Boundaries in Marriage: Workbook

by Henry Cloud, John Townsend

This hands-on workbook companion to Boundaries in Marriage will help you move beyond friction points to the mutual care, respect, affirmation, and intimacy you and your spouse long for. You long for a marriage marked by lifelong love, intimacy, and growth. And it can be yours--if you set wise boundaries. Boundaries are the "property lines" that define and protect each of you as individuals. Get them in place, and you can make a good marriage better and possibly even save a less-than-satisfying one. By the time you've completed this workbook, you will know yourself and your mate better than ever before. You'll also understand and practice the ten laws of boundaries in ways that can make a real difference in your relationship. Step by step, the Boundaries in Marriage Workbook helps you apply the biblical principles discussed in the book Boundaries in Marriage so you can . . . Filled with self-tests, questions, and applications, the Boundaries in Marriage Workbook helps you learn when to say yes and when to say no to your spouse to make the most of your marriage.

Genres: Marriage, Relationships, Self Help, Nonfiction, Christian, Psychology

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

About the author

Dr. Cloud has written or co-written twenty-five books, including the two million-seller Boundaries. His most recent books are Boundaries for Leaders and Necessary Endings. He has earned three Gold Medallion awards, and was awarded the distinguished Retailers Choice award for God Will Make A Way.

As president of Cloud-Townsend Resources, Dr. Cloud has produced and conducted hundreds of public seminars around the country. He speaks on relationships—marriage, parenting, dating, personal growth, and spirituality. His seminars are often broadcast live to over two thousand venues at a time.

Reviews

[Canceok · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read! Boundaries are not usually addressed in books about marriage and this book prooves why that is so necessary!

[Alexandria Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book could be titled differently. By “boundaries” the authors really mean 1. Having self control and 2. How to not control others and 3. How to not let others control you. They talk about in order to be in relationship with someone, especially an emotionally and physically intimate relationship like marriage, requires that you be a whole (mostly since no one is perfect) individual first. I think this book would be most helpful to personality types that tend to take passive roles in relationships. If you’re a strong willed type this book may not be that helpful since I think generally strong willed people are in control of themselves and aren’t letting or allowing other people to walk over them. If you feel that you are being controlled or walked all over in your marriage you should definitely read this. I listened to this book on audio.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent marriage book, and the concepts bleed over into other relationships beyond marriage -- parenting, friendships, extended family etc.

One concept that stuck out to me is that you cannot control others, you can only control your response to their actions. That definitely is important to hear if you tend to be manipulative or controlling. (Ack!)

[Amy Jayasuriya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is okay. There is some good information on how to reflect on your own part in issues however I am more of a concrete kinda gal. I need specific plans and ideas and help. This was general and assumes the mate will magically come around to a change of heart or, well good luck with that and bless you for sticking with it anyway.

[Kim Parece · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was useful, but very dry. A little humor would go a very long way to improve this book in my opinion.

[Autumn Dill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hot some anger triggers towards an x famiky member, that was not my x-spouse.

However, this booked helped me to further understand that I did everything I could to make my marriage work, and I ended it correctly under God’s eyes.

It proves that an unrepentant spouse is evil in God’s sight. They may be a believer, but, I am set free and won’t be held responsible for the end of the marriage. He made his choice to break the covenant. It’s on his hands, not mine. My boundaries were right, and justified. I did everything I could until enough was enough.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful! It just gives language to a lot of issues that come up in a marriage, and tools to deal with conflict in a healthy way. Healthy for each, whole, individual person, AND healthy for the marriage. Based in the truth that each partner in a marriage is a whole person, beautifully and uniquely created by God, and each brings his/her own strengths and failures to the relationship. It encourages grace, forgiveness, and honesty, even when things are difficult. Highly recommend!

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to understand the boundaries your marriage needs... starting with YOU!! What a fantastic book to help understand relationship dynamics together with God's design for our lives in these relationships. Whether you have a spiritual connection to God there is an abundance of information here for couples to understand if they read together.

[Arun Narayanaswamy · Rating 1 out of 5]

If only pages or verses of a religious book helped fix anything. Such a terrible book and using a reference to god for everything is just such cheap approach in writing a book. Saying “ungodly suffering” if you don’t do x or y is just crazy.
Terrible book. Avoid!! Just a shame that such books are even written! And well read authors (doctorates) writing this is just even worse to think about it!

[Brittany Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was needed in a time where my marriage was in a gray area. My husband and I were reading and listening to the audible together and it gave us very useful tools. How to become better individuals for a thriving marriage. This book focuses on how to first be a better YOU for your marriage and how to come together as one. Highly recommend

[Angelique Connell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I LOVED the original Boundaries book and worked hard to convince my husband to read this one with me. The main problem that we had with it is that the chapters were 20-30 pages and repeated themselves so many times. They could be normal chapter sizes if the same point wasn’t written in 15 different yet similar ways.

[Arianne Echols]

Second boundaries book I've read, gonna read it again soon, it's really good about providing examples of all kinds of issues in relationships and how to have different boundaries, reminding us that boundaries are never about the other person, their boundaries are about them, ours provides them consequences while taking away the control factor.

[Tony WANG · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't remember the original Boundaries books are this religious. Basically as per the author, when it comes to marriage, everything is more sacred, more holiness, more beliefs and axioms from the bible that one ought to follow. I did not expected the book to contain this much of preachings. 2/5.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So many things I did not understand about creating and maintaining healthy relationships. I really needed this insight, unfortunately it was too late to save my marriage, but I am still learning to apply the principles in my life in all my relationships.

[Anogoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why you shouldn't threaten anyone ever - also, autonomy and self-assuredness.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for not people in Marriage but leaders as well. Boundaries are the difference that help you thrive. We need them in friendships, marriages, work and life balance!

[Dr. Monique Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent workbook for married couples. If you know anyone that's engaged or a newly wed I would definitely recommend this workbook.

[Alyssa Muender · Rating 5 out of 5]

a marriage must!!

[Darylyn Savage Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Applicable. Attainable. Enjoyable!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, an amazing book from Cloud and Townsend. They do a great job of discussing boundaries in an analytical and moral way.

[Abby Rank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, great advice! I love that it uses a ton of Bible verses to teach you how to be in a marriage. Whether you think you are doing great in your marriage or not this is a great read!

[Taylor Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening on a lot of parts of marriage

[Cami Putnam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of self-help books. This one didn’t really have anything very new that I hadn’t read or contemplated before. It felt like your basic self-help book of give-and-take in a marriage.

[Merve Nur · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not recommend this book because it has a religious approach. I would prefer the book to be written in a scientific framework.

[Ashton Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chapter 1 it started quoting bible verses… harrrrrd pass…

[Anthony Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It hits the point and is very helpful. If you’re not in to religion though it’s hard to keep going. There is a lot of bible references.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend are truly inspirational authors. I didn't really know what "boundaries" were before starting this book. I saw quickly just how powerful they can be for a well-ordered life. I know this is going to be a great tool for improving my marriage and becoming the husband God made me to be.

[Jillein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another practical and useful book for marriage.

[Gayle Ayala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most helpful book on marriage I've read yet

[Curtisgb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning to value others as separate and distinct individuals. You complete me? Hollywood Hogwash.