People are fond of proclaiming that marriage does not come with a handbook (the same goes for kids) and it is for this reason that so many unions end in divorce. And while it’s certainly true that committing to another person requires you to adopt a flexible attitude, learn to compromise, and spend every day for the rest of your life striving to maintain a relationship that is fun and fulfilling for both parties, it’s not exactly like you’re reinventing the wheel. And there are a number of manuals out there to help you navigate the treacherous waters of wedded bliss, as it turns out. Here are just a few audio books that will quickly create a household full of love instead of war.
- This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett. There is now a whole generation of adults facing marriage with the shadow of divorce looming over them (as their own parents were divorced or they at least had friends who were the product of broken homes). Ann Patchett is one such woman, and here she recounts her own story of failed marriage, preceded by the divorces of both her mother and grandmother (and various other family members). However, despite the fact that her journey started in divorce, it ultimately ended in a happy marriage, and here she presents the inspirational but often bumpy road that got her there.
- The Good Housekeeping Marriage Book: Twelve Steps to a Happy Marriage by William F. Bigelow. This audio book is interesting in a couple of ways. For starters, it was first printed as a series of twelve articles on marriage in Good Housekeeping magazine…in 1939. Parts of it are therefore subject to the predominant opinions of the time (eugenics, anyone?) and may be offensive to some listeners. But the truly surprising thing is how many of the opinions expressed will resonate with modern couples, such as the importance of female independence (working outside the home) and the need to come up with a plan for raising children. There may not be a lot of new ideas expressed, but it’s pretty amazing to see that some of the marriage advice that worked 70 years ago is still relevant today.
- The Adventure of Marriage by Laura M. Brotherson. This seminar delivered by intimacy educator Brotherson is intended to help people fulfill their true potential, not only in a marriage, but for their own personal benefit. By accepting responsibility for one’s part in a marriage and agreeing that a long-term relationships is both a romantic and a spiritual journey that a couple must take together, a happy marriage is possible. And Brotherson presents key requirements to make this quest successful.
- Babyproofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less, and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows by Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O’Neill, and Julia Stone. As if marriage weren’t hard enough, throwing kids into the mix will definitely put a strain on your relationship. This is not to say that kids don’t bring joy and interest to life, but they require a level of attention and care that can take the focus off your marriage. However, there are solutions that will lower the frustration level and help parents to maintain a strong and fulfilling marriage, and this humorous and straightforward audio book can help you to discover them.
- The 5 Sex Needs of Men and Women by Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg with Ginger Kolbaba. You don’t necessarily need marriage counseling to tell you that sex is important in a romantic relationship and that it is often a bone of contention between partners. However, when men and women discover not only the physical, but also the emotional and spiritual needs associated with sex, they can begin to approach it on a level of mutual understanding and fulfillment that will only help to improve and strengthen a marriage.
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