Description
All couples walk to the altar dreaming of happily-ever-after, but many forces in our society work against healthy lifelong commitment. Renowned family therapist William J. Doherty reveals how cracks can develop in even a rock-solid marriage, and what steps you can take to keep your love strong. Learn ways to break free of common traps like confusing desires with needs, comparing your spouse to your fantasies of other relationships, or becoming overtime parents instead of full-time partners. You'll get suggestions for creating relationship rituals--from mundane to celebratory, sexy to silly--that build closeness and connection every day. The updated second edition incorporates Dr. Doherty's ongoing experience counseling couples, plus the latest information on marriage and health, how divorce affects kids, the impact of new technologies on family life, and more.Winner--Best Self-Help Book, ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year AwardsTable of ContentIntroduction1. Take Back Your Marriage2. Resisting Consumer Marriage3. Don’t Lose Your Marriage to Your Kids4. Take Back Time for Your Marriage 5. Resist Family and Friends Who Would Undermine Your Marriage6. Resist Therapists Who Threaten Your Marriage7. Preventing Unnecessary Divorce8. Intentional Marriage: Connection Rituals in Everyday Life9. Intentional Marriage: Love Rituals10. Intentional Marriage: Anniversaries and Other Special Occasions11. Every Marriage Supported by a Community12. Taking Action for Your MarriageReview Quote"Dr. Doherty presents a unique and impassioned analysis of how our consumer culture erodes our dream of having the lasting union that we want so much. His practical suggestions for rituals that restore love and commitment are immediately applicable and alone are worth the price of admission. My son said, 'This book changed my life!' I suspect you, the reader, will say the same."--Harriet Lerner, PhD, author of Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up "I love this book--it's a real eye-opener. Dr. Doherty shows how many of us ignore and take for granted what can be the most important aspects of our lives. Take Back Your Marriage teaches us how to prevent circumstances (or kids, work, community, in-laws) from hijacking our precious love lives without our consent."--John M. Gottman, PhD, author of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work "With his usual pragmatic good sense and down-to-earth wisdom, Dr. Doherty reassures us that we can face the 'core challenge of our time'--how to make a loving, long-term marriage work. He lays out an intentional path to lasting love with elegance and persuasiveness. This is a message that we all need to hear."--Susan M. Johnson, EdD, author of Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love "This book offers wise and timely advice on marriage from one of America's favorite therapists."--Mary Pipher, PhD, author of Reviving Ophelia and Another Country-Biographical NoteWilliam J. Doherty, PhD, is Professor and Director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project at the University of Minnesota, and a practicing marriage and family therapist. Past president of the National Council on Family Relations, he received the Council's Margaret E. Arcus Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Life Education. Dr. Doherty is the author of numerous books for professionals and general readers. Married since 1971, he has two grown children and four grandchildren.
