HELP! I'm Living with a (Man) Boy

Reviews

'achieves its objectives in both an accessible and entertaining way, which I believe is a must for books on this and similar topics.'

—Rebecca Creighton, New Community Quarterly

 'provocative… gives positive advice, too.' 

—Readings Summer Reading Guide, p. 16.

 'serious but with a light and humorous touch.' 

—Reader’s Feast, Summer reading supplement featuring independent Australian publishing

'Boys will be boys – and that, at least in the eyes of women, is the real trouble. … With a mixture of sensitivity and humour McLellan puts forward some thoughtful strategies to help men understand the difference between mumbled promises of future help and solid action.'

—Peter Laud, Sunday Times

Table of Contents

Everyday Situations
1. When you want some answers
Men are such boys
2. When the man in your life is a child
3. When you feel like his mother
Boys will be boys
4. Trying to improve communication when you are the only one trying
5. Longing for meaningful, stimulating conversation
6. When you never know what your partner thinks or feels
7. When you are the butt of his "jokes"
8. When you are made to feel invisible
9. When you are always the one who is wrong
10. When you sense you are being lied to
11. Always waiting for the "right" moment to talk to him
12. When you are constantly told you are mad (and half-believe it)
13. When you feel you have to keep you anger to yourself
Boy-power
14. Living with a bully
15. When you are the victim of physical abuse
16. When you see your partner's behaviour emerging in your son
17. When you are the victim of sexual abuse
18. When you have sex to keep the peace
19. Being abandoned after sex
20. When you are a victim of sexual harassment in your own home
21. When you discover your partner has sexually abused your child
22. When no one believes you
23. Discovering your partner's stash of pornography
24. When he refuses to discuss it
Can't live with him, can't live without him
25. When you suspect your partner is having an affair
26. When you discover your partner is having an affair
27. Realising you have been surrounded by lies and deceit for a long time
28. When you lie awake at night going over and over conversations in your mind
29. When you are overcome with anxiety/panic
30. When you live every day with a gnawing feeling deep in the pit of your stomach
31. Knowing you can neither live with him nor live without him
Living with Mr Nice Guy
32. When friends and family tell you how lucky you are
33. When you are told that his behaviour is your responsibility
34. Living with a man who puts on a good show for for others
Woman-Self: becoming strong, growing stronger
35. When your problems seem to go on and on
36. When you feel burderned with guilt
37. When you struggle to forgive
38. When your self-esteem needs a boost
39. When you are terrified of being alone
40. Finding the courage to live assertively
41. Becoming stronger, growing stronger
Afterword

Translations