Coleen advises a reader who has welcomed her troublesome husband back home.. but because of his past bad behaviour, her family can't stand him16:05, 11 Sep 2026Updated 16:07, 11 Sep 2026Dear Coleen,About two years ago I threw my husband out after his behaviour became too much. It was like he was on a self-harm mission, determined to blow up his life and our marriage. He was reckless, drank too much, smoked a lot of weed and also had sex with several women. The infidelity was the final straw for me.He’d become increasingly distant before that and I know he felt unfulfilled in his job, but every time I tried to talk to him to help, I got nowhere. We also have a five-year-old son, so I had to put him first.My family were amazing, helping out with childcare and just being there for emotional support. I couldn’t have managed without them.‌A few months ago, I started having proper, honest conversations with my husband. He’s been having a lot of therapy and is remorseful for what he put me and our son through. He explained he had unresolved trauma from his childhood, which he was finally addressing with his therapist.To cut a long story short, we reconciled, it’s going well and he now stays with us a few nights a week – I’m still not ready for a full-time commitment, so we’re taking it slow, and he understands.The problem is, my family despise him and refuse to see him or even discuss him, and they can’t believe I’ve let him back in. They’re still very angry. It’s making things tricky and I don’t know what I can do about it. Any ideas?Coleen says,It sounds like you’ve been through a very difficult time. I can see both sides of this – your family love you and are naturally protective because you’ve been hurt and they don’t want to see you in that situation again.‌You can’t make them change their opinion, but in time they might come around and be more understanding if they can see that things are going well and that you’re happy.I also understand why you’re willing to give him a second chance, now that he’s getting professional help and is being honest with you. It’s also smart to take things slowly and for him to know that this reconciliation is a work in progress, and that he has to prove he’s worthy of your trust, support and love.I think it would also be worth having relationship therapy together to help you go forward. It might be worth your husband reaching out to your family to explain face-to-face and offering an apology. They might have more understanding of what he’s been through.Coleen’s words of wisdomIf you struggle with self-doubt, take a few minutes every day to visualise reaching your goals, talk to yourself ­positively, and remind yourself of your achievements and what you’re grateful for. It helps to build a positive mindset.‌Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