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

This is an older title and I liked that I was able to pay a 'thrift store' price for the book without leaving home and hoping to find it somewhere. It was delivered within the timeframe noted at ordering. It was in VERY good condition. I live in small town, so this was the overall very best way to get this book.

I really liked this book, I only read it because I was curious. As many people here, I too have had a bad childhood. Abandoned in a catholic orphanage at age 3 until 11....then in an abusive foster family. As a child I really never knew what it would be like to be loved and belong to a family. But I am now 62 and have my own family. It is amazing how wonderful my children have turned out. I have had a counselor tell me that lit is not possible to have a wonderful family after a childhood like mine. But I will say "Through Him anything is possible" I have been married for 40 years. I have to say I put many of these principles from this book to work. I never had a victim mentality. I decided at 18 after I left the foster family, that I would not look back and I am now in charge of my own life. But I was angry with God for allowing me to go through that type of childhood. Now looking back I can see how He was there for me. I will not get into detail. But the book has many good ideas that I can honestly look back and say I did that and things worked out for me. If you had a bad childhood I would highly recommend it.

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.

I love this book! I used to listen to Dr. Laura's radio show and always thought she was amazing. I had read her book prior, this time bought it for a friend, but I read it again before giving it to my friend. It is an amazing book for those that want to move on and have a good life and live to be happy leaving all traumas of their bad childhood behind them. She is straight to the point and cites examples of others peoples lives that makes you realize that it is time to really and clearly live to your fullest and best potential.

The whole point of discussing a Bad Childhood is that it can rob you of the ability to make good decisions for yourself. Her solution is to just stop making bad decisions. No help here.

I know this book is awesome. I listen to Dr. Laura daily on the radio so it's a blessing to read her book..

The book contains good suggestions for a productive life, and useful ideas and concepts to overcome difficult life experiences, but only if the reader is ready to implement them. The author, by sharing her own challenging experiences at the end, validated for me that she understands and has lived and found a need for doing what is encompassed in the book.I have given a copy of the book to each of my children with an apology for the 'bad childhood' I gave them. I feel I made a honest effort to break the cycle and not pass on the things I had to live through to my children. I know I didn't succeed entirely, but I know the things I view as being the worst of my childhood were left in my childhood. I hope it gets them on their own road to full, happy adulthood. I'm glad the author took the time and made the effort to help others grow and progress and be happy.

I do not like Dr. Laura. I think she is mean. I have no idea why I picked up this book, but I am very glad I did.This is such a grounded and compassionate book. I've mostly focused on spiritual books for healing childhood pain, you know Wayne Dyer, Deepak, etc, but I needed this to really help me over the hump. I buy it for people all of the time, and get raves about it. I think what I love about this book is the characteristic Dr. Laura brutal honesty, but it is tempered with understanding and kindness. After reading this book, I am finally able to be completely honest with myself about what I can expect from my parents, (and others too), so that I stop trying to get a response that I'll never ever get. I'm much happier now that I have stopped trying to get "juice from a rock", as Dr. Laura says.I didn't have a "bad childhood", but I very much needed this book. Don't let the title sway you. If you are reading this review, you must need this book too. Get it.

One of the best books I have ever read. Helps address trauma in a calm objective helpful yet no nonsense way.

Everyone should read this book and move forward in their lives and if you had a perfect childhood to help others.

Takes time to read this one but a very good book

Worst book I have ever read, useless.

Do not read this if you cant take criticism. The author really rips into her example clients but helps them enormously.You have to want to look into why you still do stuff and accept your role in continuing what's going on with your parents dead or alive . I like it but its not an easy book.