Be careful here. Try to validate rather than refute, dismiss, and deny W's feelings.
Better: "I can see why you would like to feel like a whole, independent person in oneself who can then choose to have a romantic R with a male. I really understand that it is important that you are happy as a person all by yourself."
Better: "It must be frustrating to face roadblocks big and small to going back to school when it is so important to who you want to be right now and what you want to do."
Best, Oldtimer
I've been trying to just be there and listen. The form of validating that you suggest seems a little patronizing to me...and I'm sure my wife would feel that way. I've tried this to an extent in the past and she has said don't patronize me. I guess there is a real fine line there.
