This book explores the unique group of elders, ages fifty-five and older, who practice some form of consensual nonmonogamy. It covers both the joys and challenges of multiple relationships for elders and explores how their relationships develop and evolve. Polyamorous elders have the complexities of juggling multiple relationships, as well as navigating all the issues of aging: managing medical conditions and disabilities (their own and/or their partners’); assuming caregiving responsibilities for aging relatives; grieving the deaths of parents, siblings, and partners; retiring from careers and starting new lives; and potentially moving into some form of senior living. Drawing from her extensive clinical and personal experience working with this population, Kathy Labriola provides anecdotes from polyamorous elders’ lives, including the constellation of relationships surrounding each individual, couple, or triad. This guide will help health care and mental health clinicians, researchers, and professionals, as well as polyamorous elders and their loved ones, better understand the concerns and diverse lifestyles of this population to better represent and support them.
What man hasn't struggled when it comes to shopping for or with a woman? And what woman hasn't suffered the consequences? Help for men has finally arrived! The Ultimate Shop Manual-A Man's Guide to Shopping for and with Women takes both men's and women's perspectives on shopping and blends them together using practical advice and humor to aid men through the shopping maze. The Ultimate Shop Manual is bursting with the insight that author Scott Hubbard has gained during the past two decades observing and recording the pitiful plight of males (young and old) as they struggled in the shopping arena. Downtrodden men will Learn why there was more to the original sin than just the snake and the forbidden fruit. Examine the myths surrounding men, women and shopping. Explore the tangled web of gift-giving, including the forbidden world of lingerie, and use the author's ideas and tools to successfully shop for their cuddle dove. Develop a game plan for keeping their sanity and patience during marathon shopping sessions with their little lovely. The Ultimate Shop Manual will make both men and women laugh, learn, and understand the connection between shopping and their relationships. Grab a copy before she buys one for you!
This is the book dedicated to revealing Gods secrets regarding relationships. This is the book that every teenager wishes she read before her first date. It is the book that every woman wishes she had read before entering college. It is the book that every married woman wishes she had read before tying the knot. This book reveals the following secrets in a very unique way: 1, the secret to becoming a male magnet and getting that marriage proposal 2. the secret to being alone without ever feeling lonely 3. the secret of how God uses our bad experiences for our good and His glory 4. the secret of Gods true plan and purpose for sex 5. the secret of enjoying singlehood and dating 6. the secret to picking the right mate for marriage 7. most importantly, the secret of how the bible is the greatest relationship manual ever written. If you are one of those people who always asks Why?, your answer has finally arrived.
Beyond the basics of polyamory lies a complex web of negotiations, agreements, pitfalls and rewards. Kathy Labriola, a relationships counselor who has worked for many years with singles, couples and groups in polyamorous and open relationships, sets forth some of the realities of alternative lifestyles: dealing with some of the common relationship-disrupters, managing jealousy, choosing compatible partners, combining BDSM with polyamory, distinguishing between sex addiction and polyamory, and much more.
Following a unique format perfect for today's world, the renowned author of The Dance of Anger gives us just over 100 rules that cover all the hot spots in long-term relationships. Marriage Rules offers new solutions to age-old problems ("He won't talk"/"She doesn't want sex") as well as modern ones (your partner's relationship to technology.) You'll also learn how to: Calm things down and warm them up Talk straight and fight fair Listen well as a spiritual practice Connect with a distant partner Survive the unique challenges of children, stepchildren and difficult- laws Follow a 12-step program to overcome defensiveness Know how and when to draw the line Take back your marriage when things fall apart Marriage Rules is a treasure chest of lively, practical advice to help you navigate your couple relationship with clarity, courage, and joyous conviction. If one person in a couple follows ten rules of his or her choice, it will generate a major, positive change. All that's required is a genuine wish for a better relationship and a willingness to practice.
