The Cycle of the Gift: Family Wealth and Wisdom

Chapter 5

Spouses

Many people think of giving as a binary affair, involving a giver and a recipient. But in families, much giving comes not from a single giver but from givers, especially a husband and wife.

What follows are our thoughts, based on many experiences, about how to talk with your spouse about giving to family members. This process begins with self-reflection and self-knowledge, the mindfulness that underlies all productive communication. We also offer special considerations for couples who have blended their families or who are facing the prospect of prenuptial conversations (either for themselves or for their children). We suggest as well some thoughts about managing the dynamics of a relationship in which partners bring unequal ...