10 Stupid Things Couples Do to Mess Up Their Relationships

by Schlessinger, Laura

• ISBN13: 9780060280666
• ISBN10: 0060280662
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-12-06
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publications

Summary

Using real-life situations from her radio call-in show and from listeners' letters, Dr. Laura offers firm yet compassionate advice on how to find greater happiness in life and in love. She urges couples to set their priorities straight, learn the difference between privacy and secrecy, stop making stupid excuses for their mistakes, and face their responsibilities to each other and to their families.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(13)
Stupid Secrets	13	(32)
Withholding important information for fear of rejection
Stupid Egotism	45	(28)
``My freedom/rights to do what I want are more important than your feelings/needs''---ask not what you can do for this relationship; ask only what this relationship can do for you
Stupid Pettiness	73	(26)
Making a big deal out of the small stuff
Stupid Power	99	(24)
Never lose an argument, or sacrifice anything; always be in control, never let the other forget he or she hurt you or messed up
Stupid Priorities	123	(30)
Consuming all your time and energies with work, hobbies, errands, chores, missions---an unkempt bed has a higher priority than the relationship
Stupid Happiness	153	(24)
Seeking stimulation and assurance from all the wrong places to satisfy the immature need to feel good vs to be good
Stupid Excuses	177	(24)
Instead of acknowledging misdeeds and being accountable and responsible, you fight back with excuses which just cause more damage---learn to apologize!
Stupid Liaisons	201	(26)
Staying attached to relatives and friends who are outright bad influences and destructive to your self or your relationship---allowing these folks to hurt your partner
Stupid Mismatch	227	(26)
Seeing the red flags clearly and yet you stay around trying to put a square peg in a round hole---not knowing when to leave and cut your losses
Stupid Breakups	253
Disconnecting for all the wrong reasons