Empty Nesting : Reinventing Your Marriage When the Kids Leave Home

by David H. Arp (Marriage Alive International, Inc.); Claudia S. Arp (Marriage Alive International, Inc.); Scott M. Stanley (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)); Howard J. Markman (Univ. of Denver, Colorado); Susan L. Blumberg (Preve

• ISBN13: 9780787952228
• ISBN10: 0787952222
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Fighting forYour Empty Nest-Marriage offers clear-cut instructions for dealing with one of the most difficult periods in any marriage. . .the transition period when the children leave home. Based on the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) and the results of a national survey of long-term married couples, this warm and helpful guide is brimming with practical suggestions and wisdom for learning to let-go of the kids and preserving the sense of commitment, love, partnership, sensuality and fun within a marriage.

Author Biography

DAVID H. ARP —marriage educators, authors, trainers, and seminar leaders—are the cofounders and codirectors of Marriage Alive International, Inc. They are authors of numerous books including the 1997 Gold Medallion Award book, The Second Half of Marriage (1996). SCOTT M. STANLEY Scott M. Stanley, Howard J. Markman, and Susan L. Blumberg developed the world famous Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). They are the coauthors of Fighting for Your Marriage, A Lasting Promise, Fighting for Your Jewish Marriage from Jossey-Bass.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Before You Begin: A Personal Note from David and Claudia Arp	xiii
Part I: Understanding Your Empty Nest Marriage
Meet the Second Marriage of Your Marriage	1	(20)
Letting Go and Moving On	21	(20)
Becoming Partner Focused	41	(18)
Part II: Handling Conflict in the Empty Nest
Communication and Conflict: Four Danger Signs	59	(22)
Talking It Out: The Speaker-Listener Technique	81	(24)
Getting Beneath the Surface: Issues Versus Events	105	(26)
Problem Solving	131	(28)
Ground Rules for Handling Conflict	159	(24)
Part III: Dealing with Empty Nest Issues
When What We Want Isn't What We Get	183	(20)
Applying the Glue of Commitment	203	(22)
Core Beliefs and Developing Spiritual Intimacy	225	(16)
Relating to Adult Children and Aging Parents	241	(24)
Part IV: Feathering Your Own Empty Nest
Becoming Empty Nest Lovers	265	(18)
Building Your Friendship	283	(14)
Having Fun When the Nest Empties	297	(14)
Keeping Your Relationship Strong	311	(16)
Research References and Further Reading	327	(6)
Finding a Counselor When You Need One	333	(4)
Resources and Training	337	(4)
Survey Results and Problem Rankings	341	(2)
The Authors	343	(2)
Index	345