Q: Our son is getting married in December. He is an only child and has always been a bit shy. As the date approaches, he is becoming a little nervous. He knows there are a lot of duties and responsibilities necessary to ensure a loving, successful lifetime marriage.

Do you have any advice for him?

A: Marriage is a job, so he should ask himself whether he wants to work for it.

Your son and his fiancee are wise to face the reality that marriage is difficult, as our divorce rate continues to be about 50 percent. Strong and successful marriages do not simply happen; they require a caring and positive attitude and the willingness to persevere through any troubles.

Every week, partners learn more about each other, and they sometimes feel blindsided.

If you don't think it through beforehand, it's easy to feel like you've made a bad decision. Everyone learns that things do not always go as we imagine they will. And don't forget that individuals often change their minds.

Based on our own experiences, the majority of us learn what habits work for happiness. And when we discover these successful habits, it's important to do the legwork to maintain them.

For success, tell them to continue to emphasize trust, commitment, faithfulness, equality and especially ongoing communication. If they don't understand each other, how can they make decisions that will lead to a better outcome? They need to share the important information.

When opinions differ, compromise is always an option. They should resist the urge to feel like they've won and instead meet on equal terms.

A true victory is when you manage to nurture a healthy relationship. — Doug

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Q: One of the things about aging that I find the most frightening is the loss of independence. At some point, we all have to hang up the cark keys, but I don't want to feel trapped at home. Many people are recommending new technologies like Uber or Lyft, but I don't feel comfortable using them.

Do you think I should test them out?

A: It can't hurt. These apps are designed to be accessible, so you should be able to make the leap.

Set up your account at home. Download the application, and follow the instructions for creating your profile and entering your method of payment. If you prepare yourself before using the service, you will greatly reduce your stress and confusion.

If you run into trouble, don't forget to ask for help!

For any issues, technical or otherwise, ask a tech-savvy family member or friend for advice. You could also ask for outside help when trying to schedule a ride. As long as you are polite and friendly, you should be able to find someone willing to assist you.

Don't accidentally overpay the driver, as these services are arranged electronically and don't require cash.

Finally, although these services usually require a smartphone, you can also research GoGoGrandparent. For a slight fee, you can arrange rides through a landline or cellphone. — Emma, Doug's granddaughter

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at [email protected]. Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.