Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am disappointed that LaRee chose to be dishonest and gaslight much of what her children endured. This might not have bothered me so much if she had just wanted to write her own story, but she worked so hard to discredit Tara by rewriting history. Of course there are inconvenient details we all exclude when we tell our story, and I do believe that is fair in a memoir. However, when you dismiss, whitewash, or ignore your own mistakes while invalidating somebody else, I get crabby. As a mother, I would also feel protective of a child, like Travis, who made many mistakes in his youth. What I do not comprehend is protecting that child at the expense of the victim. I happen to be Tyler's wife. I was a member of the family during many of the events described in both Educated and Educating. Rather than drag out details of family events, I will just say that I was physically present in the room when Travis treated his girlfriends in despicable ways. LaRee had a pathological way of excusing his behaviors and calling him her "Robin Hood" and the one who takes in "the girls with broken wings." I confess I only read part of LaRee's book because the parts I did read were so disturbing and dishonest, I needed to set it aside to maintain my own sanity. Reading her version triggered too many painful memories of my attempts to form relationships with Val and LaRee. Thus, her version did not surprise me, because I have experienced the same gaslighting in my own attempts to interact with the family. To step into Val and LaRee's world is to lose touch with reality, which is why I no longer do that. I hesitated to write reviews, but in the end, I felt the need to speak truth, defend the victim, and give hope to those who might be in similar situations. LaRee attempted to couch her story in the claim that this was a book for her grandchildren, to teach others about homeopathics, and to teach others about homescholing. If you glance at the title and the cover, it's pretty easy to grasp her intent and see through the smoke screen. Ignoring abuse does not make it go away. Telling the victim that if they can't accuse their abuser to their face, they were clearly never abused is ridiculous and cruel. Although some therapists behave in unethical ways and suggest a client was abused when they were not, most therapists do nothing like that. I know LaRee's cult of natural medicine folks will defend her, but I would hope those who have experience with dysfunctional families and abuse will see the truth.