fall for them evaluating the synchronization we have with our partner.
Cheating because of physical attraction
In most cases, we are physically attracted to other people and if the situations are favourable then we cheat our partner. Physical attraction is present within every species as that is how any species reproduces and sustains its legacy. Modes of attraction might be different but the idea remains the same i.e. physically attracted. So it is not illogical when it comes to humans, this attraction is very natural. The partner who is cheating might not be getting sexual satisfaction with the present partner or might need more than what the partner has to offer. Generally, this type of attraction is termed infatuation and it subsides with time but until that time cheating has been done and one is left with guilt. This guilt is alleviated if the person is caught. On the other hand, there could be mixed feelings too. For example, if the couple is not enjoying or fulfilling their physical relationship then the one who cheated may feel betrayed and can indulge in cheating. And in this case, there would be anger and guilt after or before being caught.
Cheating because of mental attraction
Everyone has an intellectual level and sometimes that level of intellect is missing in the partner which gets revealed after some time or long after marriage. In this scenario, if someone comes into life who can fill this gap then a person may get attracted to that person. It is a very common thing; one encounters these people in their professional as well as personal lives. The relationship may or may not be physical but definitely one spends too much time talking or meeting that person as that satisfies the mental need. In this case, the partner is neglected. If this affair gets caught then the person falls into impatience and/or in guilt. This type of affair is difficult to identify and accept as we have a social notion in our subconscious that only physical bonding is cheating. But we should not forget that if someone has a very high mental need then he or she may scrap the marriage for this reason.
Cheating because of emotional attraction
Many ugly things come with marriage and we have to adjust to make them less ugly. And many times the emotional support from the partner is missing while dealing with the issues. Within the relationship, if one is not getting that support then the person seeks that support outside. The primary contacts for seeking support are family and friends. We go to these people for emotional support and to talk our hearts out as we trust them and hope to get solutions for our emotional problems. These people may hear your concerns and make you feel comfortable too but at the same time, we should not forget that the person is seeking emotional support from the partner and as a partner. Even the partner going through this emotional disturbance might not know this. At this time if someone enters the life who is nobody from the existing relationships and that person gives emotional support along with the feeling of love and care then it is easy and comfortable to fall for that person. Definitely, cheating is done in this case according to social definitions. Now, when the person is caught cheating then the feelings can go to extremes. Guilt is obvious but it could be long-term or short-term. Another feeling will be heartbreak along with loneliness as that person was the source of emotional support. A person may go into depression too depending upon the reaction and behaviour of the spouse.
In all the cases where the cheating is done and is caught, it depends upon the partner how he or she reacts to the situation, how the situation is understood and what will be the future behaviour of the spouse. Will the spouse be able to understand and accept the situation and contribute to filling gaps or will he or she try to tame the spouse and make him or her feel bad about what happened? We are very good at expecting from others and giving guilt to others and that has become the basic trait of humans. This is how we suppress others. We fail to understand that marriage is not about suppressing anyone but about being together and extracting the maximum happiness out of life while fulfilling the responsibilities. If one person is cheating then the responsibility of the other person becomes double as one has to be calm and composed while dealing with this situation. One has to be logical and rational in this situation. Any marriage can at any time be broken; it’s easier nowadays, but why take a less resistive path all the time, why not mend what is broken, why not to trust again and above all why not to introspect what wrong we are doing and had done which has led to this situation. If we are wrong then why not accept it first?
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
The world is mysterious and people living here are more weird than we can think of. If you are asking of possibilities then there are endless possibilities, known and unknown. Things and situations which were not in our dreams are present today and have become a part of our regular lives. So, the possibility of a successful relationship after cheating is definitely there and we must not deny that. Although, to have this scenario we need to understand the factors related to that first.
First of all, let’s eliminate the word trust from the dictionary of married life and replace it with assumption. Trust can only take place when the situations always remain constant. We trust that an apple will fall on the ground due to gravity. We trust that a person born will die one day. We trust only those situations and happenings that can repeat themselves under every condition known to us. But we assume that the partner will not cheat or the relationship will go without trouble. And there is a reason to call it an assumption and not trust. While starting any relationship we commit to each other assuming certain conditions. We commit at that moment and for that moment and assume that the moment will continue for eternity. But personalities and situations change from time to time and we remain unaware about it. Then comes a tipping point where the conditions change and the commitments become irrelevant and void. Let us understand this with an example.
