I'm a mother with three girls – a teenager and two eight-year-olds.

I think my husband loves me way too much, e.g. in front of my kids, he always kisses me. And every day we take a shower together, and have a very sexy relationship. I’m proud that he loves me so much.

But I’m scared that our sex relationship might affect my kids.

Will it?

- Showered With Love

You need to find a healthy balance between demonstrating a loving relationship as a model for your children, without overexposing them to sexual behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.

A teenage daughter is especially vulnerable to being disturbed by parents’ sexual activity, since it’s a time when she’s trying to handle her own hormonal urges and learning to set personal limits related to sex.

Tell Hubby how much you love him, and how happy you are to be intimate behind closed doors. But explain that your shared task of raising three daughters to womanhood includes the responsibility to be open about love, and private about passion.

I’ve been an alcoholic for 10 years, recently seeking treatment, which has finally begun to be positive for me.

My girlfriend of three years ago has seen me at my worst - jailed for intoxication, overdosing, impaired driving. She gave me an ultimatum to change or lose her; therefore I’ve decided to change but for myself only and have placed her and her problems in my back pocket.

She‘s a single Mom with three children, who’s still controlled by her ex.

When we first met I had things under control; then, the additional stress began to take me to my old ways.

I’ve asked her to dream and visualize where she wants to be in 5 to 10 years, and "we" do not seem to be in the picture.

I worry that my changes came too late. I’m prepared that I’ve already lost her, and we’re holding on to threads.

How can I walk away without her being hurt or me?

I love her very much but I cannot go through her mood swings anymore. I also feel that I may’ve let her down one too may times.

Should I just leave?

- Hanging On

It’s understandable that you want to save yourself from slipping back, once you’re on a positive path to sobriety. And you should save yourself, now that you know you can. But that doesn’t mean you have to “just leave” your relationship with her, without helping her understand that it’s the way she can improve her own life.

Currently, you’re both people with serious problems, needing change and self-empowerment; but your union so far has been one of co-dependency, instead. Each of you needs to work through your own troubles and obstacles, without being dragged down by those of the other.

Present your coming to a parting on this basis, rather than as a rejection of her, or by just walking out the door.

Hopefully, you’ll encourage her to get professional help just as you’ve done by getting treatment.

When does “enough is enough” apply to a cheater who’s your spouse?

- Fed Up

When you’re “fed up,” and your spouse doesn’t care, it’s time to make sure that you and your children don’t become “victims” of the cheater’s self-indulgent pattern. This applies whether it’s a husband or wife who’s playing fast and loose with family life.

Get a lawyer and learn your rights regarding support and custody matters.

Recently, I decided to dispose of a Gucci watch I hadn’t been wearing. My close friend agreed to wear it, try to sell it, and we’d split the profit. If not sold after six months, I said she could keep it.

Later, my adult daughter said she’d wanted it.

When I asked my friend to return it, she alternately refused, said she’d thought it would be hers, threatened to make a scene, etc. I wasn’t surprised as I knew her well, but this time she really showed low character.

Should I continue my friendship with her?

- Time Out

First, apologize to your friend for misleading her, since you should’ve known she’d want the Gucci gift.

Also, know yourself and your daughter better – she wants your fancy cast-offs, and it’s clear you’d like her to have them.

Meanwhile, you can maintain your friendship, if you think ahead before making “deals.”