Synopses & Reviews
The paperback edition of the huge national bestandndash;seller in which Dr. Laura Schlessingerandndash;still America's top radio talk show hostandndash;gives advice on how women can make their marriage thrive after the wedding bliss subsides.
In her most provocative book yet, Dr. Laura urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they yearn for in marriage.
Women want to be in love, get married and live happily ever after. Yet disrespect for men and disregard for the value, feelings, and needs of husbands has fast become the standard for maleandndash;female relations in America. Those two attitudes clash in unfortunate ways to create struggle and strife in what could be a beautiful relationship.
Countless women call Dr. Laura, unhappy in their marriages and seemingly at a loss to understand the incredible power they have over their men to create the kind of home life they yearn for.
Dr. Laura's simple principles have changed the lives of millions. Now they can change yours.
THE PROPER CARE AND FEEDING OF HUSBANDS have salvaged and revitalized innumerable strained, stagnant, boring, disappointing, annoying, frustrating, and even seemingly dead marriages. I have had women calling almost daily, bitterly criticizing their men, reporting months of seemingly useless martial therapy (aka "gripe hours"), and at their wit's end about what to do with their marriages. After I ask (well, really, nag) them to try just one of the hints found in this book, they call me back amazed at the positive results in their feelings about their men, their husbands' demeanor, and the atmosphere in the home.
Review
"While many of her listeners and readers claim her unequivocal advice has salvaged teetering marriages and improved marital harmony, others perceive Schlessinger as a throwback to what many see as years of female oppression in the home." Publishers Weekly
Review
"In point of fact, there is nothing wrong with (or revolutionary about) Schlessinger's core point....But she beats her message to death, resorting to wild generalizations; repeating ideas, thoughts, and phrases ad infinitum." Booklist
Review
"Dr. Laura's new book, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, is, like most of her other books, a bit of a turkey....Laura Schlessinger has a genius for broadcasting: she's quick-witted and sharp-tongued, and she possesses a clear and arresting point of view, all of which makes her compelling on the air. But the exciting feel of the show doesn't come across on the printed page." Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic Monthly (read the entire Atlantic Monthly review)
Synopsis
Women want to be in love, get married, and live happily ever after. Yet disrespect for men and disregard for the values, feelings, and needs of husbands has fast become the standard for male-female relations in America, often creating struggle and strife in what could be a beautiful relationship.
Countless women call Dr. Laura, unhappy in their marriages and seemingly at a loss to understand the incredible power they have over their men to create the kind of home life they yearn for. Now, in her most provocative book yet, Dr. Laura shows you with real-life examples and real-life solutions how to wield that power to attain all the sexual pleasure, intimacy, love, joy, and peace you want in your life.
Dr. Laura's simple principles have already salvaged and revitalized innumerable strained, stagnant, even seemingly dead marriages and have changed the lives of millions. Now they can revitalize yours!
Synopsis
The national best-seller in which Dr. Laura Schlessinger--America's top radio talk show host--gives advice on how women can make their marriage thrive after the wedding bliss subsides.
In her most provocative book yet, Dr. Laura urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they deserve in marriage. Women want to be in love, get married and live happily ever after, yet countless women call Dr. Laura, unhappy in their marriages and seemingly at a loss to understand the incredible power they have over their men to create the kind of home life they yearn for. Dr. Laura shows real-life examples and real-life solutions on how to wield that power to attain all the sexual pleasure, intimacy, love, joy, and peace desired in life. Dr. Laura's simple principles have changed the lives of millions
Synopsis
The #1 National Bestseller
In her most provocative book yet, America's top radio talk show host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they deserve in marriage.
Women want to be in love, get married and live happily ever after, yet countless women call Dr. Laura, unhappy in their marriages and seemingly at a loss to understand the incredible power they have over their men to create the kind of home life they yearn for. In the Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, Dr. Laura provides real-life examples and real-life solutions on how to wield that power to attain all the sexual pleasure, intimacy, love, joy, and peace desired in life.
Dr. Laura's simple principles have changed the lives of millions. Now they can change yours.
Synopsis
In her most provocative book yet, Dr. Schlessinger still America's top radio talk show host takes a look at husbands and wives after the wedding bliss subsides, and gives advice on how women can make their marriage thrive.
Synopsis
In her most provocative book yet, Dr. Laura urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they yearn for in marriage.
Women want to be in love, get married, and live happily ever after. Yet disrespect for men and disregard for the value, feelings, and needs of husbands has fast become the standard for male-female relations in America. Those two attitudes clash in unfortunate ways to create struggle and strife in what could be a beautiful relationship.
Countless women call Dr. Laura, unhappy in their marriages and seemingly at a loss to understand the incredible power they have over their men to create the kind of home life they yearn for. Now, in The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, Dr. Laura shows you—with real-life examples and real-life solutions—how to wield that power to attain all the sexual pleasure, intimacy, love, joy, and peace you want in your life.
Dr. Laura's simple principles have changed the lives of millions. Now they can change yours.
Synopsis
Dr. Laura Schlessinger believes that, contrary to popular belief, it is not just the men who drop the ball after the marriage. The typical complaint is that men stop being romantic after hitting the altar; but the women do, too: Wives also tend to take their men for granted. Dr. Laura has spoken with women who debunk the myth that it's only the men who lose all interest in the relationship after the wedding. There are women who expect their husbands to fulfil all marital and familial obligations even when the wife decides sex is out! Some female callers display a lit of hostility towards domestic issues (like cooking dinner and keeping things cleaned up) even when they are primarily at-home/part-time. Other female callers expressed disdain for any activities and pleasures their husbands have outside of their own participation and control. And some have serious problems with their husbands' (prior) children and families, expecting him to sacrifice all his familial ties for her. No matter if you're the husband or the wife, you might recognize yourself in one of these categories. In The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, Dr. Laura shows you how to sift through these problems and come out with a happier home life, one that will sustain you for years and sustain your children. After all, helping married couples improve their relationships is the single best means of making the world a safer place for children.
About the Author
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the author of ten New York Timesbestsellers, and a regular columnist for NewsMax. She is the number one female talk-show host and the third-most-listened-to talk-show host in America. Her award-winning radio program is heard on more than 250 stations internationally, XM Satellite Radio, and the Armed Forces Network, and is streamed and podcast on her website and YouTube channel. She lives in Southern California with her husband.
Author Q&A
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?
- Their women don't seem to have much regard for their feelings and needs
- Their women constantly criticize and dismiss them
- Their women don't seem to want to go out of their way to please them
- Their women nag, demand, and complain and seem to behave as though they were entitled to do so
- Their women don't make them feel truly needed and valued as men
What are husbands' most important needs?
- He wants to feel like a "man" to his woman; he wants to feel that he is providing and protecting
- He wants to feel that she needs and admires him
- He wants to know that she desires him
- Basically, The Three A's: appreciation, approval, and affection
What is the number one 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 can not 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 borne 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.