The Pastor's Manual is a marriage preparation and ministry resource for pastors and other church leaders for pre-marital counseling and for comprehensive marriage ministries including guidelines for training mentor couples, working with couples in groups, and relationship education for all ages. Includes everything you need to have a comprehensive marriage ministry: The Ministry of Marriage Preparation The Pastor's Role (expectations and perceptions; coaching and problem solving; experiences and attitudes) Theological Perspectives (personal responsibility and christian community; God's purposes for marriage; divorce and remarriage; marriage as vocation and covenant) Basic Goals for Marriage Preparation Ministries (religion, money, and sex; communication skills) Working with Couples First Session (wedding details, assessing the couple's preparation for marriage) Sessions with Individuals (premarital questionnaire responses, surfacing potential disagreements) Additional Sessions (finalizing wedding plans) Nurturing Marital Growth After the Wedding Mentor Couples (selecting and recruiting mentor couples; leadership team; training mentor couples) Marriage Preparation in Groups Comprehensive Marriage Ministries (relationship education for children, youth, and young adults; enrichment opportunities for married couples; support for couples in crisis) An extensive list of "Additional Resources" includes organizations and other marriage ministry programs that may be readily available and can be incorporated into local church and community ministries. Updates for these"Additional Resources, " a "Directory of United Methodist Marriage Ministry" leaders and consultants, a "Training Model" for use of GLCM, and other helps are available at www.marriagelovepower.net.
Participants in Disciple IV Under the Tree of Life will recognize the familiar rhythm and requirements of daily Scripture reading and note taking in preparation for the discussion in the weekly group meeting. The study manual guides daily study of the biblical text and calls for written responses that become grist for discussion in the weekly group meeting. Two new elements in the study manual format represent special emphases in this study – the Psalm of the week and the radical disciple. The Psalm of the week will lead people into a deeper life of prayer using Psalms as a guide. It is to be prayed aloud both daily and weekly in the study group session. Study manual suggestions on experiencing the Psalm of the week pay attention to feelings as well as words. The radical disciple focuses on thoughts or actions relevant to the weekly theme. Whether praying or taking steps toward radical discipleship, participants know they are not alone – the community is there. Each member of the group needs a study manual and a Bible. The Bible is the text for the study and the study manual will guide group members in their study and preparation for the weekly group session. The study manual also includes suggestions for individual research and study-related activities. Space is provided for taking notes while reading Scripture, for recording thoughts and questions arising out of daily study, and for notes during the weekly group session. The titles of the sessions along with theme words and theme verses, and major persons, events, and topics will set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story. Disciple IV Under the Tree of Life is the final study in the four-phase DISCIPLE program. The study concentrates on Old Testament Writings, the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, James, Jude, and finally, Revelation. Emphasis on the Psalms as Israel’s hymnbook and prayer book leads naturally to an emphasis on worship in the study. Present through the entire study is the sense of living toward completion – toward the climax of the message and the promise, extravagantly pictured in Revelation. The image of the tree and the color gold emphasize the prod and promise in the Scriptures. The word under in the title is meant to convey invitation, welcome, sheltering, security, and rest – home at last. Commitment and Time Involved 32-week study Three and one-half to four hours of independent study each week (40 minutes daily for leaders and 30 minutes daily for group members) in preparation for weekly group meetings. Attendance at weekly 2.5 hour meetings.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1 The Field of Marital Interventions and Therapies. Part 1: Educational and Preventive Social Skills Training Methods. 2 Assertiveness Training. 3 Communication Training Programs. 4 Covenant Contracting. 5 Encounter. 6 Relationship Enhancement. 7 Enrichment. 8 Conflict Resolution. 9 Problem Solving. 10 The Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction. Part 2: Remedial Techniques: Therapeutic Interventions. 11 Behavioral Marital Therapy. 12 Counseling and Psychotherapy. Part 3: Preventing and Dealing with Marriage Breakdown. 13 Premarital Programs and Counseling. 14 Divorce Mediation. 15 Divorce and Postdivorce Interventions. Part 4: Issues in Marital Intervention. 16 Marital Interaction Theories and Research. 17 The Training of Marital Therapists. 18 Conclusions: Current Issues in Methods of Marital Intervention. App. A- The Assessment of Assertive Behavior- Selected References. App. B- The Measurement of Communication in Couples. App. C- Guidelines for Covenant Writing with Couples. App. D- Intimacy Enrichment Program. App. E- Selected Annotated References. App. F- Some Experimental Marriage Assessment Procedures.
