•Expecting Change: The Emotional Journey Through Pregnancy

•The Relationship Tool Kit

•Living With Loss: Meditations for Grieving Widows

•In My Prime: Meditations for Women in Midlife

•Starting over: Meditations for Divorced Women

•Reflections for New Mothers

•Reflections for Expectant Mothers

•Reflections for Newlyweds

•Yawn: Bedtime Reading for Insomniacs

•Protect This Girl & Protect This Girl Journal

•Loving An Imperfect Man

•He Just Doesn't Get It

•The Indispensable Woman

•Running On Empty

•Divorce Is Not The End Of The World

Title: The Indispensable Woman

Publisher: Bantam Doubleday

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Summary: In this positive, reassuring, and groundbreaking book, Ellen Sue Stern offers more than a quick fix to women-and men-whose destructive behavioral patterns are undermining them and their most important relationships. Through case studies, self-tests, and a step-by-step recovery program, you will learn how to relinquish control and codependence, let go of guilt and break the pattern of indispensability so that you can focus on what's most important in your life.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE AN INDISPENSABLE WOMAN?

1. Do you live by a list?

2. Do you take on more than you can comfortably handle?

3. Is it hard for you to ask for and accept help and support?

4. Do you look more "together" than you feel?

5. Do you find it difficult to sit still and do nothing?

6. Do you believe that other people don't realize how hard you work and how much you do?

7. Are you chronically tense, frazzled, and exhausted?

8. Is it hard for you to appreciate your accomplishments because you're worried about the next thing on your list?

9. Is it easier to do it yourself?

10. Do you secretly believe that no one can do the job as well, as fast, and as efficiently as you?

Contemporary women face the daunting challenges of using our energy wisely, balancing family and career, and giving of ourselves without giving ourselves away. Like Kate Reddy in Alison Pearson's best selling novel, "I Don't Know How She Does It,' we run ourselves ragged juggling so many competing demands that we run the risk of compromising our physical health and emotional and spiritual well-being. Finding balance is an ongoing process of redefining our bedrock values and most critical priorities. When we hold ourselves to high standards, we make a commitment to reach for our highest vision of what's possible. When we make ourselves indispensable, measuring ourselves against impossibly perfectionist ideals, we squander our energy and lose sight of our deepest sense of purpose and meaning.

CRITICAL PRAISE FOR THE INDISPENSABLE WOMAN

"Indispensable for women who want to recover." Anne Wilson Schaef, "Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much"

"A hard look at the problem of indispensability and perfectionism in women. An enlightening read." Melody Beattie, "Codependent No More"

"Practical, helpful and insightful. The codependent woman's guide to building a recovery." Patrick Carnes, "Don't Call It Love"

"Offers a compassionate response to the compulsive doing that often seems to drive women today." Susie Orbach, "Fat Is a Feminist Issue"

"Ellen Sue Stern writes with empathy and wisdom...I recognize on these pages a passionate ally to my generation of women. One feels, on turning the last page, like writing to the author and thanking her for the reminder that life is full of work and responsibility and, oh, yes, joy." Mary Kay Blakely, "Wake Me When It's Over"

* Check out Ellen Sue Stern's keynotes and workshops on balancing work and family and on overcoming indispensability.

* Check out "Running On Empty: Meditations for Indispensable Women"-Ellen Sue Stern's best selling daily companion for women who make themselves indispensable.

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