“Strong families don’t just happen... they’re built. And you can build one starting today.” If you’ve ever thought, “Relationships should come with instructions,” this is the book that finally gives them. Drawing from 30 years as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Jonathan Sherman teaches 7 research-backed secure-attachment ACTionS that create secure, resilient, emotionally connected families—no matter where you’re starting from. Instead of focusing on what’s “wrong” in your marriage or family, this strengths-based guide helps you identify what’s already right —and shows you how to build on those strengths with simple, actionable steps that work. Jonathan’s warm, humorous teaching style makes the tools easy to understand and even easier to use. You’ll feel like he’s talking directly to you as he guides you toward more peace, laughter, trust, and connection in your home. In this book, you’ll learn how to: Build secure attachment in your marriage and with your children. - Improve communication in ways that create emotional safety. - Restore trust and connection after stress, conflict, or distance. - Strengthen commitment through daily and weekly habits and rituals. - Reduce overwhelm with practical coping strategies. - Create rituals that deepen love and belonging (without adding pressure or guilt). - Replace criticism with appreciation and warmth - Move from surviving… to truly thriving as a family - Apply the AACCCTS Framework ™ used in the Building Strong Families Masterclass The Seven Principles (AACCCTS) aka “The ACTionS secure families take.” Appreciation - Affection - Commitment - Creative Coping - Communication - Time Together - Spiritual Wellness These seven principles are the most common secure-attachment behaviors observed in strong marriages and families around the world. Perfect for: ✔ Married couples wanting more connection ✔ Parents at any stage (single parents, co-parents, etc.) ✔ Engaged or newlywed couples ✔ Therapists, coaches, and clergy ✔ Anyone who wants a proven, hopeful, strengths-based approach Why This Book Works Jonathan has helped thousands of couples and families break harmful patterns, strengthen emotional bonds, and rebuild trust. His combination of storytelling, humor, and practical tools makes this book uniquely enjoyable—and genuinely transformational. If you want your family to feel closer, safer, stronger, and more connected… this book will show you how. Part of the Building Strong Families System This book is part of Jonathan’s Building Strong Families System , a proven model taught to thousands through his live workshops and the Building Strong Families Masterclass inside the RelateGREAT Academy. The book distills the essential principles and practical tools from the full program into an easy-to-use guide for creating a stronger, more connected home. You can use the book on its own or pair it with the video and resource-rich masterclass for a deeper, more immersive learning experience. Either way, you’ll learn the practical day-to-day actions that make marriages and families resilient, connected, and joyful.