Answers to Locals questions!

Hi Stef, long time listener. Thanks for all that you do.

My girlfriend and I have been dating for 4 years now. In 2021 she decided to get vaccinated while I didn’t. We discussed at the time our opposing perspectives on the matter and in the end she went with hers (to get vaccinated x 3) and I went with mine (not to).

Recently when we’ve spoken again on the subject, I’ve expressed how upsetting I find it that she decided to get vaccinated independently of what I thought and independently of the relationship. My rational (now not at the time) is that the implication of the vax (God forbid) would be something we deal with together. While actually I had no input or say in her decision making. Which seems a bit unfair to me

At the end of that most recent conversation, we concluded that:

We were only 18 months into our relationship at the time. The bond wasn’t as strong. It would be different today

That I wasn’t as forthright in my opposition to her getting vaxxed as I am now. My opposition is stronger now with the evidence and in hindsight.

Now, I’m struggling to formulate a question here. Maybe I have a few and they go something like:

Was that a massive test for her which she failed and I’m rationalising away? Why didn’t she give me the benefit of doubt?

Was It me? Was I not strong enough at the time to put my foot down and force my will?

Is hindsight really a wonderful thing in that now we can take the lessons and live on happily ever after?

Thanks Stef

Hey Stephan. I'm a new father age 29, with a four month old son, my wife and I are happily married and we love him dearly. However I work full-time in the mining industry in outback Australia accessible only by plane. I work a two week on, two week off roster. My wife doesn't work and takes care of him full time. I've been FIFO (fly in, fly out) for years and the pay is good at 90k+ after tax but I'm concerned about the effect my absence will have on my son. I love him so much and I want to be the best father I could possibly be, is my working away too long and the cost greater than what I provide?

What are your thoughts?

Love your work and thank you.

What made the 50s so good?

How do my wife and I know when to start trying for a baby? When is the “right time” How did you and your wife figure it out?

Hi Stef. Questions you have probably answered many times before, but here it goes… In one of the recent streams, you were talking how you don’t like the word wisdom. You have said that truth is the better option. With this position, how would you explain the scene in your book Just Poor, where Knotted Bob says to the girl “Truth is not the sword to be drawn at any time” … (or similar). What was Knotted Bob displaying in this situation if not what we would usually call wisdom? How would you explain situations where it’s better to be quiet than to speak out? Thanks.