Dear Mariella
Mariella Frostrup, the Observer's agony aunt, offers words of wisdom
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Follow your ambitions, Mariella Frostrup sympathises, but maybe look for a little career insurance too
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Ghosting is on the rise, says Mariella Frostrup, so take heart, you’re not alone
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You can have a good life without a high-flying career and material gains – but it’s wise to give yourself options, says Mariella Frostrup
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A woman fears her relationship is in danger of collapsing into petty squabbles, says Mariella Frostrup
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A grandmother who was closely involved in her grandson’s care says their relationship has been diluted since the child’s parents split acrimoniously
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A man, 30, is trying to leave his needy girlfriend. Mariella Frostrup sympathises with him calling it quits
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An Indian woman who had children with a Jamaican has been alienated by her father. Mariella Frostrup recommends trying for a reconciliation
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A woman who is progressing in her career has hit a wall with the menopause. Mariella Frostrup advocates investigating HRT to challenge the difficult symptoms
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A daughter both resents and appreciates her mother. Mariella Frostrup suggests that she explain her feelings
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A twice-divorced man wants his children and partner to be together at family occasions. Mariella Frostrup says a harmoniously blended family is something that needs to be worked at
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A woman debates swallowing her pride to encourage a relationship between her kids and her rude mother-in-law. Mariella Frostrup recommends accepting her help
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A woman is unsettled by her boyfriend being unfaithful. Mariella Frostrup says she should call him out on his bad behaviour
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A woman feels guilty about her relationship with her friend’s old partner. Mariella Frostrup says she needn’t – and should focus on restoring her friendship
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A reader’s widowed father is not being open about his new relationships. Mariella Frostrup says that he isn’t under any obligation to share these details
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A woman says her partner’s family are excluding her. Mariella Frostrup says everyone is being immature
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A woman wants more commitment from her boyfriend. The imbalances in their relationship ring alarm bells for Mariella Frostrup
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A 25-year-old is tempted by the idea of going on holiday separately from his girlfriend. Mariella Frostrup questions his level of commitment to their relationship
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An exhausted mother feels guilty about how she’s raising her son. Mariella Frostrup encourages her to have fun with him
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A woman is concerned that her husband is texting a female colleague too much. Mariella Frostrup suggests she expends her energies on something other than opening her husband’s phone bills
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My partner is detached, angry and frigid, says a miserable husband. Mariella Frostrup wonders whether the ‘feminist dragon’ he paints is real
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A woman finds that she and her husband now disagree over just about everything except Friday night curries. Mariella Frostrup says that where there’s squabbling, there’s hope
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The obsessive way a woman’s husband works out in the gym and at home is affecting both their lives. Mariella Frostrup says it’s a modern phenomenon
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A woman thinks her partner’s online activities are preventing him from being intimate in real life. Mariella Frostrup says he needs to realise sex isn’t a spectator sport
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A man is tempted to find other women who will fulfill the sexual desires his wife won’t. Mariella warns that it could put his relationship in jeopardy…
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A woman who inherited her father’s house wonders how to share running costs with her man. Mariella Frostrup says it’s about maintaining a sense of equality
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A betrayed wife is struggling with her and her young daughters’ emotions. Mariella Frostrup says there’s hope for a new future
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A woman recalls the sex crime committed against her as an eight-year-old. Mariella Frostrup praises her courage, and salutes her achievement as a survivor
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What better time to address the intelligence defeating, rationality obliterating emotional surge we call love, than St Valentine’s Day?
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A 17-year-old came out to his friends but not his family, and the worry has been affecting him for years. Mariella Frostrup advocates honesty
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A man who’s thinking of divorce hesitates because of the children. Mariella Frostrup suggests thinking about how a marriage can evolve and adapt
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A couple who lost a child find some people hurtful in their responses. Mariella Frostrup suggests not being judgmental of others, or themselves
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A woman often lies awake imagining various scenarios. Mariella Frostrup advocates getting into the right headspace
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A man is wondering whether to move to Sweden to be with his lover, who has a husband and children. Mariella Frostrup suggests he stays put
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A young teen who is more academic than social feels isolated. Mariella Frostrup urges her to put her fluctuating hormones and feelings into context
My friends have all grown up but I still want to party