The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships book cover

The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships

Transform everyday moments into lasting emotional connections that protect and enrich your relationships

John M. Gottman
2001
8 Key Insights

About This Book

Modern life is bursting with opportunities to connect—or to miss them. This guide teaches you how ordinary “bids” for attention—like a glance, a question or a gesture—build or erode intimacy, one moment at a time. You’ll discover the hidden science of connection, learn your brain’s emotional wiring, and explore how childhood lessons shape your bids today. Through vivid examples and clear steps, you’ll gain the power to turn conflicts into breakthroughs, craft heartfelt conversations and create resilience in marriage, family, friendships and at work. Build bonds that last, bid by bid.

About the Author

Dr. John M. Gottman is a world-renowned psychologist whose decades of rigorous research on couples, families and friendships underpin this guide. He co-founded the Gottman Institute to bring science-based relationship skills to millions. Joan DeClaire is an award-winning journalist and coauthor who has made cutting-edge research both accessible and practical for everyday life. Together, they’ve helped countless people bid, connect and thrive.

Biggest Takeaway

You’ll learn to spot and respond positively to everyday bids for attention, creating an emotional “bank account” you can draw on in conflict. You’ll map and honor your brain’s seven emotional systems, aligning your life with what energizes you and easing what stresses you. You’ll uncover how your family’s beliefs about emotion shape your bids, then rewire old patterns into new, healthy habits. Finally, you’ll master simple communication skills—from gentle startups to healing self-disclosure—that turn arguments into understanding and keep relationships fulfilling through life’s ups and downs.

Key Insights from This Book

Explore the most important ideas and learn how to apply them in your life.

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