Review: Best of several marriage books I've read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 23, 2014
Thank God I found this excellent book. I got it about a week ago and I've already read most of it twice. I am really beginning to learn more about myself and why I do the things I do and especially what things I should not do that put up barriers between my husband and me.Unlike other marriage books that are heavy on academic theory, Keep Your Marriage is about practical ideas that really make sense to me. That doesn't mean that all the suggestions are a piece of cake. Far from it. But it does emphasize taking small steps to achieve major breakthroughs in your relationship. This has worked wonders in my marriage.The book is divided into four sections. Section 1 - Understand What You're Dealing With is about absorbing the emotional shock when a spouse says "I don't love you anymore!" It's important to stay composed long enough to give yourself time to make sense of what your spouse is REALLY saying. The problem for too many surprised partners upon hearing this devastating announcement is that they react in ways that almost hasten the end of the marriage. Big mistake.Section 2 - Get Ready to Take Action covers important questions to ask yourself, 21 mistakes you don't want to make and advice on how to stay hopeful and buy time before your spouse walks out the door.  This section identifies many of the most common relationship-killing, unconscious attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that destroy many marriages.Section 3 - Reclaim Your Marriage with Action Steps is about taking care of your own needs, how to deepen your relationship with your mate and how to improve your relationship skills. This section includes valuable tips on nurturing yourself--a topic I haven't found in other marriage books. I learned that I have to honor my own needs so that I have something to give my mate.Section 4 - Coping with Special Situations covers how to deal with sex and affairs, how to motivate your spouse to talk to a marriage counselor and how to handle a marital separation--all situations that require the expert advice found in this section. There is also a special chapter for parents.Keep Your Marriage is a great resource in helping a spouse deal with the emotional stress that comes when the partner is considering separation or divorce. It gives solid guidelines in doable steps that have worked for me and my husband.This is an OUTSTANDING book for any individual or couple willing to grow into having a more connected, intimate relationship or marriage.