Bad Childhood---Good Life: How to Blossom and Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood

In this important book, Dr. Laura Schlessinger shows men and women that they can have a Good Life no matter how Bad their Childhood.

For each of us, there is a connection between our early family dynamics and experiences and our current attitudes and decisions. Many of the people Dr. Laura has helped did not realize how their histories impacted their adult lives, or how their choices in people, repetitive situations, and decisions -- even their emotional reactions -- were connected to those early negative experiences, playing a major role in their current unhappiness.

For these people and millions like them, too much time is dedicated to repeating the ugly dynamics of childhood in a vain attempt to repair or cope with deep hurt and longings. Too often they use their emotional pain to control others or excuse their own inappropriate and destructive behaviors. Some turn to therapy, only to find themselves trapped in their self-pitying victim mode, robbed of optimism, confidence, and growth.

Dr. Laura will help you realize that no matter what circumstances you came from or currently live in, you are ultimately responsible for how you react to them. The acceptance of this basic truth is the source of your power to secure the Good Life you long for. In her signature straightforward style, with real-life examples, Dr. Laura shows you what you will gain by not being satisfied with an identity as a victim, or even as a survivor -- but striving to be a victor!

In Bad Childhood -- Good Life, Dr. Laura will guide you to accept the truth of the assaults on your psyche and soul, understand your unique coping style and how it impacts your daily thoughts and actions, and help you embrace a life of more peace and happiness.

Bad Childhood -- Good Life comes from a compassionate and personal place. Dr. Laura also reveals some of her own experiences with a difficult childhood and what efforts it took to attain a Good Life. She writes, "My resilience has paid off, and I'm doing the best I can with what I've got." Now you can, too.

Forget about simply accepting or forgiving your parents for their errors—Dr. Laura extols the virtues of conquering. Through excerpts from her radio show and letters from her listeners, she illustrates her points about guilt, anger and fear in personalized accounts from individuals. Short lists and question/answer sections make for an easy read that allows you to smoothly fast forward and backtrack to the topics you find most relevant at the moment—and numerous references to other chapters and her website provide all the additional information you could want. Faith is a subtle but definite component; some readers will find it the most helpful part of the book while it decidedly won't appeal to others.

Not everyone will agree with—or appreciate--her succinct manner that drives right to the root of issues. Like her show, the book presents absolutes rather than possible alternatives. For readers looking for a definitive method for moving past childhood issues, Dr. Laura might offer the solution. Jill Lightner

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Not worth it, 2008-11-16
I am dissapointed in this book. I am not a fan of Dr. Laura but decided to give her a chance; however, this book is boring, repetitive and unsophisticated. It is mostly a collection of Dr. Laura's self indulgent ramblings, inlcuding written clips from her radio show where she saves the world with her "insight" and "briliant" words and gets a big pat on the back from the caller. This goes on and on and on and on for pages, all for her to simply say, "if you have had a rough life, get over it." I expected more depth and insight from a PH.D.


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Overwhelming at times, and extremely helpful!, 2008-09-06
The tone of this book starts out a bit differently than some of Dr. Laura's other books, and I was afraid it wouldn't be as good, helpful, or focused (i.e., less helpful). Those fears were proven unfounded!

There were so many letters and calls referenced in the book that reminded me of my upbringing, and as the pace and flow of the book picked up, I couldn't put it down--until I came to the part about a woman who had been told by her mother that she wished she'd aborted her: My mother once told me the same thing (as well as the fact that she wished I'd never been born, was useless, lazy, dumb, etc., ad nauseum), but the only reason she hadn't was because it was illegal at the time and she feared for HER safety (no such concern for the safety of the little tiny person inside her). It is no exaggeration to say Dr. Laura really helped me realize that no matter how much parental love is needed, not everyone parents their children. Some people are little more than sperm- and egg-donors; some parents are just selfish, mean, evil jerks, and will always be so, and there is strength to be found in facing the fact that they will never apologize or even acknowledge any hurt or wrongdoing on their part. Further, that it is generally healthier NOT to forgive them, because that is merely the final insult to a child (of any age) who has been hurt and damaged by a parent--that the abuser is absolved of all responsibility and treated as if it never happened.

If you even THINK you might turn into your abusive, selfish, evil, jerky parents, please buy this book for your children's sake, and break the cycle of pain.




0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Bad Childhood---Good Life, 2008-08-18
Perfect! Received very quick and it was in wonderful condition even with the book cover still on and lookin great.


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

The best book you will ever read to move on a bad childhood, 2008-08-17
I was scheptical when i ordered this book, When i started reading it I could not stop, After years of counseling, this book was the affirmation of what had happend to me and it was not my fault. Dr Laura is the best. This is the first book I read of hers, after reading this one I will buy more. I wish she would write another one regarding bad parenting and childhoods,


2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Advocates the Christian God?, 2008-05-16
This book has some great advice but it is sometimes expressed very rudely. She starts this book out excellently, explaining how isolation dehumanizes people. I loved the first half of this book, but then it got too negative. Most people who have moved on needed and received some empathy somewhere. For those who haven't, find others who can understand what you're going through and hear you out with a positive outlook. I found how to do this for myself and others when I read a great parenting book, Between Parent and Child. I also received empathy from people like this at my church. Oh, and for those who say Dr. Laura is advocating turning to the Christian God to heal, I saw quite the opposite at times.

Jesus taught that forgiveness is essential; Dr. Laura disagrees.
He taught that there are times to cut relationships off; Dr. Laura agrees.
He taught us to love everyone, including Mom; Dr. Laura disagrees.
He taught only those who deserve it should be thought of as family; Dr. Laura agrees.

When she agrees with Christ, I don't think she means to. Minimal references to Christianity was in some of the quotes of real live experiences of those who have moved on to a "good life".

In the back of the book, Dr. Laura shares some of her family life growing up, which I found very interesting.

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