We get married under some impressions and assumptions. A stable career, nice personality, good emotional quotient and intellect etc. are some of the common traits that we fall in love with and decide to spend life with that person. There is no way to evaluate and know a person completely and there will be something missing and hidden all the time. In addition to that, with changes in age, surroundings and situations these traits are bound to alter and the change can be nominal or significant. Furthermore, there are three basic needs of every individual; physical need, mental need and emotional need. Marriage is the only legitimate relationship where one can expect to satisfy all these needs from a single person. If there is any need which is unfulfilled then the impatience increases and a person will go either into loneliness, stress or depression else search for someone who can fill up the gap. People who choose depression undergo treatment and people who try to search for someone else undergo cheating. (I am personally not in favour of calling this act cheating but there is no other word that can describe the situation well so we have to go with this word only until we find some other word.)
If cheating is unethical then there is some role of the other partner too, however small or big, in that unethical act. There will be some cause that came from the other partner which led to the effect of cheating. We must not consider it as an act where one is a victim and the other is the culprit rather both partners share some part of the victim as well as the culprit.
While living a married life we focus on the responsibilities so much that we sometimes forget that we are couples and we are connected with the strings of love and affection. Unintentionally we forget to create beautiful moments with each other and expect everything to go as before, we forget to cherish each other and we forget the reason why we decided to be together.
Cheating is a chapter which adds up in your story due to any of the reasons. Depending upon the reasons and severity behind the act; both the partners have to decide if they want to end the story there or want to move it to the next chapter. Ending the relationship is simple and requires less effort. You need to convince each other, your family (in some cases) and the legal system to get out of that relationship. However, if both of them decide to continue with the relationship then this time the assumptions and suspicion will be more and this is a general human tendency which we get from nature; the tendency to be safe and secure.
In these cases, the relationship has to be nurtured with more love, and care and without humiliation. Instead of expecting one more episode of cheating the couple should incline themselves into recreating the lost bonding. Time is very powerful, and it is the greatest healer. Give time to your relationship and observe it getting stronger and more beautiful.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
Before taking any decision or asking any advice you need to introspect the reason why you married that girl in the first place. This could be your love marriage or arranged marriage; it does not make any difference. Let us begin with the process of getting married. When you find a girl or a boy suitable for marrying then what do you check? Some of the common traits or qualities we consider are looks, intellect, how one behaves with others, family background, profession and search for a comfort zone where you think that marriage will be successful. More or less the criterion remains the same, some things are added or subtracted depending on the individual’s personality and way of thinking. Out of everything we never bother to test, beforehand, if either of you is infertile or suffering from any chronic problem. Why is this so? Have we ever thought about that? One of the primary responsibilities of marriage is to reproduce, but we never bother to check if that is possible between the two or not. When we dive into the reason behind this, we find that reproduction does not occupy the first place in the relationship, long-term comfort and understanding companionship comes to our mind at the first place. We all need a partner with whom we can live our entire lives, who can understand us and support us emotionally and mentally in every phase of our lives. It is difficult for most people to live this life alone and we need someone on whom we can depend.
Now you are in a condition where you have a beautiful partner who is ready to walk with you in every phase of your life. But because she is not able to reproduce you are giving thoughts about leaving her. You have changed your priorities from having a lifetime partner to having a child-producing machine. Therefore, you have to set your priorities first because this will not impact only your life but the life of the girl too. Have you ever thought about her feelings and emotions? I am sure if you are asking this question in an open domain then you must have said some humiliating words to that innocent girl too. Are you supporting her emotionally? Definitely, the law will permit you divorce on these grounds but is the law above the love you both have or had before knowing this?
Now let’s check some of the conditions where you can move and analyse the probable outcomes of that. We will not talk about the emotional and mental trauma your wife will go through as that cannot be measured on any scale, and you too are not bothered about it (as it seems).
You divorce her and get married to another girl who can give you a child: What if you get the child but do not get the comfortable and good companionship? The new marriage may make your life hell but you will have your bloodline. Will this be fine with you? Can you spend the rest of your life in that situation or you will divorce her too? Will you change your priority to the child or to beautiful companionship at that time?
There are various options available nowadays where if either of the partners is infertile then also the couple can have a baby. What is the reason that you are not going for that? Will this hurt your ego or is there some fear in you that you are hiding? This is not something unique you would be doing, rather many couples do that and are happy with their lives. If the child is your concern then this can fill the gap but if “your child” is your concern then I am sorry to say that you are suffering due to some orthodox belief system. In this case, I will advise your wife to get rid of you.
