Repeated emotional abuse can destroy a marriage, drive families apart and scar the children.

Follow experts’ advice and support relatives’ efforts to stay healthy through the pandemic.

If a close friend shows signs of insecurity plus jealousy of you, avoid triggering her/his anxieties.

Friendships sometimes end when one party needs to deal privately with tough family situations.

If a friend’s partner comes-on inappropriately, walk away.

A separate short-term vacation can benefit parents and kids, if handled supportively.

When divorce causes children ongoing distress, they need reassurance of being loved, not being at fault. They may also need therapy.

It’s worth a try to give true love a chance.

When an ex-spouse’s relationship may threaten a sensitive child’s stability, get counselling and support services for help.

Women in abusive relationships need courage/support to get themselves (and their children) to safety as soon as possible.

When there’s ongoing stress between two generations of women with uncertain roles,

seek solutions, not blame.

Weigh life’s risks and go forward with those for which you have passion and learned experience.

Probe through counselling why someone cheated and whether to trust him/her again.

You’re not “crazy,” he’s lying. Get counselling help.

Got a “crush”? Text messaging should be mutual, without pressure to be instant, except when in emergencies.

When a date reveals sexual quirks that turn you off, don’t doubt yourself, move on.

When your post-divorce ex is your “best friend,” almost anything is possible.

Since money can be a harsh deal-breaker, discuss issues like wills well ahead, especially where children are from previous marriages.

Abuse cannot be accepted, neither for the sake of love nor parenting. Change must be absolute or distrusted.

There’s a lot more needed in a partner, to sustain a loving relationship, than just good looks.

In a break-up, becoming “friends” doesn’t easily work for the person being rejected as a lover/partner. Proceed decently but firmly.

Red flags for narcissism in early dating include arrogance, repeated cheating, and passive-aggressive comments.

You can’t always have an ideal in-law relationship, but you can try to adjust to a different relationship that’s mutually acceptable.

Couples should openly discuss together the changes in libido caused by menopause (and/or men’s aging symptoms), to find new approaches to intimacy.

Being in love isn’t necessarily the same as loving someone.

Knowing each other longer and deeper will tell which emotion prevails.

When control/manipulation are involved in an extra-marital affair, disclosure should be directed at helping the vulnerable person involved.

Online dating requires patience and trying different approaches.

You can only “save” someone you love from unhealthy habits if/when they’re ready to change for their own benefit, not what they misinterpret as your benefit or unsolicited criticism.

Early signals of control and isolation are relationship red flags.

Act immediately to end the behaviour or leave.

Seriously seeking a life partner? Widen your social contacts.

Or try a professional match-maker’s help.

Get to know enough about the person you’re dating to build trust.

You can’t “fight fair” if you bring unhealthy/immature reactions to every dispute as a couple.

Searching for lost or unknown relatives? Prepare ahead mentally for possibly receiving uncomfortable or disappointing information.

Emotional affairs may fill a relationship gap that a couple haven’t acknowledged. But they’re as deceitful/hurtful as a physical affair.

Help a mother and you help a child.

Children need their parents to discuss, age-appropriately, the issues of the day with them, to build informed awareness and combat fears.

A good roommate relationship is valuable. Make sure any other emotions are discussed and mutually agreed.

When divorce is the choice for an unhappy, unworkable marriage, identify your positive needs/ expectations, and how to meld them with another’s if there’s a new relationship.

Narcissism’s effect on others can be harmful, especially to young people being manipulated emotionally.

Instant Love at First Sight is wonderfully magical. Taking time to build friendship/trust is wise reality.

When a relationship feels right, don’t walk away from challenges. Talk them through, try ways to adapt.

Women experiencing a difficult menopause will more likely seek advice/remedies if their partners show understanding without pressuring for sex.

When there’s a rush to intimacy and isolation – always being alone instead of meeting friends – start probing the reasons.

The message of Valentine’s Day is to keep love and partnership foremost in your relationship, beyond material gifts.

Repeatedly selfish, self-serving behaviour is emotionally hard on everyone involved.

Large weight gains/obesity often involve many factors, well beyond indulgence.

A sibling’s intrusive health-related message may have a caring intent. Worth discussing.

The best help for a deeply-grieving person is understanding and support.

Differing finances among family members can cause problems.

But friendship and thoughtfulness can ease the differences.

Don’t rush a live-in relationship before knowing solid facts, agreed plans and his/her true character.