A much loved animal is a member of the family – how the loss is handled will help children deal with their grief

Acknowledge their pain, take them for lunch and never say, ‘It’s not the end of the world’

Manage your expectations, check hospital access routes – and prepare to be a novelty

Don’t rush, be authentic and extend the hand of solidarity to the child’s other – outsider – parent

Avoid confrontation and making assumptions. Use WhatsApp, and grasp the limits of what you can achieve

Don’t panic during a drought, but make an effort, show tenderness and forget ‘goal’ sex

Get your family onboard, update your social profiles and negotiate for flexibility

Limit numbers, agree lights-out time and tire them out

Be respectful of local customs and talk to your travelling companions in advance about dealing with racism

Praise effort rather than talent and results, be specific and include personal qualities

Be sure your new relationship is set to last, stay sensitive to your children’s feelings of being pushed out – and help them deal with any sense of split loyalties

The in-laws will be around indefinitely so it might be in your best interests to overwhelm them with kindness and chat

Reflect on the reasons and seek to build bridges, but don’t obsess over what may be a productive separation

What children need most, parenting expert Kate Orson says, is a connection with their family

If they’re not up to notifying others about their news, then offer to do it for them. And look after yourself too

Talk about what you grew up with, don’t hover while they’re doing their chore and don’t feel guilty if you have a cleaner

It doesn’t mean she’s become a woman overnight… if she still wants to sleep with her favourite cuddly toy, that’s fine

Seek out other people who know what you’re going through

Talk about your debts, consider whether your partner has a poor credit record that could affect you – and go easy on the shared spreadsheets