Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 11
Foreword 13
Preface: Discover Your Couple Positioning System (CPS) 17
1 Checkup and Check-in 21
2 Building on Your Strengths 29
3 Beating the Odds of Divorce: The Step-family Connection 43
4 Positioning Yourself for Change 51
5 Mapping Closeness and Flexibility 65
6 Eyes Wide Open: Finding Realistic Expectations 87
7 Children and Parenting: When Kids Are Part of the Package 101
8 SCOPE Out Your Personalities, With Peter J. Larson, PhD 119
9 The Vital Importance of Healthy Communication 139
10 Managing the Fires of Conflict 157
11 Extinguishing the Fires of Conflict 169
12 Leisure: Maximize Your Fun Factor 185
13 Remarriage Finances: Yours, Mine, and Oursf 191
14 The Sex Connection 207
15 Finding Your Spiritual Core 223
16 Can We Get There From Here? 233
Appendix A National Sample of Couples and Remarriage 239
Appendix B If You Have Ongoing Relationship Problems: Finding Help When You Need It 243
Notes 247
About the Authors 253