Second “families” don’t automatically embrace each other as close relatives; it takes time and understanding on all sides.

Never ignore suicidal threats; treat them as a call for more intensive help.

Unfounded accusations against a spouse eventually erode trust and love on both sides.

A wedding should be a time of celebration and family harmony; look for positive ways to achieve this.

If you can’t have a real conversation, there’s little point in sharing a meal.

Propose when the relationship is ready, not just to nail it.

The charitable instinct is greatly needed in our society; develop your own, proudly.

Holding back in a relationship, leaves the future up to the other party.

When an adult child has marital problems, being supportive will help more than criticizing.

Distance yourself from those who make poor choices, while relying on you for rescue.

A couple who stay together after one spouse’s affair, need openness and hard work, not distance and denial.

When sex is rejected early in a marriage, it’s an alarm bell to resolve, or re-consider.

Basing your feelings on others’ gossip, instead of finding out for yourself, produces only confusion.

For a relationship to grow and last, you need to develop full intimacy and trust.

When a partner finds fitness and fun, it’s a lot healthier to join, than to brood with resentment.

When one partner’s watching porn includes repeated efforts at cheating, virtually and real, the risk to marriage is huge.

“Telling the wife” is usually an excuse for getting revenge on someone, not an honest desire to help.

One true adult friendship is a treasure; to “mine” it requires an open mind, plus planning and time.

Insecurity in a relationship is often a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Indulging rudeness over gifts is hurtful not only to the giver, but to the recipients too.

When all your relationships feel negative, consider examining your own part, through counselling.

When a relationship is pushed with too much speed or risk, expect alarm bells, not wedding chimes.

When a partner’s appearance dramatically worsens, there are bigger problems beneath the image.

When you involve parents full-time in your childcare, it’s had to exclude them in your childrearing.

Affairs with a married person usually end up with at least one very hurt outsider, and it’s rarely the cheater.

The newly single need to approach dating again slowly, and with an open mind.

Retirement is a transition couples need to discuss and plan ahead.

Making moves beyond a one-sided office crush can ruin both the office AND home relationships.

When stepparents do all the work of raising children, their feelings as parents count for more than biology.

Future in-laws can’t be expected to be co-operative, if your plans are secretive.

No adult child should let a parent badmouth their spouse, without speaking up and warning of consequences.

Loving a friend deeply doesn’t mean it easily translates into a  romantic connection.

Porn can disturb some relationships, if it’s a contentious issue.

When a spouse’s addiction has become entrenched, you need information and professional help to handle it.

When in-laws try to hijack a wedding, their adult child must take control with an ultimatum: accept reality, or stay home.

After a partner’s affair, you need to know the WHY, not the WHAT of it.

A baby requires new co-operation between a couple, not just diaper changes.

Lies are like quicksand in a relationship – you never know when and where they’ll sink it.

Dating, gay or straight, requires the same start: knowing what’s essential about the other person.

Inappropriate dependency between a father and daughter can impede her future relationships.

Sometimes life throws a wild curve that the strong need to bend towards.

Dragging your feet into a marriage creates a stumbling block for both partners.

When faced with major decisions, young people need encouragement.

Mistrust and badgering ring death knells to hopes for a healthy relationship.

Secret “dates” are a set-up for affairs, period.

For dating to be enjoyable and successful, you have to be open and non-judgmental about meeting people.

A crummy second marriage isn’t a life sentence, either.

When being the Rescuer becomes a burden, re-think the role.

A visiting in-law sometimes has to be helped to respect the rights of adult children.

Only a true “loser” turns marriage into a competition instead of a partnership.