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Dr. Laura Schlessinger: 'The Proper Care And Feeding Of Husbands'
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Tuesday, January 6, 2004 | Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Posted on 01/06/2004 12:06:06 AM PST by JohnHuang2

'The Proper Care And Feeding Of Husbands'

Posted: January 6, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

Why did you write this book aiming at the women – aren't both responsible for the quality of the marriage?

Of course! However, women are in the unique position of having an extraordinary amount of influence over their husbands, which when exercised thoughtfully, compassionately, lovingly and intelligently results in a happier husband who will "swim through shark infested waters to bring her a lemonade."

Women seem not to understand, or underestimate, the profound power they have over their husbands. Men are very emotionally dependent upon women from the day they are born to the day they expire. This book teaches women to use this power benevolently – which will definitely result in them being happier with life and love.

What are the most common complaints men have about their wives?

What are husbands' most important needs?

What is the No. 1 worst mistake women make with respect to being happy in their marriages?

They marinate in negatives. It is typical of women to fester and ferment over disappointments, slights, annoyances, angers, etc. Women, more typically than men, will go over it ad infinitum in the own heads, with their mothers, sisters, friends, co-workers, neighbors, social groups (remember Jerry McGuire?) – in doing so they reinforce the negative and create a bad attitude – one which turns into entitlement for not being particularly nice.

Attitude is about believing that your mate has your best interests at heart – it is about not letting loving feelings be squelched by everyday annoyances and disappointments; it is about benefit of the doubt; it is about cherishing the moments and living for the well-being of the other and being sustained by the joy of giving and the blessing of receiving in return.

All through the book you say "men are simple" ... isn't that an insult?

Not at all! In fact, most all of the many hundreds of responses I received from men in preparing this book confirmed just that: "Men are only interested in two things: If I'm not horny, make me a sandwich," and "As a man, I can tell you our needs are simple. We want to be fed, we want our kids mothered, and we want lovin'."

What about sex? Are wives obligated to give their husbands sex on demand?

As a woman who happens to believe that orgasms are a fabulous gift and blessing from God, I am amazed at how many women callers are willing to give them up to the gods of "I'm tired," or "I'm annoyed." Now, anyone cannot be in the mood from time to time – that's natural. However, the denigration of male sexual needs (They are just animals) and the use of sex to punish or control (You didn't do what I wanted) and inappropriate prioritizing (My work and children take all my energy) are self-centered and self-defeating.

I ask my women callers who complain that their husbands are not happy with virtually no sexual intimacy (and, by the way, that's what the men truly feel about sex with their wives – it's the ultimate in "acceptance and approval" for them) if they would be satisfied with that profound a rejection and dismissal. They always say, "No, I guess not." Frankly, too many women treat their husbands as accessories instead of priorities.

Are there any marital situations for which your book does not apply?

Yes, most definitely. Where the behavior of the husbands is blatantly destructive, dangerous or evil, this book does not apply.

However, these ideas and techniques have salvaged and revitalized innumerable strained, stagnant, boring, disappointing, annoying, frustrating and even seemingly dead marriages. When I nag a woman caller to try just one simple behavior for one day, I inevitably get the call back that they are amazed at the difference a day made.

Are you going to write the book for men on the proper care and feeding of wives?

Nope. Men are born of women and between girlfriends and then a wife; men spend their entire lives in the tutelage of women. What women accept or reject is largely the guiding force for what men will and won't do. When they are treated with the Three A's, they naturally, and in gratitude and affection, give their women the attention, regard, respect, support and love they want.

The ideas and techniques in this book are simple and sweet. What a blessing for women to know that they largely control their own happiness! My job is to get their prejudices and bad attitudes out of their own way. Transforming your guy into a loving man is its own reward.





TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bookreview; drlaura; propercare
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To: Landru
I just get tired of the spin that comes from certain people. Given the fact that I am a FReeper too, the constant focus on the past and in portraying me in such a negative light (even after agreeing he would stop, which he did for a time, but then started again), I think certain people have little to no self-respect or class. BTW - owner to house is considered an analogy. My point is that when something has a poor foundation, things don't last. In my case, the foundation of the marriage was made of lies told to me from Day One.

I really wish that he would just get over it and stop thinking and posting about me. I should have asked Santa...

41 posted on 01/06/2004 9:41:58 AM PST by technochick99
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To: technochick99
Sorry, my post wasn't directed at you. It was meant as a more general statement but it unfortunately does cast you in a bad light. And yes, as riri stated, it is the same for women as for men (but we can only acknowledge that intellectually).

42 posted on 01/06/2004 9:49:25 AM PST by hopespringseternal
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To: stevio
It takes three to make a good marriage. You need God too. I think my wife and I have a happy marriage. At 7 1/2 yrs and 2 1/2 kids, both have to have their priorities straight. Oh yea, the "gettin' it on" is always getting better.

AMEN!!!

43 posted on 01/06/2004 9:49:32 AM PST by Ann Archy
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To: JohnHuang2; newgeezer
I love this woman.
44 posted on 01/06/2004 9:50:34 AM PST by biblewonk (I must try to answer all bible questions.)
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To: Landru
One thing I learned in Narcotics Anonymous is that I cannot fix other people. So, I'll just keep working on myself. :o)
45 posted on 01/06/2004 9:54:15 AM PST by Lazamataz (G-d gave us free will. The government took it away.)
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To: technochick99
Sometimes women really need to be objective as to whether a relationship is fundamentally unsound.

While some women are clinging to bad men, others are alienating basically good men. It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world.

