 Dr. Dale Atkins understands your wedding woes and has the perfect sanity-saving solutions for emotional issues, family questions, and fears about the engagement, wedding planning, and future.
 | How can I tell my father that I don't want him to give me away? My parents have been divorced for almost 13 years, and both are remarried. My dad hasn't been around me much; instead it was my grandfather (my mother's father) who raised me.
It has always been my dream to have my grandfather give me away at my wedding, but I am not sure how to tell my father. I don't know how he will take it, especially because he's not even too thrilled that I'm getting married. Any suggestions? |  |  | If your dream has always been to have your grandfather walk you down the aisle and give you away, and you want to honor him and the role he has played in your life, then you can, freely. Your father's feelings may be hurt. However, you can offer him another role in your ceremony.
Your father's lack of enthusiasm over your marriage is upsetting, but I suggest that you listen to his thoughts to see where he stands on your upcoming marriage. Don't argue; just listen and hear his perspective. Then tell him about the roles you have planned for him and your grandfather in the ceremony. This should pave the way for a happy, peaceful wedding. | | 
Dr. Dale Atkins is a professional psychologist and frequent media expert specializing in couple and family relationships. Dr. Dale is also an author with five books to her credit: Sisters; Families and Their Hearing Impaired Children; From the Heart (co-author); I'm OK, You're My Parents; and the most recently published, Wedding Sanity Savers (co-author). Currently living in Connecticut with her husband and dog, Dr. Dale has two grown sons and a private practice in New York City. | |
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