Rating: 
Summary: If you're thinking about having a child, READ THIS FIRST
Review: I'm not a big fan of Laura Schlessinger. In fact, I didn't even know who she was until I started hearing all of the hoopla over her new TV show and the gay rights groups. In any event, my husband and I, both business professionals, are debating about having a child. I wanted one NOW (I am 37 years old!) and he wanted to wait. I heard her plug the book on her show, so I went out and bought it the first day it was released. I read it in one night and then I forced my husband to do the same. We both loved it. It addressed just about every quandary we had concerning raising a kid. After reading this book, I was thoroughly convinced that (as much as I want to have a baby), NOW is not the right time. My husband was actually right about this one. Neither he nor I are ready to quit our jobs. The fact that I want to have a baby NOW is a purely selfish. It's all about me and the ticking of my biological clock and my need to nurture. This book really gets down to the nitty-gritty and made me do a little soul searching. From the looks of things, most parents of today do very little soul searching before they pop out kids. So my husband and I are going to try to ignore the loud ticking of the biological clock. If and when we decide to have a baby, one of us will definitely quit our job, stay at home and actually do what a parent should do. In the mean time, I'll get a parakeet. If my clock stops ticking, we'll adopt. After all, it's about the child's needs, not the parent's. Thanks for the reminder Dr. Laura. She says it best, "if you won't or can't offer your child your being and time, don't make a baby - get a parakeet."
Rating: 
Summary: doctorate in physiology
Review: dr laura has a phd in physiology, but also spent 20 years as a marriage and family counselor. that may not make her any more qualified than a friend to give advice, but it probably means she knows a thing or two about families.i'll be finishing the book today. It is certainly a quick read. I'm interested in her evidence on parenting, because i maintain a website warning mothers about the harm to their infants from too early separation from mom. i doubt the "reviewer" above has read the book yet.
Rating:
Summary: Primitive Viewpoints on Family: The Wrong Message
Review: There are some gems of wisdom here and there in this book, and probably most people who buy it will find it rewarding in one way or another. On the other hand, author Laura Schlessinger is a controversial figure. First, note that her PhD is in physiology, not in psychology or psychiatry, so the "Dr." that gets her so much attention for her radio show and for her books (for adults and children alike) is a bit misleading: she really isn't any more an expert in human behavior and human psychology than you are. So I'm not sure why you should take her advice with any greater seriousness than the advice from your friends--who actually know you, anyway. So keep that in mind. We personally decided to get rid of our copy of this book when we realized that Schlessinger is the subject of a huge controversy whether or not she is a bigot. She also has many odd right-wing viewpoints on the status and role of women in society. The first thing I'd like my children to know is respect and understanding diversity in all its forms--and I didn't want this book lying around for my children to call me to task on some day. But the first thing I want my children to know is that I love them no matter what, and Laura Schlessinger doesn't represent that fundamental message. So, while this is an OK self-help book, its author represents something unseemly and we have decided that doesn't belong in our house.
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