Rating: 
Summary: Stands up for kids
Review: I'm not sure Schlessinger and I could ever be best buddies, but I do appreciate her in that she sticks up for kids. Too many parents use their children as accessories, pawns or surrogate best friends these days. Children are a huge responsibility, and many parents would probably be doing society a favor by getting a pet instead. Society gets to deal with the results of inept, me-first parenting. And the children just get left to deal as best they can.
Rating: 
Summary: bravo for Laura for sticking up for the little ones
Review: If you are a mom that works outside the home, you probably won't like this book. Dr. Laura just tells it like it is and I'm sure alot of people find it offensive. I think it is refreshing to hear someone who sticks up for our children (it should be us-their parents.) As a physician, I see too many people who put there own selfish needs ahead of their kids. If you don't want to raise them, don't have them. Good advice.
Rating:
Summary: You Will Receive What You Wish For - Black and White
Review: Needless to say before you rush out and buy this book, please listen to Dr. Laura on the radio for at least 30 minutes. If you like what you hear, then buy the book. Otherwise the purchase will not be an investment that will bring you happiness or be a gift to a friend or relative that will bring that person happiness. Otherwise like her other bestsellers it is well written with a flowing style and contains some original thinking. But Dr. Laura has definite ideas so know your subject well before you send this as a gift. Jack in Toronto
Rating:
Summary: The REAL TRUTH About This BOOK!!!!
Review: Ok. Let's really get a few things straight for those of you who have read some of the 1-2 star rating reviews and feel discouraged about redaing this book. For one thing, yes Dr. Laura does use the straight-in-your face, to the point kind of language in this book. But, I would never go as far to say that she is "insulting" because I accept that there are different types of personalities in this world and she has made it quite clear, if you have ever listened to her radio program, that that is just her personality and the way she is. Secondly, she has stated time and time again that she is not AGAINST the female race and working parents, she is simply SO passionate about the raising of children and making sure that parents place their children as a priority ABOVE their careers, that she comes off sounding as though she's insulting people when she really is not. Also, I have heard so many callers that FINALLY "get it" and change their lives for the better after Dr laura's to the point, in your face advice is given--for so many it is like cold water being splashed in their face, to wake them up and make them realize the mistakes they are making that are hurting their children. Thanks to her, so many families have changed around their whole life styles in order to allow the mother to stay home with their children. And there are actually people that believe that daycare is BETTER than having a real parent around? Are you kidding yourselves? Would that be the choice YOU would have made as a child? "Day care, nanny, or your mommy--what's it gonna be kid?"
"Oh Day care please!!! I get so much socialization!" Give me a break! Tell the kids that are exhausted and worn out from 9-10 hour days in day care, that it's actually better for them than their own parents. Just look at the Research---"Day Care Deception" is an excellent book which sites TONS of research on the matter and see for yourselves. In my opinion this book is great because some parents, not all, really do need a wake up call. And, by the way, with the computer boom, yes there is LOTS of at-home type of work that you CAN do to be home with your child. This is what I did and--where there's a will, MOST OF THE TIME, There IS a way. Those of you who honestly can't put food on the table or a roof over your heads without two incomes--I am not refering to you. But, I do wish you all the best. Lastly, I find it so sad that so many people judge DR Laura by things and rummers that they have heard about her past. Even if these rummers were true--SO WHAT? Is she leading the same life NOW? No. And yet so many people dig up her past. Haven't you EVER done anything you regreted and later learned from? She has openly stated in her radio program that she has had different beliefs many years ago and how she changed and became the person she is today. I can understand feeling uncertainty towards her if she is doing things NOW contrary to what she states, but her past is her past (even though I don't know or bother to listen to a whole heck of a lot of the gossip around). Anyways, I've said my peace. And I DO recommend this book. Toss any harsh tones in this book aside and instead really ABSORB the POINT of this book--to better the lives of our children. TAKE WHAT YOU CAN LEARN. Good luck, and aLL THE BEST!
Rating: 
Summary: pompous self righteous drivel
Review: Sorry, Laura, I refuse to call a pop shrink a doctor, but this book along the rest your "cataloge" is worse than useless; it is harmful. Her set of morals are crafted from a hodgepodge of flimsy pop attitudes that ultimately serve only to glorify Larua's ever increasing ego. I find it humorous that people will look everywhere but their own soul for advice on life. People will look to almost any one else. Namely, a woman who professses moral accountability but when life throws her curveball she hides and denies (i.e. her false denial that a set of nude photographs depicted her in very imtimate detail.) Sorry but Laura's monotone harping (on husbands, children et, al,) is neither emotionally helpful nor intellectually beneficial. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY.
Rating:
Summary: If only the 'doctor' actually earned a PhD or medical degree
Review: The 'doctor' certainly makes some valid generalizations. For example 'Children without discipline often become adults with tempertantrums, defiance, rage, depression, anxiety, poor school and work adjustment, drug and alcohol abuse'. Who could refute this? Of course we all know of people who never received the benefit of corporal punishment who suffer from those problems. And we all know of people who were raised with little or no discipline who have succeeded in life. More importantly, we know of people who received consistant and fair discipline who are now adults with tempertantrums, defiance, rage, depression, etc., etc. A classic example of seeing only that which 'proves' ones point.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: The real issue behind all the dissenters of this book is that Feminism has failed and that kids really do need fathers and families or they become hyperviolent or hypersexual. Ignore all the Ad Hominum attacks against Dr.Laura and realize it is the lame voice of Mean Spirited Liberals. Listen, have you ever seen a Liberal that wasnt angry ? They constantly criticize Laura about some nudist pics of her in college and use this to attack her for going nude !!! Imagine decadent liberals attacking somebody for being nude !!! Wow talk about the Pot calling the kettle black !!! Buy this book and piss off a Mean Angry Liberal.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book - Even if you are a working parent
Review: This book provides good advice on parenting and is a good resource. It does ignore important research and statistics on quality, loving child care situations. It also ignores the fact that a large majority of the children with a stay-at-home parent still go to a babysitter or preschool on a regular basis so mom/dad can have some needed "time off" - a luxury not had by prior decades stay-at-home moms. I enjoy Dr. Laura's books and radio show - even if there are areas where we disagree. This book is still wonderful and should be read by all parents. (Remember when writing reviews (Judith), if you want to point out how you have to "brave abuse" because you are a stay-at-home" mom, don't do it by bashing working mom's. Perhaps you need to read "The Girlfriends Guide to Getting Your Groove Back" to learn respect for others' family plan.)
Rating:
Summary: Fast Read / Sound Advice
Review: This fast moving and informative book is full of high impact facts and examples which clarify what part fathers and mothers actually NEED to play in the raising of psychologically healthy children. It provides clarity and instruction for the well-meaning but misguided parent, as well as inspiration and encouragement for the intrepid minority who are braving abuse directed toward parents who are making sacrifices to "do the right thing" in raising their own children in today's anti-parent culture. WARNING: adults who prefer not to know facts that will interfere with their personal gratification may be enraged by the well-based information presented here.
Rating:
Summary: If no stars were an option...
Review: This is one sad excuse for a self-help book. This woman offers only her opinion and glosses over important research in the area. She doesn't really understand human behavior all that well and has an even more difficult time writing coherently. She seems like such an angry woman and even her advice comfirms it. I'd highly recommend avoiding this book at all costs. It's a waste of time and money.
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