NEW BOOK BY DR. CHARLES SOPHY

ON SALE FEBRUARY 2

SIDE BY SIDE: the Revolutionary Mother-Daughter Program for Conflict-Free Communication

BY DR. CHARLES SOPHY

We all know the relationship between a mother and daughter is unique: extremely powerful and emotionally charged. Despite wanting the best for their daughters, many mothers find themselves trapped in a cycle of fighting and negative communication. In SIDE BY SIDE: the Revolutionary Mother-Daughter Program for Conflict-Free Communication (HarperOne, February 2010, Hardcover, $25.99, ISBN 978-0-06-179157-4), Dr. Charles Sophy introduces a ground-breaking plan for moms to develop a strong and rewarding relationship with their daughters for years to come.

In SIDE BY SIDE, Dr. Sophy identifies four key truths about mothers and daughters:

1. Mothers and daughters want the same things: love, understanding, and respect

2. Mothers and daughters speak the same language. Moms and daughters are always communicating, either verbally or nonverbally, in a conversation that begins in the daughter’s infancy. Mothers must recognize the tremendous impact they have, and strive to communicate in an honest, respectful and loving way.

3. Mothers and daughters, on some level, are in competition with each other. This competition can be subtle or unconscious, but it’s important to recognize.

4. Mothers and daughters have estrogen—lots of it. Fluctuating hormones can cause mood swings; to make matters worse, many times mothers are entering menopause just as their daughters are dealing with puberty

Dr. Sophy also unveils a key tool for mothers and daughters: The Chair Strategy, a unique, easy-to-use approach to communication that reduces the emotions of any argument and allows mom to guide any conversation to a place of love and respect. In addition, Dr. Sophy provides a section on Hot Button Issues, helping mothers approach some of the most challenging areas of parenting: sex, money, values, and divorce.

Being a mom is hard work, but Dr. Sophy steers moms through even the roughest waters. With exercises, guided conversations, journaling and real-world stories, SIDE BY SIDE takes the mother-daughter relationship, regardless of its current state, and leads it toward a new level of understanding, love, and true connection.