Claire Vande Polder
Sharing Wisdom That Works
“In our culture, marriage takes a beating with more negative profiles than positive. But Claire Vande Polder teases out heartwarming stories that illustrate how real couples navigate year in and year out living together as one. It’s not about fairy tales but what it takes to build a foundation of friendship that helps endure the ups and downs of married life.”
–Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post, Nationally Syndicated Personal Finance Columnist
“Making Marriage Happy is a creative compilation of wonderful anecdotes and practical ideas on how to keep that long-term love affair we call ‘marriage’ alive and well.”
–Kristine Carlson, Co-author, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff book series
“Claire Vande Polder’s book is a triumph. She offers a couples’ roadmap to happiness imbued with the magic of humor, warmth, and companionable sensitivity. Want to be a happy couple? Making Marriage Happy is just what this doctor ordered–for singles and couples, happy or not.”
–Margarita Gurri, PhD, CSP, aka Dr. Red Shoe, Psychologist, Speaker, Author
“What I found most endearing about this book as a Christian faith leader is that humor is, in fact, the great equalizer. We all take ourselves too seriously, but stories like the ones in this book help humble us, teach us patience, and allow us to laugh through the challenges. Truth-telling at this level is what we need more of! It says to those trying to pursue a loving and healthy marriage that there is always hope, and that it isn’t a competition.”
–Rev. Rachel DeLaune, United Methodist Pastor
“…an insider’s guide to the learned and earned wisdom of couples who have figured out how to make it work.”
–Roseann Pascale, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Why are some couples happy when so many others are not? Is it just the luck of the draw? Or do happy couples actually do things that make their happiness possible?
In this lively, encouraging, and occasionally irreverent book, author Claire Vande Polder interviewed real couples in happy marriages to learn what they do to make it work. What she discovered is collected here in short, readable segments on topics from romance to “roommate issues” like housekeeping and chores, conflict, money, life changes, gift giving, when to seek professional help, and more.
The individuals in the interview group represent 1,000 years of married life-in which they’ve acquired 1,000 years of wisdom. And since the identities of those interviewed were kept anonymous, they felt free to dish on intimate truths through confessions, advice, and stories that readers will find both entertaining and inspirational.
Whether you’re newly engaged, in a long-term relationship, or celebrating decades of wedded bliss, there’s something here for everyone. Making Marriage Happy is a collection of hard-won wisdom from real people, a fresh and often-funny take on the joys and challenges of being in it for the long haul.
reader reviews FOR
MAKING MARRIAGE HAPPY
“I’m seeing lots of similarities (and some differences) in how my husband and I have managed and navigated some of the common areas addressed in the book. And it’s causing me to rethink a few things and try to be a little more understanding.”
“What a great concept! Ask people in happy marriages the keys to their success. I came away with many ideas that will help make my happy marriage even better. I laughed out loud more than a few times! “Making Marriage Happy” is an easy read, well organized, and a helpful tool for those who are serious about their marriage and making it happy and fulfilling.”
This is a book for men and women who are happily married, and it’s also useful for those who think their relationship could use a little work.
What it isn’t is a workbook or course of therapy for ailing relationships. In fact, you won’t find a single marriage expert within its pages…only real people with all their mistakes, failures, and hard-won wisdom.
Making Marriage Happy takes an inside look at how happy couples live their lives day to day, and their thoughts on why and how they’ve made the choices they have—all in their own words.
Take heart in hearing about all the failures that accompany their success! (Sure, we can laugh now.)
Get ideas for really good gifts–and really bad ones.
Learn how other couples deal with their money so they don’t fight about it.
Hear stories about what it means to share a life, and what role independence plays in happy marriages.
Note the ways happy couples divvy up household chores for maximum peace at home.
Get inspired to spark your commitment, romance, or date night by the ideas these couples use.
And be entertained by the memorable life events and heartwarming moments these couples share.
Whether you’re just engaged, in a long-term relationship, newly married, or celebrating your golden anniversary, Making Marriage Happy is sure to give you an idea or two to bring more fun, peace, companionship, and deep-down happiness to your relationship.
From Producer to Page-Turner
Claire Vande Polder
Claire Vande Polder is an award-winning nonfiction television producer who has always loved to write. In her debut nonfiction title, Claire offers an inside look into the lives of happy couples and shares practical advice for everyone–whether you’ve just said those “three little words,” or you’re enjoying three decades of wedded bliss.
234
PAGES
26
HAPPY COUPLES INTERVIEWED
1,000
YEARS OF
WISDOM
reader reviews FOR
MAKING MARRIAGE HAPPY
“I’m seeing lots of similarities (and some differences) in how my husband and I have managed and navigated some of the common areas addressed in the book. And it’s causing me to rethink a few things and try to be a little more understanding.”
“I parceled out the stories. They were full of wisdom and humor, so I mulled over one or two at a time. When I was finished with the book, I turned right around and started reading it again.”
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Sharing Wisdom That Works
Simplify , a “Wisdom That Works” book recommendation on minimalism
Simplify was published in 2010 and has been a bestseller for a reason. For one thing, it’s Wisdom That Works. It’s a book that’s made life better, more pleasurable, less stressful, and more efficient for a lot of people.
Becker describes how his wife and two kids went through an exercise of purging their home and lives from everything they didn’t need or love.
One Essential Element That Makes A Happy Marriage (and It’s Not Love)
Hi, friends:
So my book launched on Monday! That was fun, and I’m really enjoying connecting with readers now. One thing I’m getting asked a lot is to share my best advice on how to have a happy marriage.
As I mention in the book’s introduction (and will say forevermore), I’m not a marriage expert. But I did talk to a lot of couples about what they do in their relationships that make them happy, so I can tell you what I learned from them.
When Stuff Has a Story
Plath was married to poet Ted Hughes, and their relationship became a tragic legend of depression, abuse, and suicide. The couple’s only surviving child, daughter Frieda Hughes, inherited her parents’ estate. Last year’s long COVID lockdown sent her deep into house cleaning mode, which made her reflect on her treasures.
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Simplify , a “Wisdom That Works” book recommendation on minimalism
Simplify was published in 2010 and has been a bestseller for a reason. For one thing, it’s Wisdom That Works. It’s a book that’s made life better, more pleasurable, less stressful, and more efficient for a lot of people.
Becker describes how his wife and two kids went through an exercise of purging their home and lives from everything they didn’t need or love.
One Essential Element That Makes A Happy Marriage (and It’s Not Love)
Hi, friends:
So my book launched on Monday! That was fun, and I’m really enjoying connecting with readers now. One thing I’m getting asked a lot is to share my best advice on how to have a happy marriage.
As I mention in the book’s introduction (and will say forevermore), I’m not a marriage expert. But I did talk to a lot of couples about what they do in their relationships that make them happy, so I can tell you what I learned from them.
When Stuff Has a Story
Plath was married to poet Ted Hughes, and their relationship became a tragic legend of depression, abuse, and suicide. The couple’s only surviving child, daughter Frieda Hughes, inherited her parents’ estate. Last year’s long COVID lockdown sent her deep into house cleaning mode, which made her reflect on her treasures.
