[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjfQXO-FW5Q[/youtube]
Title
Men Are Like Waffles–Women Are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences
Authors
Bill and Pam Farrel
Basic plot or story
Bill and Pam Farrel take the concept of “Men are Waffles” – (compartmentalized) and “Women are like Spaghetti” (everything is connected) and apply it to every aspect of marriage.
They cover communication, sex, upkeep of the home, teamwork, relaxing, conflict, goal setting, parenting among other topics all from the perspective of “Waffles” and “Spaghetti”.
With a light hearted style, they do a nice job of covering the topics well, and explaining why men and women behave differently. Then they give ideas on how to get past the natural differences of men and women, so they can succeed together as husband and wife.
What Can I Apply Right Now?
- Make a list: ’10 things that Express Love to you’…for him and her. Swap Lists.
- Make another list: ’10 Dream Dates you would like to go on’…for him and her. Swap Lists.
- The ’100 to 1 Principle’: take 100% of your focus and put it toward 1 positive trait in your mate. Express that positive thing in several different ways.
- Remember that Wives don’t always want their problems solved when they are talking to their husbands.
- Men are problems solvers. When they start conversations they generally want to solve what is on their mind.
If I could only read one chapter I would read…
I like to ‘dog ear’ pages of books to help remind me of great points and quotes. My most dog eared chapter in this book was Chapter 6: Waffles and Spaghetti in Conflict, Hot Waffles and Simmering Marinara
Conflict can, in fact, heighten your understanding of what is really important in your relationship if you know how to make it work for rather than against you.
The way the Farrel’s covered looking for ‘win/win situations’ during conflict, explaining why men tend to withdraw more often and learning how to forgive were the highlights of this chapter.
If You Liked This What Other Books Might You Enjoy?
Kevin Leman’s Sheet Music
Ed Young’s The Ten Commandments of Marriage
Walt and Barb Laramore’s His Brain, Her Brain
The Big Wrap Up
This book is a new favorite for me in the ‘marriage resources’ world. Reason being: It’s easy – its quick – it’s fun – and there are MANY usable actions and steps that you can apply to your marriage!
PS – Bill and Pam Farrel will be on the Focus on the Family webcast October 22. Make sure you catch them if you can!
{ 2 trackbacks }