Empty Nesting

Claudia S. Arp and David H. Arp—marriage educators, authors, trainers, and seminar leaders-are the cofounders and codirectors of Marriage Alive International, Inc. They are the authors of numerous books including the 1997 Gold Medallion Award winner, The Second Half of Marriage (1996). Scott M. Stanley, Howard J. Markman and Susan L. Blumberg developed the world-famous Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). They are the coauthors of Fighting for Your Marriage, A Lasting Promise, Fighting for Your Jewish Marriage, and Becoming Parents.

• Acknowledgments ixBefore You Begin: A Personal Note from David and Claudia Arp xiiiPart I: Understanding Your Empty Nest Marriage1. Meet the Second Marriage of Your Marriage 12. Letting Go and Moving On 213. Becoming Partner Focused 41Part II: Handling Conflict in the Empty Nest4. Communication and Conflict: Four Danger Signs 595. Talking It Out: The Speaker-Listener Technique 816. Getting Beneath the Surface: Issues Versus Events 1057. Problem Solving 1318. Ground Rules for Handling Conflict 159Part III: Dealing with Empty Nest Issues9. When What We Want Isn't What We Get 18310. Applying the Glue of Commitment 20311. Core Beliefs and Developing Siprtual Intimacy 22512. Relating to Adult Children and ging Parents 241Part IV: Feathering Your Own Empty Nest13. Becoming Empty Nest Lovers 26514. Building Your Friendship 28315. Having Fun When the Nest Empties 29716. Keeping Your Relationship Strong 311Research References and Further Reading 327Finding a Counselor When You Need One 333Resources and Training 337Survey Results and Problem Ranking 341The Authors 343Index 345