Has Anyone Read Dr. Laura's New Book--In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I am wondering about Dr. Laura's new book, In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms. I keep meaning to pick it up, but since I haven't yet, I thought I'd ask what you thought. My favorite book ever is The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands. It was the best money I ever spent. I had a good marriage before, even a very good marriage, but I read it and it transformed me and now I am happy to say I have an amazing marriage. Everytime a friend comes to me for advise (and it is often) I always suggest they read it. Some have, others think I am crazy, but it worked so well for me.

Anyway, back to the new book. Is it interesting? I don't know much about it. I used to listen to her all the time but they took her off our local radio station. I miss it and always search for her when we are traveling.

Anyway, what did you think? Is it worth picking up? I love knowing there is a book validating what I have been doing for the last 15 years. Not that I need it, but it's nice to know.

 

[SLK1]

I saw it the other day and liked the title certainly, but I was hesitant to buy it based on what someone told me about the first book (Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands). I know she's very conservative, and I am too, but from what I heard (from someone who knew someone else who read it), it basically told women to become a slave to your husband and he'll be happy. Maybe I'm wrong - but I didn't have time to read it myself so am speaking ignorantly - but if that is true, I do not agree with her ideals!!!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Wow, I know a lot of people don't like her but I know a lot of people do. I can't believe nobody has read it.

As for The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands saying that women should be slaves for their husbands, obviously I disagree. It made such a difference in my marriage, and feeling like a slave would not make me feel better. But a few people I have told about the book told me they have hears the same.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Hmmm.... I guess no one ha read it. I'll have to pick it up this weekend and give it a go. Maybe I will post what I think when I get done.

 

[WeDisney4]

Sorry I haven't read it. But Thanks ~ I am going to ck out The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.

 

[dancin'girl]

I have read the Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands and I did feel like she was wife bashing a little. It seemed like she was really blaming all marital problems on the woman. But...I do have to say that I am a better wife for reading it - it really made me think about all the wonderful things my husband does for our family and me, too. I was really taking my DH for granted, and this book can bring you back to all the reasons why you married him in the first place! I would definitely recommend it!
Now...I will have to pick up that SAHM book at the library. Thanks for mentioning it!

 

[Mommy2three]

You know Dr. Laura also has a book out for husbands about their wives too

 

[Mommy2three]

Product Description

They number in the millions and they are incredibly important to families and to our society, yet they are underappreciated, little respected, and even controversial.

Who are they?

They are the stay-at-home moms.

These are women who know in their hearts that staying home to raise their children is the right choice for the whole family. Some do it from the outset of their marriages, while others make the difficult transition from career-driven women to homemakers. Either way, it is a choice that is incredibly rich and rewarding, not to mention challenging.

Now Dr. Laura, building on principles developed during her long career as a licensed marriage and family therapist, provides a wealth of advice and support, as well as compassion and inspiration, to women as they navigate the wonders and struggles of being stay-at-home moms.

Learn how:

* to hold your head high and deal with naysayers;
* to see the benefits of being home not only for your children but also for your marriage;
* to understand the changes you see in yourself;
* to realize that the sacrifices you endure now will make for lasting bonds and a stronger family, in addition to a more cohesive community.

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms is a special book, a profound and unique understanding of how important it is for mothers to raise their own children.

 

[okeydokey]

I think it's funny that Dr. Laura bashes Moms that don't stay at home yet she doesn't either. I try not to follow marriage advise from someone who cheated on her husband and wound up divorced herself.

 

[brymolmom]

I think I will pick up the HUSBANDS book and give it a look. Hey - I'm all for trying to improve (and maintain) my marriage.

However, after that description by a pp about the SAHM's book I think I'll steer clear. I am both a SAHM and a Working Mom as I work part-time so some of my challenges fall into both camps. But I can't stand the 'raise their own kids' statement by anyone. It implies (IMO) that parents (moms AND dads) who work do not raise their own children which is usually wrong and very hurtful to those who juggle 10 million things at home PLUS an outside-the-home job. I would hope this book wouldn't totally exclude dads too. I know SAHD's are in the minority still, but there are a bunch, and each family needs to look at their own unique situation and determine which parent will fit best with the SAH job, assuming it is their desire to have one of the parents at home with the kids.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I was just wondering more about it. When I was able to listen to her and heard about previous books I knew a bit more about them.