46 posted on 01/06/2004 9:54:33 AM PST by Land of the Free 04
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To: Ann Archy
It takes three to make a good marriage. You need God too.

AMEN TO THAT!!!

47 posted on 01/06/2004 9:54:50 AM PST by Lazamataz (G-d gave us free will. The government took it away.)
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To: JohnHuang2
Women cannot comprehend just HOW simple men really are. IT seems like a joke to them. It's like that common moment when the wife says "what are you thinking about?" and the husband says "nothing". She feels pushed away, like he doesn't want her in his private world.

Truth is, much of the time we are thinking about nothing.

48 posted on 01/06/2004 9:55:34 AM PST by Taliesan
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To: hopespringseternal
Talk to a woman, and she is always ready willing and able, except that he just wants it at all the worst times.

What, like at the supermarket?

49 posted on 01/06/2004 9:55:37 AM PST by Land of the Free 04
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To: Lazamataz
viewing a mate as an 'objec' that is 'owned'

Who advocates that view?

50 posted on 01/06/2004 9:57:03 AM PST by Land of the Free 04
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To: goldstategop
"I think I'd like to be a loving husband who makes his beautiful woman happy. Who says good old-fashioned marital bliss went out the window with the 60s? Its back with a vengeance and oh the man in me loves the politically incorrect title of Dr. Laura's new book!"

You're on the right track. It's very easy to please a wife if she is willing to be pleased. As a now-sad (recently widowed) but formerly VERY happy wife of a very manly man, I can tell you that the first thing I looked for was a great sense of humor. Then integrity. The rest of it was mostly details, and they can be worked on as you go along. I went out of my way to affirm him in his choices and his good manly behavior (responsibility, diligence, etc.) and it paid off in such wonderful dividends that I am sure that I had one of the great loves of the century. Every couple can have this, if both want it.

51 posted on 01/06/2004 9:58:00 AM PST by redhead (Les Français sont des singes de capitulation qui mangent du fromage.)
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To: hopespringseternal
You're not the one that I was directing my annoyance at, but thank you anyway. It's remarkable, I could have come on FR and slammed my ex-husband so easily just by telling the truth of what happened. However, I thought that it would be terrible of me to do so. And I still stand by that. I haven't posted much of anything of the divorce, the events leading up to it, nor anything to do with his character or personality. But, he feels it's ok to do that to me. I don't want to be put in the position of replying, but I am tired of the way I am being portrayed. Maybe that's something he should place in his journal: "act more like the way John Wayne would".

What happened between us is private and personal. Yet I still see things splashed all about. Tell me hopespringseternal, what's a FReeper chick to do?!?

52 posted on 01/06/2004 9:58:20 AM PST by technochick99
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To: Taliesan
Truth is, much of the time we are thinking about nothing.

Or sex, sports, or what to eat next.

53 posted on 01/06/2004 9:59:32 AM PST by Land of the Free 04
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To: Lazamataz
Kudos to you.

"Tough times make for growth. "

Not necessarily. They make for growth only if you choose it to be so. It's easier just to stay the same and expect the rest of the world to change. Glad you chose to take the more difficult path.

54 posted on 01/06/2004 9:59:32 AM PST by webstersII
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To: Lazamataz
Besides the fact it gave me the impetus to finally get off of cocaine, which in itself is an amazing gift and wonderful miracle, it also taught me that I want a woman who is G-d fearing.

The former is the one thing you've said that's actually shocked me.

The latter...well, I met my wife at a prayer meeting. We are of the same faith. That is critically important for staying together--the time we spend together in worshipping G-d is what gives us strength for the journey.

55 posted on 01/06/2004 10:01:29 AM PST by Poohbah ("Beware the fury of a patient man" -- John Dryden)
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To: Taliesan
"Truth is, much of the time we are thinking about nothing."

One of my favorite scenes from Seinfeld is when Jerry and George are talking about how much brain power men use in thinking about sex.

Jerry holds up a large head of lettuce. He says, "Imagine that this head of lettuce is the brain of a normal human male."

Then he pulls off one small leaf from the lettuce and says, "this is the part of the male brain that is not used in thinking about sex."

What a great show.
56 posted on 01/06/2004 10:03:31 AM PST by webstersII
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To: webstersII
Not necessarily. They make for growth only if you choose it to be so. It's easier just to stay the same and expect the rest of the world to change. Glad you chose to take the more difficult path.

And it has been tremendously difficult.

But wonderfully satisfying.

I like who looks back at me from the mirror, now.

57 posted on 01/06/2004 10:05:43 AM PST by Lazamataz (G-d gave us free will. The government took it away.)
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To: Land of the Free 04
What, like at the supermarket?

Like when the kids are at the grandparents and she just wanted a few days to herself to wander around the house in her underwear without being leered at. I mean, does a woman have to give up everything when she gets married?

58 posted on 01/06/2004 10:06:17 AM PST by hopespringseternal
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To: Poohbah
Perhaps it's not so shocking for someone to admit past mistakes when he has learned from them. I think it takes a fair amount of courage to publicly make an admission such as this, but it may be part of recovery.

As for your latter comment I cannot imagine being involved with anyone who does not have a strong sense of faith and God. I tried it once and learned that I won't go there again.

59 posted on 01/06/2004 10:07:10 AM PST by cjshapi (sus rábanos son muy suculentos)
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To: hopespringseternal
If my wife doesn't want to be leered at, she should wear a burka.

She's VERY leer-able.
60 posted on 01/06/2004 10:07:47 AM PST by Poohbah ("Beware the fury of a patient man" -- John Dryden)
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