Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17602 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-01
• Released on: 2006-01-03
• Format: Bargain Price
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

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.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Schlessinger is, of course, a recognized name as an internationally syndicated radio talk-show host and author of seven previous best-sellers. Her latest book will no doubt hit the best-seller lists as well. And like its predecessors, this one is based on her research, in other words, the calls and letters that came into her radio show. Her point here is to guide readers in getting past any emotional damage they suffered at the hands of their parents so they may lead productive, happy lives. But, as Schlessinger admits, it "sounds obvious. So why isn't it that simple?" She starts with acknowledging that many people don't realize that childhood history can indeed have an impact on the way adults lead their lives. On the other hand--and this is the premise of her book--keeping yourself in a perpetual state of victimhood because of childhood pain ensures you will experience little or no movement toward a nondestructive, loving, secure adulthood. Schlessinger offers advice on the best steps to take to move in that direction and, truthfully, there is something in this book for everyone to benefit from. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

A Good Life IS Within Reach!
A friend who's known me since I was ten suggested Dr. Laura's Bad Childhood - Good Life to me while we were on the phone a while back. I cringed. Ick.

I was not a fan of Dr. Laura's at the time, and from what I recalled of the few times I listened to her in the past, really didn't want to hear what she had to say about how to deal with an abusive childhood. Would she really understand? Could she? I couldn't imagine.

Later, while grocery shopping, I picked the book up off a rack and read the passage on the back cover. I was surprised to read that Dr. Laura advocated those who've been through abuse should stop calling ourselves "victims" or "survivors," and instead move on to being "conquerors." She didn't simply dismiss with a snippy "get over it" like I'd assumed.

Aroo? Conqueror? That actually sounded pretty good to me. OK, I'll bite... I checked it out from my local library.

I have since bought myself a copy and read it twice. It was either that or buy the library's copy because I'd never return it.

Dr. Laura illustrates through numerous phone calls and letters from listeners, ordinary folks like you and me, how we CAN move beyond our pasts to a better life. She shows the reader the secret blessing in that as adults we can choose something better for ourselves, no matter what.

Mind you it cannot be done through self-will; I learned this the hard way (okay, I admit I STILL am) and Dr. Laura reinforces that lesson. We need to be willing to reach out to others who can validate and support us through the journey of leaving an ugly past behind.

At the same time, she minces no words when she says that there is no such thing as completely healing. A scar will always be there, reminders will always come up. The key is to accept them.

Dr. Laura suggests finding a relationship with God (and so do I). She also cuts to the chase by offering phrases that empower and encourage, such as not letting what others did to us yesterday define who we are today, and not seeking love from the Devil, aka family members who have gravely failed us.

Dr. Laura is a staunch advocate of examining if we are better off with or without toxic family members, and not just immediately cutting people off because they make us uncomfortable. She helps the reader examine where on the spectrum someone falls today - are they simply annoying, or are they evil?

If it's the former, how can we find peace in keeping that person in our lives if it's not necessary to cut them out? If it's the latter, do we really need to feel guilt over letting natural consequences occur because someone refuses to be responsible for abusing or abandoning us, especially when we need to consider protecting loved ones in our lives who can't protect themselves? In fact, is what we feel really guilt, or the natural grieving process in letting go of what could no longer be?

Finally, Dr. Laura offers us a glimpse into her own not-so-good childhood that helps to personalize the overall messages she offers. She does so in a way that is lovingly put and at the same time made me feel compassion for her difficulties, and hopeful... because if she could climb out of the pit of her past, well, why can't anyone?

Before I was finished reading this book, I was able to tackle some difficult dilemmas that I'd struggled with for years, and act on them. I know that I made good choices simply because they were right, and better yet I've set good examples for my children.

I am thankful that I was able to open my mind to what she had to say; I've since become a regular listener to Dr. Laura. While sometimes I wonder what color the sky is on her planet, other times I'm cheering "Right ON!" when she fearlessly lets people know we need to take a stand on certain moral values and protecting our children. Thanks to her I know now that a Good Life is indeed within my reach, and every day I am able to claim myself as a conqueror is a victorious one.

I'm off the fence now...
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.

Perspective of someone who is NEUTRAL on Dr. Laura
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.