A rocky, stressful marriage? Look first at reasons on both sides, through counseling, before considering leaving.

When a partner sneakily changes a legal agreement, trust is lost and the relationship damaged.

A co-worker “friend only” who’s sexually teasing you, is playing mind-games you need to end.

A young grandchild with family and behaviour problems especially needs loving encouragement, not distance.

Withholding affection while promising more in a relationship is a control tactic. And a red flag.

Don’t push for a new relationship with someone who’s still suffering trauma from the last one.

Waiting alone for a future with your married lover? Focus on yourself, instead.

Don’t accept repeated angry outbursts and meanness from a partner. Insist on him/her getting anger management therapy or leaving.

An adult “crush” obvious among work colleagues can be self-defeating. Focus on your strengths for greater self-confidence.

Don’t wait too long when dating to confide a personal illness. It can be seen as deceit.

Single and hooked on a lying cheater? Rescue yourself because he/she won’t change.

When a dating/relationship partner uses controlling and mean behaviour, take a long enough break to assess the whole relationship.

Let time and counselling help you absorb devastating events before making dramatic, difficult moves.

Harassment of an ex’es next partner calls for strong boundaries, period.

No sex, little agreement, no equality, just arguments, adds up to a negative relationship with pressing reasons to move on.

When a cheater keeps expecting he/she will be forgiven, the behaviour will not change.

Sex, if it’s your only connection to a married person, is a self-indulgent excuse for cheating on someone else’s unknowing partner.

Past relationships needn’t define you. They can make you wiser, more selective, and more ready for a happy future.

Barring physical or emotional abuse, marriage is worth the time/effort of counselling, until you’re certain it isn’t.

Raising a child without a partner requires commitment and responsibility for years ahead.

Past loves from younger years are part of life experience. Re-charge your self-confidence to move forward.

If a past decision led to long-lasting love and happiness, current regrets are self-defeating.

If you’re the only one adapting to a loved one’s habits/tastes/activities, it’s a one-way give, not compromise.

If you keep going around in circles in the way you respond to life’s experiences, you get no farther ahead in understanding, wisdom and personal growth.

When a relationship’s unchanging, unacceptable negatives outweigh all the positives, end it.

Beware of love-bombing flattery and manipulation that leads towards control.

Advise teenagers that internet posts live on. But let them learn some lessons (barring risk of legal and physical danger).

The silent treatment often speaks volumes about a relationship ending, without ever being discussed.

Getting engaged is meant to be a public promise, not a stalling tactic. Don’t play fast and loose with your loved one’s patience.

Living with a perpetual cheater? Show him/her the door.

When to have sex with a new man? When you’re comfortable with your decision.

Caregiving is a full-time mission of responsibility for someone else’s needs. Take advantage of every possible community service and assistance.

A close relationship between brothers or sisters can provide needed support, by understanding/avoiding difficulties with the sibling’s spouse.

A relationship that one partner won’t acknowledge openly, will disappoint and hurt the other.

Divorce is tough on everyone involved. Parents and children can adjust but it takes time, effort, maturity, compassion for all.

Clear your possessions from an ex-partner’s home, ASAP. Delays complicate both approaches and reactions.

Don’t use a crisis affecting a divorced partner’s children, as the opportunity to push for marriage.

In some marriages, living without warmth or loving touch can be too lonely to warrant staying together.

Family sometimes makes too many demands. But showing your interest/support in small ways can help.

It isn’t a romantic “relationship” until both of you agree it is.

Don’t let a lover’s frozen emotions destroy your own openness, hopes, and future. Move on.

When a couple’s disagreement over one partner’s behaviour persists, and discussion and sex/intimacy end, their union (and family) are at risk of separation.

Sexual fantasies can enhance a couple’s relationship if shared. Acting on them secretly with others is just cheating.

Declaring mutual love with a married person is a step towards a family’s breakup, no matter how much you insist otherwise.

Harassment is unacceptable, worrisome, potentially dangerous. If it persists, seek legal and/or police help.

If a partner’s control creates isolation/depression, plan a safe exit, reach out to any family, and/or call police.

Boost online dating efforts by also meeting people and talking in person.

Romantic relationships kept secret for financial reasons, signals that person’s value of money more than of love.

If a friend’s partner expresses unwanted romantic feelings for you, give the couple time and space to re-connect without you.

A big lie may have a solid excuse, but it can only be forgiven once.