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

Laura Schlessinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2006

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.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With her characteristically pointed advice and take-no-prisoners attitude, Dr. Laura's book Bad Childhood – Good Life tackles one of the most basic questions of therapy: How can a person effectively move past the injuries of a bad childhood? Her answer will be familiar to her fans—look at your current behavior and modify what you can change rather than simply venting your anger or allowing yourself to ever be victimized again.

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

From Publishers Weekly

Tis the season, right? For childhood issues to flare up just in time for the trip home for the holidays. Instead of resolving to lose those pesky 10 pounds, 2006 may be the perfect time to stop letting a bad childhood ruin another year, says Schlessinger, author of seven New York Times bestsellers and host of an internationally syndicated radio talk show. Schlessinger uses radio listeners' call-ins, her own stories and a little help from Carly Simon to help adults stuck in the past break free from destructive patterns and move peaceably forward. "The truth is that there is always a battle between the history and the present," she writes. Schlessinger tailors her advice staples (take charge, get tough, be positive, live for something other than yourself) toward securing victory over childhood traumas by admonishing readers against thinking emotionally about emotional subjects, advocating black and white reasoning (one listener's mother is deemed "evil") and proposing an amoeba-brainless and unthinking-constitutes a workable decision making model. Readers already of the Schlessinger school will find much here to appreciate, though it's doubtful this will win her any new fans.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harper; 1st edition (January 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006057786X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060577865
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Laura Schlessinger received her Ph.D. in physiology from Columbia University and holds a post-doctoral certification from the University of Southern California and licensing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is the author of nine New York Times bestsellers, including THE PROPER CARE AND FEEDING OF MARRIAGE. Her award-winning radio program is internationally syndicated by her Take On The Day company. It's broadcast every day on more than 250 stations, XM Satellite Radio, and the Armed Forces Network, and is stream-linked and podcast on www.drlaura.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm off the fence now..., September 9, 2007

By 

E. Glennon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bad Childhood---Good Life: How to Blossom and Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood (Paperback)

Before I purchased and read this book, I was on the fence, "Did I have a bad childhood?" Well the answer is no, I did not, at least not to the extent that others have had bad childhoods, but the lessons taught in this book in fact can help ALL of us to not take things so personally, and to enjoy what life has given us now, as adults. I love Dr. Laura, I don't alway agree with her, but this time she is just trying to help the adults in this country grow up a bit.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perspective of someone who is NEUTRAL on Dr. Laura, June 20, 2006

By 

Bette (East Coast USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bad Childhood---Good Life: How to Blossom and Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood (Hardcover)

I know Dr. Laura has her devotees, as well as her detractors. Just for the record, I'm neutral on her. I picked this book off of the library shelf based upon the title alone and decided to read it in spite of all of the bad press the author receives, and not knowing what to expect.

I was pleasantly surprised. There is no propaganda here, just helpful bits of information and advice not only from Dr. Laura, but from her listeners as well.

How much you personally gleen from this book depends on how far along you are in your healing. I'm pretty far along, but I still found several helpful pearls of wisdom. Some subchapters did not apply to me at all, so I simply skimmed them. Others who are just beginning on their healing journey will probably want to read the whole book, though, and might confuse some of the messages herein. For example, Dr. Laura's message in general is NOT "get over it." But she makes a point that, once you have identified your issues and dealt with them for a time, there is no need to dwell on them forever. Actually, her message is that you can transform the negatives into positives and have a good life in spite of even the most horrific childhoods.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for people who see themselves as "victims", February 10, 2006

By 

L. Jonsson (Charleston, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bad Childhood---Good Life: How to Blossom and Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood (Hardcover)

I love Dr. Laura, and I agree with 85% of what she says and writes. This book is phenominal. I especially loved the afterword in which she speaks about her own dysfunctional family and her poor relationships with her immediate family members. A great book for people who want healing from injustices that they need to get over.