Allow time for grief before making important decisions.

A serious relationship needs more common goals than defying your parents.

Staying in a child’s life is a goal worth every effort.

In a separation, know your rights and responsibilities.

Accept your true sexual identification and be honest with a desired partner.

Deal with a loss for its own sake, rather than lump all hurts together.

Spouses should introduce their partners to their opposite-sex friends.

It’s unfair to yourself (and your family) not to seek professional help for depression that occurs monthly.

Distrust and fear are destructive to any sense of partnership.

When a couple’s dynamic includes control/dependency, plus drugs and alcohol, abuse will very likely follow.

A new year brings new beginnings, so seize the positive energy.

Start your New Year with honesty, courage, and determination.

Don’t accept second-rate “friends-with-benefits” when you feel and want love.

“Gross” sexual demands and control of a teenager raise alarms to RUN and call police.

When a partner’s lifestyle-change request clashes with your basic values, stay true to yourself.

“Play-fighting” risks a relationship when it’s really about power more than fun.

Wishing all my readers good health, peace, and the joys of the season!

Pursuing a career while sustaining a relationship is workable, if understanding and love prevail.

Forgiveness can be healthy, so long as you’re secure and strong.

After the shock of a spouse’s betrayal through a “second family,” healing starts with counselling to vent anger and pain.

Differing sex drives can be accommodated, but not by anger, pressure, or resentment.

A relationship based on risks and control will always feel uncomfortable and scary. Know that you can do better.

When a breakup’s final, choose life instead of perpetual grief.

Stay positive about your self-worth and finding the love you want.

Being “clingy” in a long-distance relationship reveals insecurity and even suspicions. Back off excess contact and questions.

Even close friends sometimes disappoint, by disregarding your hurtful “story” after time has passed.

Readiness to believe an affair without any evidence, is about the relationship, not the truth.

In a nasty family situation, the direct relative must stand up for his/her spouse.

When friendship relies on the favours you provide, set firm boundaries.

In-laws can’t intrude as easily if you don’t share couple discussions and problems with them.

When someone’s maligned by in-laws, the related partner needs to speak up with support.

Don’t risk losing a close friendship and others’ respect for just a “crush.”

When secrecy and insults create jealousy and insecurity, counselling’s crucial.

When a young relationship interferes with growing independence and striving for goals, move on.

Changes in sex routines plus sexual therapy can improve satisfaction for couples with different sex drives.

A partner’s periodic hard times doesn’t justify your having an affair.

Sometimes it’s better to take a supportive break while a loved one gets help to fight personal demons.

Casual sex lacks the emotional connection that a real relationship provides.

When closeness with ex-lovers upsets your current relationship, be a team player, or risk being alone.

Respect others’ secrets if you want to maintain smooth relationships.

When someone’s control and anger becomes “scary,” make a safe plan to leave.

Raising healthy well-adjusted children requires encouragement and love, not fears about non-sexual touch.

Positive encouragement is most helpful after you’ve acknowledged another’s discomforts and/or fears.

When everything’s going “wrong,” probe your own attitudes.

Online flirting can be misleading, so respect a partner’s feelings if you’re carrying it too far.

When a friend’s divorce causes distance, it often takes time to try to repair the friendship.

Don’t accept an open sexual relationship to please another’s needs, if they’re not your own.

If you accept a double standard on privacy early in a relationship, you’ll be stuck with it, and regret it.

A change for one partner affects the other, sometimes disrupting the relationship.

When a marriage is faltering, couples’ therapy can help both sides handle it better, with dignity.