[.ca] Lifescripts for Family and Friends: What to Say in 101 ... (ISBN 0743400607)

From Amazon.com:
Ever had to turn down a friend for a loan? Ask your teen about birth control? Suggest to your dad it's time to stop driving? No one likes these discussions. They have ways of spiraling out of control until the original subject matter has completely evaporated. Happily, Erik Kolbell has come to our rescue with Lifescripts, a book devoted to simple flow charts detailing how to handle these difficult conversations. Divided into chapters based on relationships, you can easily flip to the proper section: friends, parents, children, siblings, or spouse. Within each chapter is a series of situations with probable samples of the dialog that is likely to result. Is Dad worried he'll be stuck at home when he stops driving? Reassure him with suggestions on alternative transport. Daughter too embarrassed to talk about her sex life? Gently insist on an appointment with a health-care professional to get matters resolved. Each situation includes a short description of strategy and tactics. In every case, it pays to remember that these conversations are not about blowing off steam, but rather accomplishing a very specific goal. Put this book on an easily accessible shelf. That way you'll know right where to find it when another of life's little surprises heads your way. --Jill Lightner

WORDS OF WISDOM WHEN YOU MOST NEED THEM!:
Most of us have been in that embarrassing situation when the brain shifts into high gear but, as we respond to a comment, the words simply do not come from within. Or, even worse, the words we utter come out sounding like the most unintelligient remark ever spoken on the face of the Earth! There is nothing so memorable as "putting your foot in your mouth" and having it get jammed in there. This book is written for all those awkward situations when you do no know what to say. One question I am asked often as a counsellor is, "What do you say to one is dying from a terminal illness?" You carry on the same conversation with them as you would at any other time without, of course, making reference to things you might plan to do together in the long-term future. However, individuals by human nature will often make comments such as, "I hope you are better soon" without thinking of the reality that, short of a miracle, it is not going to happen. There are 101 different scenarios contained in this book and Kolbell shows us how to handle ourselves accordingly when faced with a variety of difficult situations. Even if we remember half of what we read, we will still be able to save face and dignity in the most troubling of times and circumstances.

It's about time:
This is one of those books you hear people saying they or someone should write a book about that. And it's a good book, this will help families especially with age diversity, toddlers through teenagers with single or both parents. I don't want to give away any examples here as that would be an unkosher spoiling of this book, we all run into odd situations that are more than touchy, this book is so real on the solutions I am thinking about reading it over. Its good, get it to educate yourself in advance if you don't have a family and for your current relationships. A good book that also helps and is a fun read, SB 1 by Karl Mark Maddox.

Disappointed:
I saw an interview with this author and was very excited to get this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with both the content and the layout of the book. The idea behind the book is wonderful, but the layout is too scattered to navigate thru and the content is a little lacking. I really wanted to love and use this book.

A helpful book:
Most people will find themselves in at least a couple of the situations described in this book and for each one there is a valuable suggestion about how to deal with it. Just being reminded that you should address an issue head on rather than avoiding it made the book worthwhile for me. The suggested scripts provide a good starting point for thinking about how to handle any of the situations discussed.