Synopses & Reviews
A guide for women who are in relationships with "Mother-Enmeshed Men"--men who harbor deeply ingrained, unhealthy bonds with their mothers--offers compassionate advice based on true case stories to offer insight into what creates MEM relationships and how to assist a man's recovery. Original. 25,000 first printing.
Review
"It is a compelling, insightful, and helpful guide out of the sexual and romantic labyrinths families weave." -- Patrick J. Carnes, Ph.D., author of andlt;iandgt;Out of the Shadowsandlt;/iandgt;
Review
and#212;and#170;and#248;andlt;BRandgt; "An engaging, clear, and extremely useful examination of this most common of family problems....and#8217;and#196;and#226;I do a lot of couples therapy in my practice, and this is one of the most common unhealthy dynamics I see. This book will be enormously helpful." -- John C. Friel, Ph.D., author of andlt;iandgt;Adult Childrenandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"Dr. Ken Adams has done it again. This book on mother-son enmeshment explains not only this too little understood developmental block, but points the way to liberation. The absence of psychobabble makes it clear reading both for victims and their clinicians." -- John Franklin, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Counseling and Addiction Studies, University of Detroit Mercy
Synopsis
When a Woman Is in an Emotional Tug-of-War for Her Man's Heart
Why can't he commit? Many women find themselves asking this question when in love with a man who won't get married, won't stop womanizing, or refuses to give up his sex addictions. Often this kind of man is bound by an unhealthy attachment to his mother. This phenomenon is called "mother-son enmeshment." In When He's Married to Mom, clinical psychologist and renowned intimacy expert Dr. Kenneth M. Adams goes beyond the stereotypes of momma's boys and meddling mothers to explain how mother-son enmeshment affects everyone: the mother, the son, and the woman who loves him. In his twenty-five years of practice, Dr. Adams has successfully treated hundreds of enmeshed men and shares their stories in this informative guide. He provides proven methods to make things better, including:
-- Guidelines to help women create fulfilling relationships with mother-enmeshed men
-- Tools to help mother-enmeshed men have healthy and successful dating experiences leading to serious relationships and marriage
-- Strategies to help parents avoid enmeshing their children
When He's Married to Mom provides practical and compassionate advice to the women who are involved with mother-enmeshed men, to the mothers who wish to set them free, and to the men themselves.
Synopsis
A practical, compassionate relationship guide for women who are involved with mother-enmeshed men, mothers who wish to set their sons free, and men dealing with issues of commitment, sex addiction, and unhealthy attachments. Why can't he commit? Many women find themselves asking this question when in love with a man who won't get married, won't stop womanizing, or refuses to give up his sex addictions. Often this kind of man is bound by an unhealthy attachment to his mother. This phenomenon is called mother-son enmeshment. In When He's Married to Mom, clinical psychologist and renowned intimacy expert Dr. Kenneth M. Adams goes beyond the stereotypes of momma's boys and meddling mothers to explain how mother-son enmeshment affects everyone: the mother, the son, and the woman who loves him. In his twenty-five years of practice, Dr. Adams has successfully treated hundreds of enmeshed men and shares their stories in this informative guide. He provides proven methods to make things better, including:
--Guidelines to help women create fulfilling relationships with mother-enmeshed men
--Tools to help mother-enmeshed men have healthy and successful dating experiences leading to serious relationships and marriage
--Strategies to help parents avoid enmeshing their children
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Alexander P. Morganandlt;/bandgt; is a writer specializing in technical subjects. A Nationalandlt;BRandgt;Science Foundation Fellow and winner of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' Melville Medal, he lives with his family in Birmingham, Michigan.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
A Loss of Freedom: The Enmeshment Trap
Part One. What Are You Dealing With?
1. Anne's Dilemma:
The Man Who Won't Commit
2. Doug's First Date:
The Womanizer
3. Tony Just Wants to Have Fun:
The Perpetual Adolescent
4. Father Mark Is Killing Himself:
The Burned-out Caretaker
5. Sam Loves His Computer:
The Cybersex Addict
6. Why Warren Will Never Be President:
The Disappointed Hero
7. Freddy Has Anxious Sex:
The Lost Man
8. Why Do Mother-Enmeshed Men Struggle to Be True to Themselves?
Betrayed by Enmeshment
Part Two. How Can You Heal?
9. Becoming Aware:
Making the Unconscious Visible
10. The Healing Journey:
About Therapy
Part Three. How Do You Build Healthy Relationships?
11. Being Your Own Man:
How a MEM Can Make Things Better with Parents, Siblings, and Others
12. Divorce Mom and Don't Marry Someone Like Her:
Guidelines for MEM on Dating and Marriage
13. Should I Stay or Should I Go?
And Other Questions Asked by Women Involved with MEM
14. Guardian Angels:
Parenting Is a Spiritual Mission
15. Getting Past Enmeshment:
A New Freedom
Notes
Recommended Reading
Bibliography
Resources
Index