He Just Doesn't Get It

Ellen Sue Stern has more than half a million copies of her books in print worldwide including Loving an Imperfect Man, published by Pocket Books. Thousands of women have attended her seminars and she has been seen on major national talk shows, including Oprah, Montel Williams, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Maury Povich. Her work has appeared in New Woman, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day, Self, Parenting, Working Woman, and American Baby magazine. She lives with her two children, Zoe and Evan, in Minneapolis.

• CONTENTSINTRODUCTIONIf he doesn't understand why you're reading this book (or "get" all the ways in which you try to strengthen your relationship)If he doesn't do his shareIf he says, "Stop acting like my mother!"If he takes you for grantedIf he says he wants spaceIf he doesn't take your needs, time, and schedule into considerationIf he's more about having sex than about making loveIf he acts as if he deserves a medal for doing what you do twenty-four hours a dayIf he accuses you of being high-maintenanceIf he isn't supportive of or involved in your career, interests, or hobbiesIf he mysteriously disappears when it's time for the kids' bath (or fails to take responsibility for other familial, social, or community involvement)If he has a three-minute attention span when talking about feelingsIf he breaks promises faster than he makes themIf he doesn't treat you wellIf he doesn't make your relationship enough of a priorityAND ONE FOR GOOD LUCK: If he doesn't say "I love you" enoughAFTERWORD