Introduction
Rules for finding love 1 Be yourself 2 Get over it before you get on with it 3 You won't be happy with a partner until you can be happy on your own 4 You'll know them when you meet them 5 Choose someone who makes you laugh 6 Being less than a hundred per cent attractive is a great filter 7 Don't keep making the same mistakes 8 Certain people are off limits (you know who they are) 9 You can't change people 10 Relationships aren't about sex 11 Get to know someone through all the seasons before making any major decisions 12 Don't stay with someone who doesn't care 13 If you can't trust them, you haven't got a relationship 14 Be honest (while you still have the chance) 15 Don't play games 16 Don't tar new partners with old brushes 17 Check you both have the same shared goals 18 Create the power balance you both want 19 You can't make someone love you 20 Be cruel to be kind
Relationship Rules 21 Be nice 22 Be together because you want to, not because you need to 23 Allow your partner the space to be themselves 24 Look to your own faults 25 Be honourable 26 Put each other first 27 Recognize the signs 28 Be a hero - or a heroine 29 Accept the differences, embrace what you have in common 30 Don't belittle your partner 31 You want to do what? 32 Let not the sun go down upon your wrath 33 Be the first to say sorry 34 Let them have the last word 35 Houston, we have a problem 36 Don't put them on a pedestal and expect them to stay there 37 Know when to listen and when to act 38 Never stop trying to be attractive 39 If you can say something nice, do 40 Don't try to be their parent 41 Be part of their life 42 If little things annoy you, say so - with humour 43 Go that extra step in trying to please them 44 Make sure your partner is always pleased to see you 45 Don't dump responsibility on your partner 46 Let them know if you don't like their friends 47 Jealousy is your stuff, not theirs 48 Your partner is more important than your kids 49 Make time for romance 50 Have a passion for your life together 51 Share the workload 52 Trust the other one to do the job 53 Don't be a nag 54 Make sure your love making is making love 55 Don't control them 56 Listen to what they're not saying 57 Most everyday arguments are about something else 58 Respect privacy 59 Treat your partner better than your best friend 60 Don't be offended if they want some space 61 Men like flowers too 62 Keep your finances separate 63 Contentment is a high aim 64 Be generous to each other financially 65 You make a choice every day 66 Don't be a martyr 67 Stop sniping - someone has to 68 You don't both have to have the same rules 69 Do it their way if it matters more to them 70 Put yourself in their shoes 71 In-laws are part of the package 72 Keep talking 148
Family Rules 73 Don't blame your parents 74 Don't let your parents control your feelings 75 Your children come before you 76 Nothing is worth falling out over 77 Don't shout at the people you love 78 Treat them right, no matter how they treat you 79 There are no circumstances in which it is ever acceptable to say 'I told you so' 80 Don't pressurize your family just because you can 81 Never be too busy for loved ones 82 Make the effort 83 Your children need to fall out with you to leave home 84 They don't have to be the same as you 85 Accept people's flaws 86 There's always stuff with siblings 87 Let go of your role 88 What will be left of you?
Friendship Rules 89 There are no rules 90 Your best friend was once a stranger 91 Only have people in your life who, on balance, make it better not worse 92 If you're going to be a friend, be a good friend 93 Forgive 94 Never give advice 95 Don't make other people uncomfortable 96 Find friends who love the truth 97 Never lend money unless you're prepared to write it off 98 If you don't like their partner, tough 99 When one finger points forwards, three point back 100 Friendships change 101 Know when to let go 102 Bitterness helps no one
Rules for everyone 103 People are more important than things 104 Guilt is a selfish emotion 105 Love equals time 106 The more you put out, the more you get back 107 Other people are where it's at
The Rules of parting 108 Listen to your own internal voice 109 Recognize that it takes two 110 It doesn't have to be anyone's fault 111 Keep the moral high ground 112 Don't keep raking it over 113 Leave the kids out of it 114 Remember they're not a monster 115 Identify your own mistakes 116 Choose friends you can trust 117 There is life beyond parting
Had enough yet . . .?
