Yeah, though eventually if your lady comes to you with her problems and you offer solutions, she'll start to think you don't think she's intelligent -- that she can't handle her own problems. When women talk about problems like that, they're not looking for solutions. This sounds a little ridiculous to men -- we think if you've got a problem, it looks like you're looking for a solution....but women talk about that stuff because they want you to know they're under some pressure, that they're special because they're dealing with this stuff and nobody takes the time out to realize who she is and all the bullshit she has to deal with in her life. As far as putting her "in her place" to control the situation, it make be better, after you just can't manage being sympathetic and not offering solutions any longer, to try to gently steer the conversation to more positive areas -- something that might be fun for you and her as a much needed vacation from all that bullshit.