Dear Mariella
Mariella Frostrup, the Observer's agony aunt, offers words of wisdom
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Offering a shoulder to cry on is great, but being able to say no and turning off your phone are just as important, says Mariella Frostrup
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The path to fame and fortune is no easy ride, says Mariella Frostrup. That’s the best lesson parents can pass on
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A woman still haunted by an argument from years ago wonders what to do. Mariella Frostrup says it’s high time to eat humble pie
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A woman is struggling to forgive her husband for his anger after their son died. Mariella Frostrup says she must give him some credit for becoming the loving supportive man he now is
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A reader is unhappy that her sister is refusing to take on the role of party organiser, but Mariella Frostrup says being a bridesmaid should be a no-strings affair
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Mariella Frostrup advises a mother how to stop her adult children living off the fruits of her labour
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A reader asks if they should cancel an Easter visit to the grandparents, but Mariella Frostrup suggests their child’s weight issue should not be viewed in the context of one weekend
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Mariella Frostrup admires a reader’s attempts to come to terms with her past, but says she should be aware her mother may never take responsibilty for her actions
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Mariella Frostrup says the information may not be news to her mother – and warns against aportioning blame as her parents’ marriage is picked over
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Let your family know how you feel, says Mariella Frostrup. Asking for help is scary but the rewards are worth it
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Blaming your friend for a decision you took in the past will not solve your problem. Channel your anger into tackling your possibilities for conception, says Mariella Frostrup
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It’s common for a grieving child to deify a parent who dies and blame the surviving parent, says Mariella
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Our imagination can be an outlet for things we wouldn’t do or condone, but craving to be controlled might be worth exploring with a therapist, says Mariella Frostrup
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A woman in her 70s appears to be leading a mystery double life. Mariella Frostrup advises her grandchild that she’s not really doing any harm
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At only 27 years old, a high-performing woman fears she is having a midlife crisis: she feels her conservative and Christian beliefs have prevented her from finding love. Mariella Frostrup encourages her to emerge from her chrysalis
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A woman is struggling to get her daughter to be more positive about her partner. Mariella Frostrup advises her not to foist a new family on the teenager
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A woman who married her longtime partner two years ago now wants to separate. Mariella Frostrup wonders why it’s taken so long to address the issues in their relationship
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An Iranian man is struggling to make friends in Germany. Mariella Frostrup says he must embrace anything and everything until he finds his feet
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A woman, whose son protects her from her abusive husband, wonders if she should leave without a trace. Mariella Frostrup responds
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Loneliness is a state of mind – so stop thinking in those terms and just be yourselves. Mariella advises two teens looking for friendship and love
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Don’t, says Mariella Frostrup. Your partner’s low libido will always make you feel unappealing. Either he must get help or you should find a better match
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A woman in her 20s has discovered that her beloved partner has been having online sex with porn stars. Mariella Frostrup says she is right to worry
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A young man is jealous his female friend of 50 has fallen in love with another man. Mariella Frostrup says it’s time he finds his own – realistic – sexual relationship
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A woman feels bereft because her friend has less time for her. Mariella says stamping her foot because she’s getting less attention is not the way forward
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One woman, scared by her country’s election result, sees no chink of light. Remember the millions, like you, trying to make the world a better place, says Mariella Frostrup
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A woman complains her husband’s teenage daughter is too busy taking selfies to help out. Mariella Frostrup suggests ways of trying to befriend her
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Married to a problem page addict, a man finds himself constantly being suspected of having affairs. Mariella Frostrup considers the case from an agony aunt’s perspective
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A young woman enjoying a blissfully happy relationship is haunted by the idea it won’t last forever. Mariella Frostrup says it’s a blueprint for future relationships
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A man says his mum and siblings did nothing while his wife had a masectomy and chemotherapy. Mariella Frostrup says he must demand answers
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A 27-year-old says she values her partner but feels no lust towards him. Mariella Frostrup suggests ways to create an erotic charge
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A woman is worried her sister’s teenage twins haven’t been told they’re not their parents’ biological children. Mariella Frostrup wonders why she feels so strongly
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A woman expecting her first child wonders whether to contact her mother, who has mental health problems. Mariella Frostrup says there may be benefits to doing so
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A single man in his mid-30s laments how hard it is to find Mr Right. Mariella Frostrup says don’t be so demanding, enjoy your friends and lovers and wait to see if love will blossom
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A girl whose mother has died and whose father and older sister argue is worried about keeping the family together. Mariella Frostrup says communication is key at this tragic time
My alcoholic daughter, 26, must leave home – or I will