Happily Married With Kids

By Carol Ummel Lindquist

Book Overview

Most new parents quickly discover that the arrival of a newborn-and the subsequent changes in priorities and lifestyle-can put a tremendous strain on even the best of marriages. In fact, research indicates that sixty-seven percent of new parents complain they are having less sex, less fun, and more arguments than before kids entered the picture. Now, Dr. Carol Ummel Lindquist, marriage counselor and happily married mother of two, explores why parenthood can sometimes wreak havoc on dreams of a happily ever after-and reveals what couples can do to make their marriages solid and satisfying. Inspired by the author's twenty-five years of professional experience-and her own successful marriage-Happily Married with Kidsshows readers how to: Avoid the real parent trap: exhaustion and disruption Manage conflicts and improve communication Stay best friends with one's spouse Balance work and home Enjoy their kids-and each other-at every age Revive their sex life Find humor in everyday difficulties Make time for themselves and their marriage

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425193950
• ISBN13: 9780425193952
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Berkley Trade
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 5.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.2" x 1.0" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

My new marriage "bible"

This is a great book written by an author who clearly knows her stuff as a marriage counselor, has been there as a mom/wife, and has a good sense of humor. I found many insights and helpful tips in this book. I wish I had found it sooner, I think it would be great to read before the birth of the baby though it will be helpful for anyone with young kids looking to make positive changes to their marriage. I marked many pages and will be keeping this nearby to revisit and try ideas from.

Good Book, Good Ideas

I haven't completely finished this book but I'm close and I'm looking forward to it. I'll no doubt read it again and again. I only wish I/we had found it sooner. It is written in plain English and really hits the mark in terms of things we've been dealing with. It gives great information I've never seen anywhere else and which promises to be very helpful to us... who knew we might just be in a pretty normal phase. I think that piece of information alone could save thousands of marriages. Thank you Ms. Lindquist for writing this book - it's an easy enjoyable read and it gives me hope.

Excellent book

As a wife of 10 years that is having her first baby, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to read this book prior to our first child's birth. This book is easy to read and is written with wit while giving the reader excellent tips on how to keep your marriage healthy as well as keep yourself happy as a wife and mother. The author provides realistic suggestions for you to follow! This book is applicable to all stages of motherhood, and I highly recommend both the wife and husband reading it.

Happily Married with Kids...It's Not Just a Fairy Tale

As a pediatric/family psychologist seeing dozens of families per month, I am very impressed with Dr. Lindquist's new book and will be advising my patients to read it as an adjunct to their own therapy to expedite their counseling process. This well-written, practical, and humorous book does an excellent job of focusing on the logistics of parenting while insightfully exploring how to keep our marital relationships strong, loving, and collaborative. Dr. Lindquist's wisdom, warmth, and wit help every reader see the essential link between a healthy marriage and a healthy family foundation. It is the absolute best book of its type I've read and I heartily recommend it to everyone who is in that "two decades of parenting" phase of their lives. This is indeed a great addition to the literature!

A must read for new parents

As a psychologist working both with couples and individuals, I have been awaiting the publication of this book with much anticipation. So often I have found that parents of young children feel very isolated and overwhelmed in their distress over having to balance parenthood and marriage. This book resonates so well with the experiences of many couples having to adjust to the challenges of parenthood and marriage. In this book Dr. Lindquist describes with a great deal of humor the frequent challenges that arise. This book is practical and easy to read, even when you have had an exhausting day with the kids... This is a book that not only describes and analyses the problems, it focuses on solutions, recovery, and repair. Dr. Lindquist offers wonderful suggestions and specific "how to" tips that will help couples stay connected, communicate well, have a good sexual relationship, negotiate responsibilities, and learn to enjoy vacations, holidays, and the rich joys that can be experienced in one's marriage and with one's children. What I also liked so much was Dr. Lindquist's comfort with self-disclosing her own marital and parental challenges as well as what worked for her. This makes for a very engaging and alive book. I loved this book. I plan to recommend it to my patients and friends. It can also be a great gift for a "baby shower". I'm glad that there is finally a book that is so useful and easy to read for couples coping with parenthood, and for parents wanting to protect and enhance their relationship.