Rating: 
Summary: Mostly common sense and anecdotes about childrearing
Review: Actress Marilu Henner and Dr. Ruth V. Sharon, Phd (psychoanalyst) team up in this book to address common problem situations in raising children. I was initially attracted to this book because the title stood out among all the other parenting books of its kind. Marilu Henner, in her introduction, admits that "I refuse to raise a brat!" was her own memorable quote one day in Dr. Sharon's office when she had reached the limits of her own frustration with her 14-month old boy.
This book is organized into topical chapters, with each chapter consisting of several questions asked by real parents and answered in a few short paragraphs first by Dr. Sharon, then by Marilu (to give a layperson's perspective). They seldom disagree significantly, but rather complement each other's approach to commenting on the issues and looking at the problem from differing angles. The topical questions format seemed very workable, much like that of What to Expect When You're Expecting.
I found the advice to be moderately conservative overall, backed by common sense thinking. Some of the suggestions to common problems worked for me, such as ways to help the older child deal with the arrival of a new sibling. In some places, though, Dr. Sharon comments on subjects that she obviously does not have expertise in, such as in this excerpt from a section on sleep problems: "The overindulged child (less motivated and ambitious) will generally require more sleep than the child who is subject to a balance of frustration and gratification..." and goes on to suggest later that 9 or 10 hours of sleep per night is fine for a toddler. Current research on healthy sleep habits actually suggest that @12 hours per night is the optimum PHYSIOLOGICAL requirement at that age. When Dr. Sharon sticks to psychoanalysis, however, she is not usually far off the mark.
I was unable to determine exactly why Marilu Henner was co-authoring a book on child-rearing. Her contributions are mostly anecdotal. She does put a little down to earth humor into her comments, and keeps the book entertaining. To my knowledge, she has no specific training in counseling parents, nor any special advantage that any other parent of two wouldn't have. The fact that she is an actress isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for expertise on parenting, if you look at it statistically. I would guess that Dr. Sharon was just glad to have the celebrity endorsement helping her book get published and stand out.
I Refuse to Raise a Brat is an easy-read approach to frequently asked parenting questions, and not a bad one; but its standout appeal is perhaps more from the novelty of celebrity authorship rather than any real authority or superior insight. I would not hesitate to recommend it to devoted fans of Marilu Henner or as a light read to parents who are not experiencing any special problems with their children
-Andrea, aka Merribelle.
Rating: 
Summary: Very informative and incredibly entertaining!
Review: After reading all three of Marilu's books, I was anxious to read this new book about raising children. Although I am only 24 and do not yet have kids, I found her book to be extremely helpful. It not only helps you deal with little brats but BIG brats as well. This book is great for everyone, not just moms. For me, learning this valuable information BEFORE I become a parent makes me better prepared for when the time finally comes. I'd much rather start out on the right foot then have to try to fix my mistakes after the fact. Great job Marilu! I look forward to your next book!
Rating: 
Summary: A Word Of Warning - some bad advice in this book!!!
Review: Although I agree with the idea that overindulgence can cause a child many problems, I found that Ms. Sharon and Ms. Henner often contradicted each other. Most importantly, PLEASE ignore any breastfeeding advice you may read in this book! Ms. Sharon's advice to supplement with formula for a low milk supply is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! She may be a trained psychologist, but she knows nothing about breastfeeding! Please, if you need advice about breastfeeding, call your local La Leche League!
Rating:
Summary: Not a Helpful Book
Review: As a parent of three children, I found this book to be obnoxious. What Marilu and Dr. Sharon consider to be "overindulgence", in many instances, I call "nuturing". They don't take into account that you can be a disciplinarian as well as respecting your children for who they are, even when they are young babies. It would be better to buy a comprehensive book on the different stages a child goes through by age since there is no one "right" way that guarantees good behavior in every child. Marilu doesn't have any real qualifications for writing a parenting book other than having two small children of her own. This is not a book to give as a gift to any parent, it is very subjective and could be offensive.
Rating:
Summary: Pathetically stupid
Review: Don't waste your money on this deeply unhelpful book, unless you're trying to build a library of "everything-you-do-is-wrong"- style parenting books.
