Rating: 
Summary: ????****&&&&
Review: Starting with the bad: Some of the advice provided is worthless and cold, e.g, both parents coming home at 8 p.m., according to Dr. Sharon "is showing a 5 year-old child a good work ethic." I figure if both parents are going to be out of the home all day while the child sits in daycare and waits, why bother having a "token child" in the first place? Obviously, only brats would raise a child in such a selfish way, anticipating only moments of together time in front of a camera displaying a "happy and intact family." As far as Marilu, her humor is not always appreciated. She doesn't have to be funny "all of the time." Her remarks at times were grating and nerve-racking.As far as the good: Not giving in to your child's every single whim is good, good advice. I appreciated Marilu's perspective in pointing out that she would struggle as a mother seeing her child's heart broken in front of her eyes, but she maintained her parental stance, knowing she did it for his own good, which is comforting. The word "No" used intelligently when raising a child is good for a child's self worth in the long run, as they grow (parents hope) to be responsible adults. Truth is: a spoiled child is a worthless child who grows up to be a selfish, worthless adult, who is always expecting to be served. Ugh! It's interesting to know that a wealthy star like Marilu is doing her children a favor by refusing to give in to their every whim, e.g., not letting them sleep in the "family bed", a fiercely debated topic. As a parent myself, I started noticing some of my own bad habits with my own kids, which after giving it good thought, is good, and I have made some changes that benefit me and my children. Thanks, Marilu! Is this book worth purchasing? If you can get it used, it would be good to get. It's a good read, but I'm not sure I'd want to give it away as a gift because of the book's title; the recipient might take it wrong. Given as an anonymous gift might be the best bet to a parent that you think might benefit from it.
Rating: 
Summary: There should be laws against this parenting style.
Review: The authors suggestions, such as not going to your baby when he cries, are outright appalling. I urge potential buyers of this book to skip it and purchase something by William and Martha Sears, or at least something a bit less Neandertal..oh, wait, even the Neandertals probably comforted their crying babies! Henner fails to produce any evidence supporting her method, which if followed will almost certainly produce a withdrawn, angry child.
Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous book
Review: The premise of this book belies common sense and leading research into what makes babies thrive. Henner and her therapist contend that responding immediately to a baby's needs will produce a "bratty" child, when in fact, a secure babyhood leads to a child who is more sensitive and open to gentle guidance from parents. Babies don't need discipline and they aren't "brats." Additionally, the breastfeeding advice in this book is just plain misleading and will cause grief for a lot of families out there. A wonderful counterpoint to this book (and one that will also offer info on how to raise a well-behaved child) is Attachment Parenting by Katie Allison Granju/William Sears
Rating:
Summary: A complete lack of respect for children
Review: This book is a flash back to the "children should be seen and not heard" era. No one wants to raise a brat, but no one wants to raise a child who has basic respect and compassion withheld from them either. One of many pieces of advice that threw me was about how one should bark orders at children instead of saying things like, "Could you please pick up the pace?" Instead, one is advised to say, "Pick up the pace." I can imagine how I would feel should someone speak to me in that manner -- why on Earth would I do it to my kids? Her theory is that children need to know who's in control and who is the boss. I don't speak to my kids like that and I can attest to the fact they are perfectly aware of whose decision is key. Besides, children learn by example and I would mortified if I ever heard my child barking orders at people because I didn't teach her how to say "Please." One thing that seems to slip both the authors' attention is that all children are different and so are their parents. This book comes off as if all children need to be treated exactly the same. The advice on when to stop breastfeeding is offensive. Advocate for it - great! Tell people when they should stop? None of your business Marilu. Gifted children. Marilu's advice is to make sure that you are not overlooking the talents of your other children - her mother made all of her and her siblings feel as though they were "advanced" (unclear as to whether this was good or bad in her opinion). She brushes off having a child who is an accelerated learner with a tone of disdain as if it is a bad thing. I guess she never had to deal with having a child who is needs to be placed in a grade three years above their same age peers. If a persons concern was replaced by a child with "learning difficulties", would the response be, "Make sure you are not overlooking the problems of your other children?" I could write a dissertation on how vulgar I found this book, but I will try not to waste too much of my time - I have parental responsibilities that need to be fulfilled.
Rating: 
Summary: Roll Over Dr. Spock!
