Why Can't We Get Along?: Healing Adult Sibling Relationships

by Peter Goldenthal

Overview

Praise for Peter Goldenthal s previous books:

"[Dr. Goldenthal s] techniques...are presented with insight and clarity. This is a unique and valuable book." —William B. Carey, M.D., Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

"Peter Goldenthal gives us new insights.... This is a must-read book." —Myrna Shure, Ph.D., author of Raising a Thinking Child

Hasn t it gone on long enough the rivalry, the jealousy, the pent-up anger, and the grudges rooted in the past? In this book, renowned author and family psychologist Peter Goldenthal offers proven prescriptions for brothers and sisters who want to break through old, destructive patterns and create a richer, more loving, and more rewarding relationship with their adult siblings.

Using dramatic case histories drawn from his own clinical practice, Dr. Goldenthal helps you understand why adult siblings fight. Warmly and insightfully, he presents practical techniques to:
* Communicate with and listen to your sibling
* Free yourself from past resentments
* Cope with your sibling s selfish or inconsiderate behavior
* Support and comfort a sibling who suffers from mood problems
* Manage a sibling s difficult personality
* Help your children avoid sibling problems
Don t let old hurts and destructive behavior patterns overshadow the love you feel for your sibling. Read Why Can t We Get Along? and find the key to establishing warm and loving sibling relationships that will last a lifetime.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471388425
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/05/2002
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	1,085,680
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

PETER GOLDENTHAL, Ph.D., has spent two decades as a practicing family psychologist. The acclaimed author of Beyond Sibling Rivalry, he has been a featured guest on the Today show and frequently presents workshops on family and relationship issues.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xv

Introduction 1

Part 1: Understanding Sibling Relationships 7

1 Five Myths about Sibling Rivalry 9

2 Acknowledgement is Powerful 27

3 Know Yourself: The Value of Self-Awareness 47

Part 2: Strategies for Healing Sibling Relationships 65

4 How to Talk – and listen to – Your Sibling 67

5 Freeing Yourself from Resentment 91

6 How to Break Destructive Patterns 113

Part 3 Help with Hard-to-Heal Relationships 131

7 “My Sibling Is Just So Selfish!” 133

8 “But I’m Still Angry!” 149

9 Understanding and Helping a Sibling with Mood Problems 163

10 Understanding and Managing Your Sibling with Mood Problems 163

Part 4: Looking to the Future 201

11 Eighteen Ways to Help Your Children Avoid Sibling Struggles 203

Afterword 225

Index 227

Editorial Reviews

In Beyond Sibling Rivalry, family psychologist Goldenthal showed parents how to deal with feuding children. Here, he directs his well-founded advice at adult siblings, but he lacks focus. While he does address some sibling-specific issues in core chapters (e.g., arguing that one doesn't need to be nice to family members simply because one is "stuck" with them), most of the content is applicable to all relationships. For example, Goldenthal talks about the importance of watching for nonverbal cues and wisely choosing one's battles. The most compelling part of the book is an appendix-like chapter that lists ways for parents to reduce sibling conflict. Overall, most of what Goldenthal covers can be found in other books on relationships. An optional purchase for public libraries. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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