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About the book



Do you care about someone whose actions worry or hurt you? Are you feeling sad, angry, afraid, or frustrated? Is communication with this troubling loved one a problem? You will find help in our book, It’s So Hard to Love You – Staying Sane When Your Loved One is Manipulative, Needy, Dishonest, or Addicted, by Bill Klatte, MSW, LCSW and Kate Thompson, a brother and sister team.

Your troublesome, troubling and troubled loved one (whom we call TLOs) might be your best friend or any relative at all – your mother, grandfather, sister, cousin, son-in-law or daughter. Maybe your TLO has an addiction to alcohol or another drug, or to gambling, shopping, food, work, or something else. Maybe he or she gets depressed often, uses people, gets used by people, can’t keep a job, lies a lot, or has a disability that causes stress in the family. Whatever the situation, It’s So Hard to Love You can help YOU, the only person you can change. By reading the book and working through the exercises, you will learn to better understand your situation, your loved one, his or her problem, and – most importantly – yourself.

Give yourself the time and space to evaluate your situation and this difficult relationship. Learn communication skills and tools that can improve your stressed relationships. Discover ways to look after yourself so you can approach your TLO, and the situations she or he creates, with greater peace, clarity and skill.

In It’s So Hard to Love You you will learn that:
  • You can accept difficult people without accepting their harmful behavior.
  • Taking care of yourself is a loving thing to do that also benefits others.


Authors



Kate Thompson, BSE, is a writer, educator, life skills coach and adult literacy consultant on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. She has designed and operated four social service programs on the Island and has led numerous workshops and courses on sexual assault, abuse, adult literacy, writing, and personal growth. Kate writes for pleasure and has also published short stories, magazine and newspaper articles, poetry, and adult literacy curriculum.

For relaxation, Kate loves to knit, read and get together with family and friends; and after a five-year break, she is getting back to gardening.

Bill Klatte, MSW, LCSW, has been a psychotherapist and social worker for 35 years. He’s currently a psychotherapist at ProHealth Care Medical Associates near Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has counselled thousands of individuals, families, and groups. Bill frequently gives presentations, workshops, and seminars to professionals as well as laypeople on such topics as parenting, child abuse prevention, and self-growth. Bill is also the author of Live Away Dads – Staying a part of your children’s lives when they aren’t a part of your home (Penguin 1999).

Bill’s hobbies include running and working out and spending time with his daughters and grandsons.


Purchasing Information



You can buy It's So Hard to Love You from the links below as well as the independent bookseller(s) in your area.

In addition, It's So Hard to Love You is available in many libraries across North America.

Contact



Bill Klatte and Kate Thompson can be contacted by email at the following email addresses:

Bill: bklatte@ticon.net
Kate: katethompson33@yahoo.com

Please feel free to email us with any questions or thoughts you have, such as:
  • how to deal with your troubled, troubling or troublesome loved one (TLO)
  • how to find and work with a counsellor or therapist
  • interest in learning more about our book
  • interest in our other work.
We will respond as quickly as possible, usually within 48 hours from the time we receive your email.

If you would like a longer correspondence or a telephone conversation with either one of us, we will be happy to arrange this. Email the person you want to talk with, and we will set up a time and payment arrangements.

In addition, both of us are experienced speakers and facilitators. We would be happy to discuss coming to speak to your group or take part in an event in your area.

We look forward to hearing from you.