The Control Trap

I read this book several years ago, and it changed my life. Laugh if you must, but as a teen and early adulthood, I truly felt that it was my God-given 'gift' to always take charge and always correct people when they were in the wrong (according to my standards). This book helped me not only to recognize my mistakes, but to see where I had gone wrong, the models I had followed in my life that were wrong, and how to let go of the need to 'Control' everything. There were so many 'aha' moments in this book, and I still have it and reference it, especially since I now have children of my own, and I find myself giving them 'the look'.

This book has so much truth in it! If you struggle with a parent, spouse, boss, or even friend that is controlling - this book will give you good insight. If You struggle with being controlling - this book will really deal with you and what you are really doing to yourself and others in the process. Great counseling tool.

Sometimes what is the most controversial in our minds, is the thing we need to deal with the most. Being in control means things get done, we're never let down, and life will run smoothly...or so we think. Taking control over the lives of others can cause deep stress, physical and mental problems, and division in the household and relationships. This book helps you understand why you do what you do, and allows you to make your own, informed decisions on how to break free from the "control trap."

To say that I am not an avid reader would be an understatement. But when my husband flippantly tossed this book at me and dared me to read it, I grudgingly complied.Through the words of the Barbara Sullivan, I saw very clearly something in myself that I had never seen before: I wanted to control circumstances and situations in my life that were really out of my control. As I read, my heart started to soften and I realized that I had to let go. As I relinquished control in my marriage, my husband started seeing changes in me that he never thought possible. As I gave him the freedom to be himself and not the way I "wanted", we started growing closer. He then began to make changes in himself because now he didn't feel pressured.The fact is, this book was largely responsible for saving our marriage. Read it with an open mind and an open heart.