Stupid Things Parents Do to Mess Up Their Kids

by Laura Schlessinger

Book Overview

Parenthood by Proxy is a passionate and provocative summation of the perils of parenting and a road map to safety for America's families.

Never one to shy away from tough truths, Dr. Laura marshals compelling evidence for the widespread neglect of America's children and condemns the numerous rationalizations to excuse it. Parents, special interest groups, and professionals in education and psychology all contribute to a dangerous...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060933798
• ISBN13: 9780060933791
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Book

Arrived on time Good book

Dr. Psychology is right on!!!!

Dr. Laura was right on! She is correct in saying that children without guidance and boundries have lower self-esteem and experience depression more often. She is also correct in saying that children need to be corrected- spanked. The studies that some on here proport that damage children's self-esteem do not understand how skewed the data is. Many of the so called researchers have included spanking with those who slap, punch, kick, verbally abuse, and even whip their children with metal objects and wooden paddles. For those who have taken a statistics course or research methods course know how skewed this data is. Dr. Laura is going against the grain of society and saying there is a right and wrong and that we are not animals merely here on earth to follow our instincts and live to ourselves. She calls mothers, fathers, and parents to return to a society where people care and our selfless. This book gives great insight into the feminist movement and how socity is taking a turn for the worst!!

Parents' mistakes

Excellent eye-opener for parents caught up in their own world of work, possessions and the need for status. I wish this was required reading for every person that has children--really I wish every person read it BEFORE they have children so they can understand that children's well-being comes before their own and will require great sacrifices and demands on "me" time. Many people seem to want to be parents on "their" time rather than thinking about the needs of children. Too many children are institutionalized in daycare simply because parents don't want to give up their big houses, expensive clothes and new SUV's. We drive used cars and buy second-hand clothes and toys so our kids can have a stay-at-home parent at all times. IT CAN BE DONE!

Let's think about the message in a broader context

Great book; it get's you thinking. My kids arre almost out of the nest and they are all I could ask for. Yes, I worked. But not until they were in school, almost always part time and I did not use 'working' as an excuse to not volunteer at school, sports, and generally be in my kids lives. The point is really about your priorities. Do you instinctively put your kids needs first? It's been interesting to see how things have worked out with families in our area. We have a large group of kids who have been together since kindergarten; now they are seniors. You can instantly tell which parents were connected, involved and had their priorities straight. Not all of them stayed home the whole time. On and off I used to listen to Dr. Laura, frequently agreeing, but many times not. What I love is that she has an unpopular point of view and she's not going to let social, financial, or industry pressure dilute her message. Yes, she's frequently abrasive; so were many people who have made an impact in the course of events in this world. If you are a parent with young children READ THE BOOK at least it will give you important ideas to agree or disagree with.

Read, Think & Consider

I would like to state that I do not agree with all Dr. Schlessinger has to say. BUT on this issue I do agree that too many parents these days place convienence and material wealth over the welfare of children. She does not condem those parents that must work literally to put food on the table, or a roof over a family's heads. Rather, it is a condemnation of personal greed, an attack on the ever increasing need to "keep up with the Joneses." I have been on both sides of the issue as a mother of two. If you are not able to put a career on hold, to not drive the newest car or plan a budget so tight it nearly strangles you - then you will find this book EXTREMELY uncomfortable/annoying/offensive/disturbing - pick your adjective. Personally I am not condeming families where both parents choose to work and use daycare/nannies, etc. I only ask that they truly consider their choices regarding their children, and this book can really help raise the issues parents need to consider. Read it with a grain of salt and an open mind. Believe me, I CAN'T WAIT till my youngest is off to school so I can go back to work during the day!!!

Parenting takes effort? Who knew!

A WONDERFUL book that should be required reading for EVERY womanbefore even getting pregnant. And share it with your husband! Thisbook gives real life problems and practical, common sense solutionsthat actually work, as well as how to help combat the mainstreamattitude that children are here for us and for our 'fulfillment' andpleasure. Parenting is a full time job. Not just a hobby to do in yourfree time. This book will be hated by those who are selfish and don'twant to have to take responsibility and sacrifice for the child theychose to bring into this world.It's sad that we now need a book to tell us to do what both humans & animals have been doing naturally for thousands of years, but peoplehave rejected in recent decades. The facts and the results prove true,and they're worded straight to the point without a lot of fluff andfiller. I liked the original title better, but my guess is the wordswere too big for some peo!ple. I got this one in hardback as soon asit came out and it's the parenting book I value the most.