“Dating can be done poorly and can lead to hurt and pain. Dating can be done well and can lead to wonderful fruits…” ~~ The Boundaries In Dating
- Is it ok to date?
- What are some benefits of dating?
- When selecting a dating partner, what characteristics do I look out for?
- What kind of checks/boundaries do I put in place while dating?
- How do I handle rejections? (auch! This one can really hurt.)
If you’ve ever asked any of the above questions or a similar one then here’s a book you want to get your hands on – Boundaries In Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships
Book’s objective
The book aims at tackling key problems faced in dating relationships which are usually caused by lack of boundaries. Mind you these boundaries aren’t the ‘Thou shall not do this and that‘, but more so certain pesky behaviors that people don’t like but yet ignore or tolerate so they don’t hurt or lose their partner. Meanwhile, when left unaddressed that could grow to wreck the relationship eventually. This book also discloses ways to build self-control, freedom, and intimacy in the dating process. And much more on maintaining a healthy dating relationship leading to marriage.
About the author(s)
This insightful book was written by the popular duo Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend who are the co-founders of Cloud/Townsend Inc., well-known speakers and counselors, best selling authors, licensed psychologists, and co-hosts of the nationally broadcast New Life Live! radio program. They also wrote “Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children” “The Mom Factor“, “Safe People: How to Find Relationships that are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t“, “Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life” ( the Gold Medallion Award-winning book) .
Lessons learnt
This is one of the most impactful and informative book on the topic of dating I’ve read so far (at least this year). I garnered a number of key points and got some reminders by reading the book. One key lessons I’d gleaned was the importance of maintaining sexual purity during dating; violating this can cloud decision making, and that’s what most times keeps people in an abusive relationship they know they shouldn’t be in. Another thing I found interesting was the result of a study the authors documented that some times people aren’t sure about what they really say they want. They say they like a certain kind of person meanwhile they’re attractive to people with the exact same feature. (E.g. some garls may say they like guys with six-pack abs, but find themselves captivated by guys with just one-ball-pack ab). To this end, the authors recommend having a list but staying open and flexible. (Sage advice!). Just a few of many tips I learnt and I’m applying.
“You may be immature and not able to handle dating, so you abstain from dating. But, unless you do something to grow up, you will still be immature and you will take that immaturity right into marriage.” ~~ Boundaries In Dating
Book rating from Allroundachievers.com
Take action:
So, if you’re ready to gain more insight on how to find a quality dating partner and how to lead a healthy relationship, grab a copy of Boundaries In Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships
To your lovey-dovey dating relationship
[Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through links referenced in this article.]