Bad Childhood, Good Life

How to Blossom and Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood

By: Laura Schlessinger

Narrated by: Laura Schlessinger

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In this important audiobook, 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.

©2006 Laura C. Schlessenger (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Readers already of the Schlessinger school will find much here to appreciate." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent insight and advice! Helped with healing and living a happy fulfilling life.

I experienced an unhappy childhood with a father who was self-centered, mean and narcissistic, a mother who was weak, incredibly unhappy, and had to be hospitalized with a nervous break down when I was eight old. As the oldest of the last six children, I was responsible to help care for them as well as help my mother feel better by listening to her express her emotional pain, unhappy marriage and the sad story of her life prior to marriage. Dr. Laura's book helped me heal. By understanding, facing and accepting the reality of my childhood experiences, I was able to deal with the anger and loss I felt because I didn't have a supportive and nurturing childhood. i've created the fulfilling life I wanted and am very happy.

Love....Encouraged

Thank you Dr. Laura, I needed this book...Thank You for your insight, encouragement and matter of factness. I'm going to listen again because I know I missed stuff the first time and I'm sure I'll listen to it a third time, there so many things I have learner and need to meditate/pray about.

Helpful title from Dr. Laura

Lots of people miss out on life because of "issues" from their past. Instead of enjoying life and moving past whatever happened to them at a young age, they are "stuck" in misery and manage to spread the misery to those around them. Dr. Laura's book, written and spoken by Dr. Laura herself, offers her words of wisdom about how to release your past burdens and enjoy life. I enjoyed listening to the book and I plan to purchase a copy for a friend of my daughter's who had a very miserable childhood and is a very miserable adult at age 26. I hope he will be receptive and that it will be a great help.

I think everyone should read this

This is a book that would benefit everyone - everyone has had some issues with their childhood that they need to come to grips with and get over and move on to a "great Life"

happimess comes from giving and loving yourself

loved this book it opened my mind to know I can break the habit of depression and stop feeding on my emotions ..thank you ..was a blessing to find this book ..

Awesome!!

I really enjoyed the insights , counter to popular belief that we should fix what happened in the past rather than focus on the present...which is a gift. Love Dr. Laura!!!

So amazing

Unbelievable. How can a person pour so much wisdom about a tough issue and then perform, interpretate the audiobook in such a way. Thanks to the person who recommended me the book and thanks Dr Laura for a life of struggle and listening.

Awesome Book

This book has completely changed how I look at the things in my childhood. My perspective has gone from identifying myself as a victim to celebrating the good things in my life. I don't label myself as a "victim" or a "survivor" anymore because that ties my life to a single bad moment.

Having a "Bad" childhood is not necessary to get somthing from this book. It truly will change your perspective about how you deal with events, people, and your emotions.

Turned it off after 20 minutes

Stay away from this book, there are much much better where handled much much less hypocritical. Once she started with the contradictions, along with the crappy attitude that you can hear in her voice, I was out…

Awesome content

This book and information is and will be valuable for my clients! There are too many people stuck here. I have began recommending this book. I can't wait to discuss it with them once they have read it too!