Threatened divorce? Ask questions, then get legal advice, individual counselling and personal support.

Don’t ruin a great business partnership by pushing emotions that aren’t reciprocated.

A romantic crush can be fun so long as it doesn’t become obsessive, with unrealistic expectations.

A repeatedly abusive partner who takes advantage financially? Make a private, safe plan to end the relationship. Involve police if necessary.

Repeated angry outbursts and blaming signal that a relationship needs honest discussion and/or counselling.

Neighbourhood sex-noise issues can be extra-awkward to address, so start with what you can fix yourself.

#MeToo reveals the pain of someone trying to use and abuse you.

When another’s grudges affect your relationship with your own children, choose your kids over unreasonable anger and demands.

Expressing “love” after only a few dates may be more about someone’s wants/needs than a truly deep emotional commitment.

When your circle of friends is small (including ex’es), gossip can blow it apart.

When someone goes to jail, the spouse and children also live a form of hard time, emotionally.

Answer a cry for help swiftly, and ready to listen without questioning.

When a dating relationship appears problematic, state your concerns and boundaries.

When marital fights include depression/suicidal threats, get therapy fast and alert the person’s doctor.

When a spouse decides unilaterally to separate, get legally and financially informed, fast.

A wedding should include generosity of thought regarding each other’s children from previous relationships.

“Manly” men are decent and honest in relationships.

Being controlled financially calls for getting legal/financial advice.

If you don’t identify and curb your impulses to text or make moves in a cheating manner, you’ll mess up your relationships that matter most.

Divorce is never easy, almost always hard on children, but staying in a miserable or abusive marriage is equally difficult.

Accepting frequent conflict isn’t worth the help you receive if you can provide for yourself.

Not speaking is never a helpful way to resolve hurt feelings in a relationship (except to briefly calm down).

Tolerating a bully’s behaviour gives permission for the bullying tactics to continue.

Crushes can be private feelings to enjoy personally, but not to share unless there’s a clear, mutual connection.

Be alert to what’s motivating a partner whose behaviour changes, and when someone’s coming on too strong too soon.

The most important decisions between a couple cannot be arbitrary. It breaks trust and creates emotional distance.

When a potential partner’s “torn” between you and another, taking a break forces a decision.

A jealous and/or insecure spouse (male OR female) may distrust a partner, even over platonic friendships with the opposite sex.

Hounding someone about false mistrust is sure to sour whatever’s good in the relationship.

The most believable way to prove you’ve changed bad behaviour is to do it more than talk about it.

Get support and comfort from people who believe you. Ignore those who can’t accept the truth.

When a loved one’s life is failing, deal with only essential chores, at the least cost and worry, and let the authorities handle negative comments/threats.

Don’t bring (almost) strangers to your place when alcohol or substance use fogs your awareness.

Regret your bad behaviour? Apologize, but accept that the relationship’s over.

To love deeply requires being able to forgive. That’s when trust can return.

When you can’t discuss a partner’s decision, that’s a serious red flag.

Rejection’s tough to take, but sudden breakups can happen for reasons having little to do with you.

Having friends with different sexual identities doesn’t change the social norms for respecting each other’s families.

Children/youth whose self-identity and anxieties are in a turbulent state, need informed parents determinedly seeking medical and psychological support for them.

Do the work of trying to grow your relationship through professional help, instead of letting toxic interference destroy your marriage.

A deeply-upset, distanced adolescent needs gentle outreach and ongoing counselling, to discover her hurts/fears and start to re-connect.

Talk to a sibling about perceived problems before moving to intervene directly in his/her relationship.

Over-scheduled, stress-inducing lifestyles can lead to making regrettable “escapist” mistakes.

Grandparents can be helpful to parents on early child-rearing but must show sensitivity and respect.

A good, secure parent-child relationship should be the goal of both divorced parents.

Can a mother-daughter relationship survive partnering in business? Get clear agreements ahead, then co-operate and compromise.

Moving on from a loved one’s loss takes time and your own permission to let grief rest.

Relationships can’t thrive on a one-way street.

The reasons for having a baby should be positive for both parents.

Fearing for a grandchild’s protection? Consult a counsellor, lawyer and/or children’s services.