Review: This book is an excellent read! If you are a parent who is genuinely interested in your child's well-being, then this book is for you. If on the other hand you are unwilling to give up that self-indulgent, cuddly feeling of "I love my child so much, I just can't bear to hear him cry", then this book is also for you; you may see your child as he will be 5 years from now. The advice meted out is not what you will get from your child psychiatrist. It is fresh, practical advice that thankfully lays to rest a number of sacred cows of modern child rearing. On reflection, the advice is not so fresh after all - it's the same method our parents and grandparents applied forty or more years ago. The disciples of Dr. Benjamin Spock are going to be horrified at what they read in this book. The book discards the notions of allowing a child full and free expression, whenever and however he feels like it. The authors do not recommend that you negotiate bedtime with your kids, or that you jump to attention every time they cry. This tough approach to child rearing is a bitter pill to swallow indeed for those who need to "feel good". Beware wimpy parents! I disagree with the authors on the notion that spanking is not an effective and healthy method of discipline; but that apart, there was very little with which one could quibble. The book is written in a conversational style, and Dr. Sharon is definitely not professorial. I find Ms. Henner's anecdotes distracting at times, especially since often they serve no other purpose than to gild the lily. At times the stories can be irrelevant and contrapuntal, for example when she relates the occasion when she was ill as a child. The insertion of the unnecessary anecdotes makes for some jerky sections, but overall, the book is organized and flows smoothly. The sections titled "When Little Brats Become Big Brats" that appear at the end of each chapter are insightful, if not prophetic. This book truly represents a welcome departure from the conventional wisdom of modern child psychiatry.
Rating:
Summary: Little more than child abuse!
Review: This book is shameful. It is little more than child abuse cloaked by celebrity. she sounds like a contemporary "mommy dearest" and surely her children will get their literary revenge some day!
Rating:
Summary: A bunch of nonsense!
Review: This book was a waste of time and money. Marilu should stick with acting and leave the book writing to the experts.
Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: This book was horrible. Most of the book is done in a Q&A format, and Dr. Sharons responses are usually a cold and simple 'You're doing it wrong and your kid is going to grow up to be a drug addict because of you.' After her response, Ms. Henner gives her answer in one of two formats: 'This is how my parents did it,' or a stupid joke that avoids the question. The authors make generalized comments on sensitve issues that are entirely based upon the norms of our culture, and they are completely intolerant of other views on child rearing. This is probably the worst 'You're doing everything wrong' book I've ever read. It is so full of self-promotion it makes me sick. She Obviously thinks her parents did a great job, just look at how wonderful she is!
I actually might have given this book a 2, because I completely agree that children aren't helped be answering to their whim and shielding them from all the responsibility and heartache of real life. It was Dr. Sharons comment that a child whose parents both work until 8 at night is somehow benefiting by having parents with a strong work ethic that earned her boycott status. These women annoy me so much that I don't think I'll ever be able to purchase anything with either of their names on it again.
Rating: 
Summary: Good concept - rather thin
Review: This is a pop psychology book written for the "National Enquirer" crowd. It is not deep. The treatment is superficial. HOWEVER! The main message is quite valid and there are a lot of moms and dads out there who may be wonderful, well-intentioned human beings and are unaware that permissive childraising can have some serious negative consequences. So if you are unsure if setting limits, enforcing consequences, and making demands on your children are "right", read this book. Bottom line: If you don't enforce limits on your children, if you don't clearly spell out your expectations, if you don't ALWAYS follow through with meaningful consequences, you run the risk of raising, not only a brat but in severe cases, a sociopath. At the very least, you'll have 18 years with an unhappy child who makes your life miserable.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Awful
Review: This is probably the worst childrearing book I have ever read. Where should I begin? As others have previously said, the breastfeeding advice is just plain stupid, and if Marilu got an award from LLL shouldn't she be aware that the World Health organisation reccommends b/f for 2 years and beyond? This has been done for 99.9% of human history ---- were all our ancestors 'overindulged'??!! (in fact, it is well known that societies in which children are breastfed for a few years produce children that are happier, better-adjusted, and respectful --- read 'The Continuum Concept') As has the 'family bed', most people in the world sleep this way now and seperate sleeping arrangements have only been around for about 200 years, even in the West. The example she provided about cosleeping was to the extreme, and it is a fact that more babies die in cribs than their parents bed (check out askdrsears.com for more info)Common sense is the key when cosleeping - it is important to follow safety reccomedations, and there should be no problem. I am not for permissive parenting, but it seems to me this book has gone to the other extreme and takes the stance that all instinctive nurturing is harmful. There is a middle-ground to be had between permissive and authoritarian, if we recognise that children are PEOPLE, and not nuisances to be cut down to size. I couldn't believe that this appalling Dr. Sharon was praising parents who both worked till 8pm for instilling a good 'work ethic' in the child. Is she trying to assauge her own guilt or something? I was flabbergasted. I am just saddened that some people will read this book and disregard their own instincts to follow its advice. I certainly would not want to be the child of that Dr. Sharon! If you want to raise insecure, lonely, joyless, frightened children this is the book for you.
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