Rating:
Summary: Just another celeb pretending to be an expert
Review: First of all, i second the opinion NOT to supplement with formula to cure a low milk supply! This advice could ruin yuor attempt to breastfeed. The rest of this book is nothing more than the opinionated ramblings of a moter-nothing more. I found her opinions to be rather detached and very parent-centered, rarely taking into account the feelings of a child. What is seen as indulgent is actually just putting a child's needs first. Is that so awful to do sometimes?Finally, I found her "research" on the family bed to be one-sided and weak.
Rating:
Summary: A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing
Review: Give me a break! Apparently Marilu's therapist gave her some parenting tips, then wrote a book using the star's name (and cheesy advice). Downright pitiful. Let us not forget that Marilu has been a mother for a whopping 5 whole years, hardly long enough to consider her an expert. The worst thing about this book was that they make no distinction between newborns, infants, children and teens. All are covered with pat, easy answers to some very complex questions. The "family bed" answer was dreadful, pompous and ignorant. All breastfeeding advice was suspect, if not downright wrong. I walked away from this book praying that no one else would read it. I hope that Ms. Henner outgrows her "holier-parent-than-thou" phase as quickly as most children outgrow their unpleasant behaviors. A far better book for parenting disipline is Sal Severe's "How to Behave So Your Children Will Too". I don't care for his style either but at least he knows the difference between a 3 year old and a 13 year old. Too bad there isn't a "no star" rating. This book deserved it!
Rating:
Summary: Therapist and Henner Tag-team advice
Review: I agree with some of Marilu Henner's health advice but can't agree with much of the childrearing advice given in this book. To make pat judgements about so many topics that are person-specific is wrong and unfair - for example, Dr Sharon states that allowing a teenager to sleep in on the weekends will result absolutely in a lazy adult. Both Henner and Sharon feel that it is unacceptable to allow a child to take a mental-health day from school. Attitudes expressed about theories and practices that are well-accepted in many other countries of the world (breastfeeding to a later toddler age, the family bed) seem flippant and harsh. Just because certain attitudes prevail in America does NOT mean that they are correct or healthier. While the question and answer format has worked well in other childrearing books, it seemed forced and flip here. I can appreciate that Henner is a comedienne and that a sense of humor is important, but I didn't always find the sense of humor in this book appropriate and often found it grating. There are more comprehensive childrearing books on the market.
Rating:
Summary: I refuse to raise a brat
Review: I can give this book one star since it takes effort to write a book. I was angered by the selfishness of this author. I admit that I did not read the entire book. I was too offended by the first three chapters to continue. The author and her "Doctor" seemed to take good ideas and warp them. Raising children should not be for the selfish. Getting children used to the "real-world" by refusing to rock them to sleep when they are babies is not only wrong, it is hard-hearted. The author uses stories about her own childhood and how difficult it was at times as justification for not attending to the needs of her own child; such as advising to not bother trying to be quiet when her baby was asleep, after all, the "real-world" isn't a quiet place. Sayings like, "I just did not have time to give that kind of attention to my child." is quite the statement on the author's parenting skills. I tried to give this book a chance but three chapters was enough to convince me that it was not worth my time. After all, I have a baby to attend to.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Excellent Advice
Review: I did not expect much from a child rearing book authored by a celebrity - after all, don't we witness daily in the press the effect of Hollywood on celebs and their offspring? However, I will tell you that Marilu Henner has authored an entertaining and insightful book on a topic that I (and I suspect other fathers) as an expectant father have given a great deal of thought. My worst fear is failing to raise my child to respect others, act considerately and behave in a manner consistent with the golden rule. My mother-in-law, aware of this fear, made a gift to me of Ms. Henner's book. I found the book to be a fun read full of lessons learned by Ms. Henner and complimented by comments from Dr. Sharon. Ms. Henner succeeds in providing her audience with an entertaining read while sharing her experiences and advice. Do not buy this book expecting it to be the encyclopedia of child rearing. Buy it to share in another parents' challenges of raising responsible children and you will enjoy.
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