Hi Hope, I just wanted to let you know I'm "lurking" and thinking of you...not sure I have a lot to add, but I know I've found the validating to be helpful as well....my H responds quite well to it as a rule. I've found that sometimes when I can't validate, just looking at him and smiling or saying something like "hmmmm" helps, as well.
I don't have a clue how to get them to read with you...at one time I suggested that to my H, and he pitched a fit and threw a book at me. I have found that he sometimes picks up books I leave laying around and reads them, and he tells me he's read some stuff....
