A man who helps a female friend conceive a child, must consider his responsibility in that child’s life.

Divorcing parents must try hard over years to help children adjust, while acknowledging their pain and loss and reassuring them of continued love.

When married people secretly use dating apps, they’re “cheating” on their partners before even making contact with someone.

Changing one partner’s role in a household arrangement that’s been accepted for years, takes tact, sensitivity, relevant information, and time (barring an emergency).

Sibling rivalry’s common in youngsters. But successful grownups should do better by being generous of spirit.

For any loving relationship to endure, both partners must try to work out together how to handle any serious challenges.

When you have a strong urge to do something helpful for others, follow the combined urgings of your heart and mind.

Divorce hurts kids. Both parents must try hard to help heal them.

Don’t let negative self-images and mental health issues stunt your life. Seek professional counselling online, or through referral.

Pressures felt during emotion-laden family events can become disruptive. Reach out to find ways to communicate and regroup.

Face the future instead of the past when seeking a healthy, honest relationship.

Grief is a process that can lead to renewed purpose/hope for your life ahead.

Follow your heart and mind on making major life changes but first learn the most significant adjustments involved.

Stress and anger can destroy a relationship unless there’s serious effort at discussion and compromise, and/or counselling including anger management if needed.

Enter a new friendship thoughtfully, respecting the other’s start of a new life.

A past indiscretion that didn’t “cheat” on anyone else, should be left in the past.

Children need time to adjust to someone “new” in a parent’s life.

Sometimes a love story is just that. Be grateful if and when it happens to you.

Confessing lesbian feelings for a woman friend means being true to oneself.

Regular mood changes over years calls for a medical check and possibly for psychotherapy. Supporting a spouse through this shows true partnership.

However, the Blue Jays perform in the playoffs, they’re a beloved part of Toronto’s annual summer dreams.

When a partner’s poor health habits affect the whole family, be the better model for your children while you encourage self-care.

Don’t accept ongoing shaming and rejection. Insist on discussion, counselling or legal separation.

Living single by choice is not a barrier to a meaningful life.

Overcoming years of physical/emotional abuse, requires therapy and support, for love to be trusted.

Reach out for the help you need immediately. Living with suspicions/fears is harmful to everyone.

You can stay positive if you consider your combined life experiences as helpful clues in assessing the true character of others.

When a divorced couple decide to remarry each other, they’ve hopefully grown into a wiser, matured, loving partnership.

Married life and parenting require both partners adapting to the new needs and realities while staying connected.

In a troubled union, seeking counselling early can help the couple see if there’s hope or not for their marriage.

Equality between partners is not a sometime thing.

When a family rift extends even to ignoring young children, the bitterness will stain all members except those who recognize they must walk away.

An extra-marital affair will fade under pressure from one side. Either the other person has reasons to leave his/her marriage, or it was just a fling.

Sharing your personal experiences on related issues with letter writer’s seeking advice makes this column a richer conversation.

Thinking a Friends-With-Benefits relationship is simple?  Discuss what each of you expects from it, the “rules” to establish, and whether your “friend” is having sex with others, too.

If a sexual fetish bothers your partner, discussion’s essential if the relationship is to last.

Being someone else’s cottage guest is a privilege, not a shareholder’s say in deciding who else can come along.

A child’s death is a parent’s worst nightmare, no matter the nature of their relationship.

Even close friendships can be rent apart by insensitivity, inner anxieties.

Let adult children of divorce decide about contact with the “other” parent.

When love instantly hits you over the head, look closely at who’s wielding the blow.

Want a personal “fresh start?” Try boosting your physical, emotional and mental health through guided exercise, therapy and growing self-confidence.

When strongly opposing views on the pandemic’s life-or-death risks become distressing, take a break from contact and discussion.

Helping a friend summon courage to reveal facts that could end her engagement, is kindness. Revealing her story yourself is gossiping.

When a once-close friend’s only greeting is competitive bragging, it’s time to move on.

Dating after years spent in a marriage or long relationship, requires learning technology skills at making new contacts and online assessments.

Sexual fantasies are normal and healthy, if both parties benefit from them.

Besides two sides to every story, readers’ feedbacks provide further possibilities.

In a relationship crisis, silence achieves nothing.

When everything signals a complicated relationship with many stresses, protect your own child, and wait till your boyfriend solves his problems.