Posts By: Barb Godin

Barb Godin

Barbara Godin is a graduate of Athabasca University. She writes the “”Dear Barb” and the “Women of Interest” columns. As well, Barb has written many personal interest stories and enjoys connecting with others through her writing. She has been writing for The Voice since 2003.

If you enjoy reading Dear Barb, you can also purchase her curated collection, Dear Barb: Answers to Everyday Questions at her website, http://www.barbgodin.com.

Dear Barb—The Difficulty with Divorce

Dear Barb: I want a divorce, but my husband doesn’t and I don’t know what to do!  We have been married for seven years and have two beautiful children.  I just don’t feel the love for my husband any longer.  We have been growing apart and rarely do anything together.  We are almost like a… Read more »

Women of Interest—Mary Agnes Snively

Mary Agnes Snively was born on November 12, 1847, in St Catharines Ontario and died 85 years later on September 26, 1933.  She never married nor had children.  Snively was an educator and a nurse who was known as the “Mother of Nurses in Canada.” After graduating high school Snively taught for almost twenty years. … Read more »

Ray

Ray was my brother-in-law for over fifty years.  He passed away on my birthday this year. When I heard he was in the hospital and things were not looking good I kept thinking, “not on my birthday, I don’t want to have to live with this memory.” Ray was a special person.  I know everyone… Read more »

Women of Interest—Emma Gonzalez

Emma Gonzalez is a survivor of a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018 that killed 17 people and injured several more.  Emma became a gun control activist and cofounded the gun control advocacy group “Never Again MSD.” Emma was born November 11, 1999 and has two older siblings. … Read more »

Dear Barb—Coming Out for the Holidays

Dear Barb: Merry Christmas! I am a gay guy in my early twenties.  I recently came out to my family and they reacted better than I thought they would.  Although my dad seems a little distant, my mom is pretty good with it.  I am one of three siblings.  My brother and sister are married… Read more »

Dear Barb—Stolen Friendship

Dear Barb: I work part time in an office and a good friend of mine also works there. We have been friends for 10 years and get along great. We both applied for jobs at the same place and we were so surprised that we both got in. I am a mother of two young… Read more »

Dear Barb—Teen Trouble

Dear Barb: Hi, I’m a single mother of a teenage daughter who I had when I was quite young.  Her father did not want to be included in her life, but he has financially contributed to her care throughout the years.  I have always heard people talk about how difficult teenagers are, but I was… Read more »

Dear Barb—In Defense of Marriage

Dear Barb: My husband and I have been married 15 years and we keep having this recurring problem. He is from a big loving, close family. I have always felt like an outsider with my in-laws but I’m not sure they do it on purpose.  What really drives me crazy is when my in-laws are… Read more »

Dear Barb—All Manners of Twins

Dear Barb: Hi, my sister has 2-year-old twin girls.  Ever since they were born, my sister has dressed them identically.  I don’t think that is a good idea. How will they ever establish their own identity?  I have talked to my sister about this, but she says, twins are supposed to be dressed the same. … Read more »

Dear Barb—Sick of the Sickness

Dear Barb: I work in an office with about 15 other people. We all get along well for the most part. My issue is people coming to work when they are sick. Why would someone do that and end up making everyone else sick? Two weeks ago our receptionist came in coughing and sneezing, so… Read more »