When a partnership involves each other’s children, respecting/protecting/treating them as your own, is essential.

Hell hath no fury like the cold meanness of adult children who interfere with their parent’s love and generosity to someone important to their life. Worse, some insist on checking the parent’s will to their beloved spouse.

Forget the years of putdowns from a bully father. You’ve always been wiser than him. Still are.

We can only learn from others’ experiences if we get the information correctly.

Recognizing when an offer of help can remove tension, also strengthens your own self-confidence.

It’s rarely only one partner ‘s “fault” – not based on gender – for not saving the intimacy in their union.

Accepting others’ lifestyles honours the legal freedoms our society values, including whom we love.

Obituaries, sad for the families, shine a light beam on the adventures, achievements, and especially, the love a lifetime can bring to those who seek and honour it.

Learning’s a life process, for work and especially for close relationships.

A divorced parent’s new marriage can arouse extreme anger/fear of losing parental love and generosity.

Successful romantic relationships require ongoing intimacy and the joy of an exciting sexual connection.

Every relationship partnership faces division of shared costs, and joint vs. private savings.

Estranged siblings can reconnect, by surmounting divisive/risky family influences.

As a single young woman who unknowingly fell for a married man, be open and honest with someone who accepts who you are today.

When a relationship feels like it’s missing something, or you are, therapy can address insecurity on your part or a better understanding of love.

When a romantic partner equates “marriage” as a divorce trap/money grab, reassess the relationship.

We can be our own change-makers from angry reactors to past hurts to learning to heal our own wounds from the past.

Mothering an adult child who’s never achieved full independence or earned a living wage, takes a special skill of showing sincere interest, and encouragement that they can eventually manage without having to be told what to do.

Two strong-minded people living together must learn how to openly discuss when/whether to marry, or instead, move on.

Strengthen your own self-respect and awareness of your personal needs/goals for a lasting relationship.

If hosting a special event on a specifically-planned or limited budget, inform guests of any restrictions regarding numbers and/or potential food issues.

Divorce is harder on children when one parent’s openly blaming the other.

Denying sex within a marriage, without explanation, opens the door to at least one party walking out that door.

Relationship concerns are best aired by seeking common ground, not who’s right or wrong.

Adult sibling resentments/bullying are rarely a surprise to the family. Empathy, discussion, counselling, health assessment, all may be helpful, IF they’re tried.

Love, marriage and even sex are all perceived differently, based on people’s experiences and understanding.

Whenever there’s been love in your life, its painful loss shouldn’t surprise. They’re hallmarks of what a life has been.

When family members clash in a shared business, an equitable, legal solution is better than ending all family connections.

How a relationship partner spends their “free night out” with specific friends only, can be great fun, or isolating for the other.

Think of your future as desired goals that you can work towards, not instant decisions on what roles you’ll adopt.

If your relationship/marriage has proven loving and trusting, don’t let past bad experiences haunt you.

Finances/upbringing may differ, but a relationship thrives best between equals.

You’ll recognize who’s your potential partner among those you date, when you know which person you’d miss too much.

Teenagers rebelling against their parents’ divorce/new relationships, need supportive re-assurance of being still loved/connected to parents.

Stay with your important goals to end reliance on those who’ve been emotionally abusive and still trigger hurtful memories.

The second time around with your “first love” should hopefully be deeper, wiser, more certain, more mature, and far more lasting.

Your spousal relationship should be the most decisive factor regarding divorce… not who gets the proceeds of a house sale.

A parent’s death can shake stability and self-confidence. Grief counselling helps to regain perspective.

Marital disagreements are not unusual. Learning to manage them respectfully and leave them behind, is essential for a relationship to remain loving.

Sibling feuds are emotionally draining, difficult to reverse. Regarding a complex unfairness issue, seek legal help.

When divorce upends a child’s life, the remaining parent at home must seek counselling help before moving in someone new.

When a very close friend distances from personal contact with you, for reasons unknown, don’t jump to conclusions. Give him/her the benefit of the doubt.

Supporting an adult child’s major decisions is how parents and offspring stay connected.

Humour is a gift to yourself and others, but not to those it also mocks/hurts.

“Mean Girls” was a 2004 movie. In 2020, no one should tolerate a “friend’s” repeated meanness.

For a partner with painful past memories of witnessing abuse, conflict is a trigger. Therapy CAN help, if it’s wanted.

Call greater interest in a “friend” than being with a spouse, an affair – emotional/selfish/unfair.

Don’t let unhappy memories determine your present choices. Avoid discussing them with critics.

Don’t be fierce to just prove a point… be “fierce” in what you care most about and the values you uphold.

After a divorce, both ex-spouses are still their kids’ parents. New partners should accept this naturally.