Toxic In-Laws: Loving Strategies for Protecting Your Marriage - Softcover

Forward, Susan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060507853 ISBN 13: 9780060507855

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2002

Synopsis

Are your in-laws poisoning your marriage?
Bestselling author Susan Forward shows you how to manage their behavior without jeopardizing your relationship with your spouse.

Toxic in-laws come in a variety of guises. There's the Critic, who can't wait to tell you what you're doing wrong: the Controller, who tries to run your life; the Engulfer, who makes constant demands on your time; and the Master of Chaos, whose numerous problems inevitably end up in your lap. If you're suffering from these or from any other type of infuriating in-laws, your frustration is likely affecting your relationship with your spouse. This remarkable book will help.

With equal doses of understanding and advice, Susan Forward helps you navigate the treacherous waters of toxic in-laws. She explains the unique complexities of the in-law problem, a triangle that forces you and your spouse into a tug-of-war of loyalty and support. She shows how in-laws often manipulate their children to get what they want, and helps you understand the difficulties this poses for your partner.

Drawing from real-life stories of men and women struggling to free themselves from their in-laws' destructive behavior, Forward offers highly effective strategies for getting your partner to stand up for you, for setting reasonable limits, and, most importantly, for protecting your marriage. Her techniques and strategies may not transform your toxic in-laws into the in-laws of your dreams, but they will help you maintain your sanity, self-respect, and, best of all, your relationship with the person with whom you've chosen to share your life.

About this title

About the Author

Susan Forward, Ph.D., is an internationally acclaimed therapist, lecturer, and author. Her books -- which include the #1 New York Times bestsellers Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them and Toxic Parents, as well as Emotional Blackmail, Obsessive Love, Betrayal of Innocence, and Money Demons -- have been translated into more than fifteen languages. In addition to more than twenty years in private practice, she has served as a group therapist, instructor, and consultant in many Southern California medical and psychiatric facilities.She is much sought after as a guest in the media, and she hosted a daily national call-in radio program on ABC talk radio for six years.

From the Back Cover

Susan Forward's practical and powerful book will help couples cope with terrible and toxic in-laws.

Toxic in-laws are in-laws who create genuine chaos through various assaults--aggressive or subtle--on you and your marriage. Toxic-in laws come in a wide variety of guises, " The Critics.; ", who tell you what you're doing wrong, "The Controllers.;", who try to run you and your partner's life, " The Engulfers.;", who make incessant demands on your time, " The Masters of Chaos.;", who drain you and your partner with their problems, and, " The Rejecters.;", who let you know they don't want you as part of their family.

Susan Forward draws on real-life voices and stories of both women and men struggling to free themselves from the frustrating, hurtful and infuriating relationships with their toxic in-laws. Dr. Forward offers you highly effective communication and behavioral techniques for getting through to partners who won't or can't stand up to their parents. Next, she lays out accessible and practical ways to reclaim you marriage from your in-laws. She shows you what to say, what to do and what limits to set. If you follow these strategies, you may not turn toxic in-laws into the in-laws of your dreams, but you will find some peace in your relationship with them.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0060507853
• ISBN 13: 9780060507855
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 304