[T Minus Four]

I think she's a remarkable woman.

[Old Professer]

"Both of my parents are now deceased. While I will share some of my personal issues with you, I am not – as are the other contributors to this book – anonymous, and I don't wish to do damage to my parents even after their deaths.

By the time of this last conversation with him, I had pulled back the lens and looked at him with objectivity. I was not the little girl trying to get approval from her dad. I was a grown, competent woman looking at a man who had been petty, insensitive, mean, thoughtless, demeaning and downright unloving, all for the sake of his own ego."

Either this woman needs an editor or big-time counseling.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Sadly, when my father finally died shortly after this conversation, I did not mourn.

When my mother died, I didn't mourn.

IMO Dr. Laura would have been better off not writing this book.

[FormerLib]

Articles such as this always bring out an amazing number of Dr. Laura bashers.

Makes you wonder about their motivations, mostly.

[GOP_Proud]

bump for later

[PetroniusMaximus]

Man! Poor Laura. Now wonder she chose a career therapy.

[Stone Mountain]

I see she waited until her parents died and weren't able to tell their side of the story before she released this.

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

I just finished this book over the weekend and I can't tell you how much useful and wonderful information I got out of it...she captured so many things I have been trying to articulate to my significant other.

It was a not so gentle kick in the ass...to take what life puts before you and decide if you are a glass half full or half empty kind of person....

[HungarianGypsy]

Without going into much detail, my mom and I have never gotten along. As an adult I apologized for my smart mouth ways, but she eventually began to think of me as her shrink and babysitter. After dealing with enough drama my husband told her she was not welcome in our home again. Sometimes I feel bad since I do not know where she is (she would call me every once in a while to tell me she had disowned me and that according to her paperwork and will her daughter was dead) , but a sense of relief since my children no longer have to put up with the drama.

I remember having such fear of having a daughter, since I thought all mother/daughter relationships were so toxic. Yet, my daughter has always been my shadow.

[irishjuggler]

He was a very difficult, compulsive, critical and argumentative guy – who could also be very charming.

She is her dad's kid.

[yldstrk]

I completely understand, Laura. My parents suffered thru WWII and were strange also. I had to think my way out of it too. WWII left a lot of folks scarred forever, don't dare think otherwise.

[Irish Queen]

I spent decades mourning my still living mother. She is now eighty-four years old, and I feel confident that no one will mourn her. Neither my sister or I have deserted her. My sister lives three hours away from her and visits her weekly. I live nine hours away, and visit her about six to eight times a year. Because of my father's hard work and innovations my father is an exceedly wealthy woman. Ever since my father died some twelve years ago, mother has lived alone with an assortment of household help (cook, housekeeper, gardener, and a rotation of five personal attendants). As a consequence of a life of maligant narcissism she is friendless, bitter; a hollow shell of a human being.

If you grew up with a narcissist, and would like to talk about it, please feel free to contact me. I have some insights about the situation that you might find helpful.

[ladyjane]

I don't wish to do damage to my parents even after their deaths.

I can't imagine what she would write had she wanted to do damage!! LOL

[mountainfolk]

Dr. Laura is still mad at her mother. Either because she died or for the 'issues' relating to their estrangement. Too bad. I have a relative who is the same way. Regardless of those who think it is therapeutic to 'let it all hang out', I fail to see what good has been accomplished with this one sided account of a less than ideal childhood. At some point in our lives, we accept responsibility for what we have made of ourselves regardless of adverse beginnings. I have listened sporadically to Dr. Laura over the years and found her advice excellent at times and downright mean at others. I hope she finds peace now.

[CSM]

self ping for later read.