Breaking up may be hard to do but working hard on strengthening a marriage will usually help a couple avoid getting to that point in the first place.

With all the lip-service being paid to the need to strengthen the family, Child magazine, out tomorrow, decided to make a small but concrete contribution to the cause with an article that contains some invaluable tips for couples.

The magazine, which is aimed at parents, is an eminently appropriate place for a piece of this nature because of the often dire consequences that befall children of broken marriages.

In fact, the magazine delves into this issue too, with a first-person account by three persons, now grown-up, whose parents either separated or whose relationship just died. Some of their conclusions may come as a surprise.

Child is replete with useful advice. Some of it comes from a child, no less, who as a rather chubby boy managed to lose a lot of weight and attributes it to will power and, of course, a little help from his mum.

Other tips range from how to avoid addiction (that could start in childhood) to careful advice on weaning babies onto solid food. Plus, find out how a girl has become a valuable friend for a classmate with special needs and what little boys find fascinating about their bodies.

Child is published by Allied Newspapers Ltd and produced by Mediamaker Ltd.