To be part of a mature, equal relationship, you need to know your own goals and standards.

When someone says they’re not ready for a serious relationship, pay attention.

Online dating can be successful IF you go into it with self-assurance, caution, and standards you won’t compromise.

Meeting cheating with cheating blows up any remaining hope.

When close people exhibit alcoholic chaos, avoid or limit contact, and pursue supportive therapy and people. 

Never be ashamed of poverty. Instead, determine to gain skills to improve your life.

Giving children love and encouragement is the greatest gift.

A major life goal shouldn’t be overridden by an early and uncommitted relationship.

People who “don’t deserve happiness with you” are often keeping their options open.

Post-affair counselling sometimes needs a second boost.

Enabling an addicted person, who doesn’t help himself, damages your own self-image.

When a partner treats your place in his life too casually, speak up.

Do NOT contact a spouse’s ex-lover; it only roils up emotions on all sides.

When you miss someone, try to woo him/her back.

Infidelity often has a reason that needs to be explored, rather than punished.

Be honest and clear about why you’re weighing divorce against staying unhappy.

When you keep getting the same shabby treatment, talk to a professional about why you accept it.

Any form of infidelity, or disloyalty to a partner, is hurtful to the relationship.  

When a newlywed strays, the reason is likely more important than the behaviour.

When a relative’s toxic, cut contact and enjoy healthy ties with others.

“Crush” fantasies can re-heat an existing relationship.

Don’t let rejection define your experiences. Move on, having learned to create your future. 

Excess drinking that leads to disturbing events requires the drinker’s self-control, not blaming others. 

Cheating has consequences that can’t be easily “justified.”

Great sex with ex-Mr. Wrong is only worth a fantasy, to bring home to Mr. Right.

Marital problems that are specific call for a mutual look at solutions, not resentment, or criticism.

Love isn’t enough if there’s repeated shabby treatment and disrespect.

Anxieties about risking a relationship can destroy its chances. 

Re-building a relationship after a difficult past requires getting re-acquainted. 

After an infidelity, both sides need healing, in order for staying together to work.

When handling ongoing complex issues, take time to be certain of your new relationship.  

Save time in a relationship for maintaining close family/friendship connections.

In cases of past abuse, support and therapy are essential for positive change.

When dating, avoid rigid goals before knowing the person longer.

When someone’s taking financial advantage of a close relative, intervene.

Making up to friends for past misdeeds is the right thing to do when possible.

Once committed to someone, online erotic communication with others must stop. 

Online dating requires early caution, and avoiding unrealistic expectations.

Confront a tough relationship with logical solutions, or face the reality that it’s over.

When an ex’es words haunt your thoughts, deal with your marriage’s reality.

No one should accept living in a miserable relationship with no improvement in sight.

Too much parental generosity can divide a couple, instead of helping them.

If your partner’s cheated on you, staying together usually requires a full counselling process, to make changes and rebuild trust.

Resolve resentments for long-held family rift and neglect that’s affecting the marriage.  

Couples who sleep apart need to agree, or find solutions to the divide.

If a former stepparent was/is a good role model, contact should NOT be blocked, without serious reasons. 

Healthy relationships provide support for a partner when needed, and allow for both persons’ equality and independence. 

When two elephants in the room block connection, at least one needs to leave.

Children need time and help accepting their divorced parent’s new partner.

Long-distance relationships only last over time if there’s been a baseline of connection in person.