Q: My older granddaughter got married two years ago to a man she thought she knew well. Unfortunately, she did not know him as well as she thought. They're in the divorce court, but no one saw it coming.

Now, our second granddaughter is engaged, and we don't know whether she's making the same mistakes.

What are today's odds of her marriage working out?

A: The divorce rate has evened out to about a 50 percent success rate in recent decades. Finding a lifetime marriage is increasingly challenging.

There are plenty of other changes in marriage trends for younger generations. They often delay marrying until later in life, as it's difficult to find enough work to support a marriage. They are also having children later in life, due to the cost of housing and other factors.

However, life priorities are still the same. Food is No. 1. Safety is No. 2. Shelter is No. 3. And finding someone to love comes afterward. In that vein, your granddaughter should attempt to make sure they are on stable ground before getting married.

It takes time and patience to find the right mate. Ideally, she will find him caring, trustworthy, faithful and committed.

They should have serious discussions before marrying, discussions about future children, finances, life goals and many other issues. If they can't talk about them now, there could be an issue down the line.

Every relationship goes through changes. They'll want to have stable ground to stand on when weathering through hard times.

Provide advice, but support your granddaughter and her choices. Familial tension is destructive. Be sure to welcome her fiance into the family! — Doug

SMALL VICES

Q: I don't smoke. I don't drink. And I don't gamble. Given my general good behavior, I feel like I'm entitled to have at least one bad habit. For me, it's food.

Unfortunately, my doctor and my family don't agree, and they want me to eat an extremely restricted diet. I'm 89 years old, and I don't really see the point.

At my age, should I be able to eat whatever I want?

A: Ultimately, it's up to you. No one else can control what you eat.

Most people have at least one unhealthy behavior that tempts them. However, there's a difference between indulgence and addiction. The goal is to make sure that food doesn't consume you, instead of you consuming it.

Does food prevent you from engaging in other activities? Do you plan your life around eating? Is your health in dire straits? If so, you should probably listen to your doctor and family. They're looking out for you.

Your general concern is your quality of life. Although eating perfectly healthy is good for your body, it's also nice to have some flexibility. Instead of abstaining from all bad habits, create some positive new ones.

You'll enjoy life more if you are proactive, rather than restrictive. Acknowledge all the healthy things you already do, and be proud.

It also can't hurt to remind your family about all of your many virtues. — 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.