this could probably go in the Children board as well, but here is a summary:

(First of all, since I am not a mother, it's hard for me to identify, so I thought I'd go to my trusted boomer gals for input!)

Sister, age 51, married 20 years to a foreigner. They live in his country.

Two kids, girl age almost 17, boy 15.

Sister and DH had troubles
DH did not really want kids, but had them.
Sister lost love for DH. He is cold, emotionless, tough...just like his dad.
Sister said way too much about husband and their relationship to kids.
Now, kids are upset w/mom for not leaving Dad.
Son will NOT go to school, despite counseling and does not tell anyone why he will not go.
Now, sister and her husband are trying to "act" like they are ok (for the kids' sake) when the kids know differently.
Husband is trying to be nice and talk to kids,but we are afraid that Mom (my sis)said too much, ruining his chances to "make nice".

Hope this makes sense. My sis feels badly that she said too much, but I told her I've done that, too. I think she just needed somone to talk to and considered her kids as "friends" instead.

How can one help? I told her the best we can do is pray and allow God to do His thing. We tend to want to do TOO much, therefore resulting in doing or saying the wrong thing!

Any advice please??