Ghosting is a cowardly act by someone not worth your time. Never feel that it’s your fault.

Surviving Covid relies on our adaptability and staying focused on getting through it safely, together.

Don’t hide unusual flirty texts from an ex. Discuss them openly with your spouse.

Suicidal thoughts/attempts are urgent cries for help. Call a suicide hotline immediately.

Mental health disorders can tear an entire family apart. Finding the right medication and ongoing professional help for all parties, is crucial.

Relationships need to spring from mutual interest and desire, not with one party withholding a “wait-and-see” response.

Pandemic-period dating can be creative and sustaining, if safety measures are followed by everyone involved.

See a changed family situation from everyone’s view, not just your own, to still be effective as a parent.

Relationships started with “lockdown orders” either revealed the best in a new partner or the worst.

A loss of trust can happen from a seeming-small, foolish decision. Think first before you risk your relationship.

When night terrors/bizarre behaviour occur, focus on the immediate situation and seek professional guidance.

When someone faces danger, trying to help matters.

Dreaming of a past, unfulfilled relationship won’t answer your current questions and hopes. Take the first step toward knowledge.

Labelling relationship troubles as “confusing” is an excuse for doing nothing.

Children of divorce sometimes carry resentment/anger/greed into adulthood. Reach out unless it becomes unbearable.

Divorce in the time of COVID-19 adds stress to stress. Get informed/prepared, unless you/your children need to seek safety first.

Curious about friends’ divorces at 40? Look inward, then talk to your spouse about how you’re doing together.

Been dropped and blocked? Don’t confuse having sex with trusting someone before you know anything much about him/her.

Don’t stand for bullying through a verbal attack. IF you did something wrong, apologize. Then walk away.

When parents “move on” after a loss to another mutually-desired relationship, be supportive.

When a friend’s at serious risk, get involved in helping.

When young adults behave like spoiled teenagers, they’re looking for boundaries that have meaning for them.

When dating post-divorce, reassure children about their priority in your life.

In a relationship, it’s the questions you don’t ask that indicate fear of the answer, also known as distrust.

When healthy young adults overtake their parents’ home and choices, it’s time to insist they move out.

Never accept a partner’s physical abuse as something you deserved. Carefully create a safe, private plan to leave.

A new baby is a responsibility which can be joyous but requires realistic preparation.

Strange times sometimes draw couples’ closer. If you want it to last, work at it.

When a parent emotionally abandons his/her own child, there’s a sad legacy on both sides.

Adult children sometimes question parents for their own  personal reasons.

Happy July 4th US Independence Day.

Covid information is, by its nature, anxious-making. Find balance from healthy outdoor time, personal interests, safe socializing.

Boring, bad or long-banished sex between a healthy couple may become gratifying sexual pleasure, if you try a new, positive approach.

Wishing all a Happy Canada Day, with distancing and protections to assure a safe, healthy aftermath of celebrations.

Grandparents have a caring role in guiding/advising adult children, but giving orders is rarely helpful.

Childhood trauma should only be probed by a professional therapist.

In a relationship, when someone you trusted lies to you, the reason may be different from what you think.

Don’t let pandemic be an excuse for spiteful tactics regarding shared custody of children.

Marital counselling can help, if both partners listen to professional insights, and accept the therapist’s guidance toward making changes.

Living in a couple relationship requires a commitment to making it work, not just a division of who-pays-for-what and mostly looking after yourself.

Raising health-conscious children/teens is a years-long process of modelling good practices without putting constant pressure on them.

For the anti-racism movement to succeed, we must be part of the change.

Teens feeling anxiety/depressed about the pandemic can get youth-related mental health support.

If a live-in partner becomes controlling, try both separate and joint counselling help, unless you have reason to fear staying together.

In healthy relationships, it’s unnecessary to wield your standards like a sledgehammer. Live by them naturally, compromise when it benefits both.

Not all marriages will/should last. But once there’s an attempt to improve one, give it a supportive chance.

If you seek security in a changing world, search for it within your own ability to adapt.

A “ladies man” may be a player disguised as a charmer, a loving husband who appreciates quality regardless of gender, or a boy who became wary of men.

Show empathy regarding the pandemic’s restrictions on all age groups, but stay firm that we must still protect our vulnerable seniors from greater risks.

Fight jealousy’s negative emotions within yourself and learn to discuss and resolve its cause, with counselling help if needed.

Family planning discussions should include future hopes, positive thinking and current realities.