I would never tell anyone what to do with their own families, my family is my only business and pleanty for me to take care of. I think everyone has to do what is best for their family, and that is what I am doing. Personally, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands gave me a lot of insight and helped me, like I said my marriage was very good but now it is amazing. The things I realized that I had not before made us both so much happier. I had not realized until yesterday when I was looking up her new book that there was a book for husbands. So, I am going to be picking up a couple books this weekend. Not that I think we need it, but I didn't think we needed the other book but wow how much it gave to our marriage. So why not?

As for her first marriage, it's not my concern, if you learn from your mistakes and can teach others how not to make them, why not? I can see how you can take it as hypocritical, I just see it diffferent. We are all different. Doesn't make me right or you right, we all are allowed to believe what we choose.

For those couple of you who said you were interested in The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, I hope you get a lot out of it. My DH and I have been together for 18 years, married for almost 16 and people tell us all the time we act like newlyweds. It wsn't always like that but some things I learned in the book made me act a little different which was actually fun for me and the response it got from DH was pretty great and it made changes in him. I wish that on everyone however you discover it because t makes like much more fun!!!

 

[mom2aredhead]

Just more trash to throw onto the "Mommy Wars" fire. I won't read it.

I was a SAHM for a while after my son was born. Then I went back to work full time for a while, and now I work part time which of the 3 is the option that's working best for me. All in 5.5 years.

When I was staying home, the mothers in suits carrying briefcases and diaper bags looked down their noses at me for giving up my career, my income, my identity as something other than a mom, and for no longer contributing financially to our household. Clearly I wasn't a "real mom" - because a "real mom" would be able to have a family and a full time career at the same time.

When I was working, the SAHM's looked down their noses at me for leaving my child to be raised by strangers, putting my career first, making money more of a priority than my child, and missing out on my son's childhood. Clearly I wasn't a "real mom" because a "real mom" would give up their job to devote 100% of her time and energy to being a mom, because that's the most important thing.

The last thing in the world I would read is another book that perpetuates any of these stereotypes. We all do what we think is best for our children - financially, emotionally, spiritually, and I personally don't need validation from anyone, especially a pseudo-celebrity radio doctor.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Well, there are books and at least one magazine about being a working mom, so I think it is nice that there is one about being at home (the first I know about but could be wrong.) Again, I agree most moms do what they think is best for their situation, I however and in the SAHM group so I was interested in this book. Again, not saying it's for everyone.

 

[Nom]

I am not a Dr. Laura fan- when I used to listen to her radio show I felt that she was too judgemental and mean to her callers so I stopped listening.

I am glad the OP got something out of the pervious book. For anyone else who is not a dr laura fan, you might find this article about her new book interesting; I found it thought provoking. There is also a link to the forward of the new book in the article.

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/04/09/dr_laura/

 

[connorlevismom]

I think it's funny that Dr. Laura bashes Moms that don't stay at home yet she doesn't either. I try not to follow marriage advise from someone who cheated on her husband and wound up divorced herself.

I agree. I heard her on TV talking about this book and I just had to roll my eyes.

Kristine

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I am not a Dr. Laura fan- when I used to listen to her radio show I felt that she was too judgemental and mean to her callers so I stopped listening.

I am glad the OP got something out of the pervious book. For anyone else who is not a dr laura fan, you might find this article about her new book interesting; I found it thought provoking. There is also a link to the forward of the new book in the article.

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/04/09/dr_laura/

I can sometimes agree with that. I think people can agree with some of what a person says but not all of it. I wouldn't say I agree with everything she (or anyone) says.

Really I was just curious because of the changes I felt in my life after the previous book, would this book also impact me. The first book gave me insight that made me a better wife, would this one give me insight to make me a make me a better mom? (I think I am a very good mom, but would like to be great.) Anyway, I have not listened to her but a handful of times on vacation in years since we stopped getting her, so maybe she is even more mean, I don't know. Still though, I am curious about the book and plan to pick it up.


Again, this is just my opinion, not saying anyone should be a fan or not, not saying anyone should read it or not.