Q: I have been married for 15 years.  I have 3 children.  They are rebellious. Sit all day on the internet and watch movies.  Their mother is disobedient. The house is never clean. Food is never cooked.  We eat out everyday. Children sit on lap tops talking to boys and girls. Wife talks to every man one can possibly think of. Can I pay all the house expenses and just live separately? I am not wanting to escape my responsibilities.  I am tired of going to shieks and imaams to mediate our problems.  Jazakallah

A: A married man has certain responsibilities. A married woman has certain obligations towards her children and family. One must marry a woman that is affectionate towards children.  If you can endure and learn how to cook to give your children a good home experience, your reward would be tremendous.  Likewise, if you can clean the home and keep things tidy, you would be a good example; your children would not be given the option of calling you a possible ‘run-away-father.’

By contrast, if the above advice cannot be accepted by you and living even under the above recommended conditions would be difficult, then you may live separately while fulfilling your obligations of wife and children.  I still would recommend daily visits as an attempt to fulfilling the needs of your family in a manner that a married man is called upon to do.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.