Are you tired of marriage books that sound like they were written thirty years ago? Do you want real, honest advice from a couple who knows the hopes and struggles of today's couples? Do you want to build a marriage that will last a lifetime? Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts is the first comprehensive marriage preparation program specifically designed for today's couples. And it's the first program for couples developed by a couple. And Les Leslie Parrott are no ordinary couple. As marriage counselors and teachers, they're on the cutting edge of marriage research and education. Each year they teach a blockbuster relationships course to hundred of college students They see the struggles and dreams of couples up close. And they reveal the flaws and foibles of their own relationship in order to show how challenging--and rewarding -- marriage can be. Most importantly, however, Les and Leslie Parrott share a dream: to equip couples in their twenties and thirties to prepare for lifelong marriage before it even starts. They know from experience that many couples spend more time preparing for their wedding than they do for marriage. Having tasted firsthand the difficulties of "wedding bell blues," they show young couples the skills they need to make the transition from "single" to "married" smooth and enjoyable. Whether you're contemplating marriage, engaged, or newly married, Les and Leslie will lead you through the thorniest spot in establishing a relationship. You'll learn how to uncover and deal with problems before they emerge. You'll discover how to communicate, not just talk. And you'll learn the importance of becoming "soul mates" -- a couple committed to growing together spiritually. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts is more than a book -- it's practically a premarital counseling session! Questions at the end of every chapter help you explore each topic personally. Companion men's and women's workbooks full of self-tests and exercises will help you apply what you learn. And the Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts video curriculum will help you to learn and grow with other couples who are dealing with the same struggles and questions. So start today, while your love is fresh. Save your marriage -- before it starts.

Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgments 9 Before You Begin 11 Question 1: Have You Faced the Myths of Marriage with Honesty? 15 Question 2: Can You Identify Your Love Style? 31 Question 3: Have You Developed the Habit of Happiness? 53 Question 4: Can You Say What You Mean and Understand What You Hear? 71 Question 5: Have You Bridged the Gender Gap? 91 Question 6: Do You Know How to Fight a Good Fight? 111 Question 7: Are You and Your Partner Soul Mates? 131 Notes 151

Accolades

Winner of Christian Book Award 1996.

Author Biography

Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott are codirectors of the Center for Relationship Development at Seattle Pacific University (SPU), a groundbreaking program dedicated to teaching the basics of good relationships. Les Parrott is a professor of clinical psychology at SPU, and Leslie is a marriage and family therapist at SPU. The Parrotts are authors of the Gold Medallion Award--winning Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. They have also written Love Talk, I Love You More, Your Time-Starved Marriage, and the Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoring. They have been featured on Oprah, CBS This Morning, CNN, and The View, and in USA Today and the New York Times. They are also frequent guest speakers and their radio program, Love Talk, is carried by stations throughout North America. They live in Seattle, Washington, with their two sons. www.RealRelationships.com Drs. Les y Leslie Parratt son codirectores de Center for Relationship Development en Seattle Pacific University (SPU). Les Parrott es profesor en una clinica de psicologia en SPU, y Leslie es terapeuta de familia y matrimonio en SPU. Los Parrotts son escritores y ganadores del Medallon de Oro Salva Tu Matrimonio Antes que Empieze, Amor Es, Relasiones, y Cuando Malas Cosas Pasan a Un Buen Matrimonio. Ellos se an estado presentando en Oprah CBS Esta Manana, en El Paisaje, USA Hoy y en New York Tiempo. Ellos tambien son hablantes frecuentes y han escrito para una variedad de revistas ellos viven en Seattle, Washington con sus dos hijos. Dr. Leslie Parrott is a marriage and family therapist and codirector with her husband, Dr. Les Parrott, of the Center for Relationship Development at Seattle Pacific University. She is the author of God Made You Nose to Toes, and coauthor with her husband of several bestselling books, including The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoring, Relationships, Love Talk, and the Gold Medallion Award-winner, Saving Your Marriage before It Starts. Leslie is a columnist for Today's Christian Woman and has been featured on Oprah, CBS Morning, CNN, and The View, and in USA Today and he New York Times. The Parrotts' radio program, Love Talk, is carried by stations throughout North America. Leslie lives in Seattle with her husband and their two sons. www./RealRelationships.com