Why child is so important for you? Have you ever thought about that or you are getting pressure from somewhere to have a child? What will happen if you don’t have a child? How will your life change? Again, this is not a unique thing that you would be doing, many couples intentionally don’t have children and they are living a normal life. But in this case that is their choice based on their reasons. Furthermore, we do compromise many times in our lives in order to get or expect something better. In your case, it is the beautiful companionship that you can have. If sacrificing the desire of having a child is giving you a beautiful companionship then it is worth doing it. I don’t know about you or others but I definitely would have sacrificed this desire in exchange for a mindful partner.
Now the situation which I am giving is a bit disturbing for you and for many other parents but that is one of the practical situations which many parents have faced. And I am sorry if I am hurting the feelings of anyone here. What if you have your child and nurture the child for your lifetime but you lose the child due to any reason? Who will you blame at that point and whom will you divorce at that time? At that time too, you will be childless and in a similar situation as of today. Will that give you any mental satisfaction anywhere that at least you had the child for some time? We as parents put a lot of effort into saving our children and parents know how scary it is when we see the world around us. Parenting is a big responsibility, greater than your responsibility towards your spouse, and if you are not ready to fulfil the responsibility towards your spouse then how can you be sure of fulfilling the responsibility towards your child? Are you thinking of breaking a relationship because of a problem which has solutions, what will you do if the problem has no solution at all? Think!
It is advisable to talk to your partner and give her emotional and mental support. Once you are married it’s not about your or her problem, it is the problem of both of you and both have to seek a solution. At this time she needs you the most and you are walking away. I am sure that together with the love and support of each other you will get some way out. This is a rare situation which you are facing and if you deal with it constructively you will be bestowed with a lifelong beautiful companionship.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
This situation is also known as “Endless arguments” in the dictionary of married couples. This is a common scenario, and the reason behind it is a difference in perspectives or points of view. Before couples, we must understand that we are individuals with different minds. We marry assuming that most of our thoughts and comfort levels overlap, but not all. With time, our point of view may change depending on the maturity, knowledge levels and experience.
Yes, it gets difficult, sometimes, to make others understand your point of view. There cannot be a perfect solution to this situation; however, we can try to reduce the differences and come to a common conclusion. Let’s assume he is not at all listening to you and is not ready to accept your reason. And there is no mutual understanding between you and your husband. You can try different ways to deal with your concern:
If he does not understand you, then you try to understand what reasons he has and then explain your reasons by sugarcoating them with his. In this way, his ego will be satisfied, and your point of view will be delivered to him.
While arguing, remain calm and have patience. Listen to what he is saying and try not to jump to conclusions. Most of the time, we don’t listen; we hear what is said and miss out on the vital pointers and loopholes that can be used in your favour.
Don’t be passive or aggressive while arguing. Both attitudes block the mind. Be assertive in your approach. If he cannot find a common solution, you try to find it.
Try to know the source from where his point of view or arguments are coming from (I guess you know what I mean). If they are coming from somewhere else, that means he has not given his thoughts on them and is just following. In this case, target the source and not the victim of the source.
Sometimes, we must go out of our way to make our relationships healthy. If your intention is to improve your relationship, then any method and route you take is justified and reasonable. Don’t stress yourself and burden yourself with being manipulative. Everything will be fine one day.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!
Wow! What a thought lady! Who is he? I don’t think he is your son; it looks as if he is the slave who was given birth by an insane lady who expects him to live his life on her terms. Forget about how old he is, if he has attained the age where he is mature enough to take his decisions then he is free to choose his life partner, whether good or bad is up to him alone. And by the way, he is already in hell if he is living with you. His wife is not wrong but you definitely are wrong for both of them. Let them breathe, let them have their freedom and let them enjoy their life.
This is not the problem only with you, this is a general problem. The only difference here is that you have said it and others do it intentionally (by remaining silent) or unintentionally. Being a parent does not mean that you have ownership of your child rather you have the responsibility to nurture that child, give love and care to the child and support the child emotionally and mentally whenever he or she faces problems. For our whole life, we work to make the independent for what? To become dependent upon them or to see them living happily. Support the decisions taken by your children and give them your valuable experience if you have any. Either they will succeed or fail, in both cases, they will learn something new and become mature. Our aim as parents is to help them move forward, if we are the ones who will pull them back then who else is there whom they can trust. You are not setting the right example for him to lead his life rather you are intoxicating his life.
Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!