Hi Dr. Laura!
As a pre-teen, I owned "
Ten Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives". I thought to myself, "where did I put that book when I was busy acting stupid and messing up my life?"
I became an unmarried, single mother just about a month before giving birth to my son. It was from that point on that I had to fight with every ounce of power in my body. I had to go to court several times a year for 5 years to keep my son.
Fast forward to yesterday when I picked my son up from school. We came home, had a snack and began to try to do homework. I tried everything to get him to cooperate with me. Even going as far as using candy corn to illustrate subtraction to him! When we got to his least favorite subject, Spelling, this was not on HIS agenda and he got very upset. He crumpled up the papers, screamed and called me names; ripping and throwing things along the way. Without me raising my voice even a hair, he had flown off the handle.
This was not the first time his anger has been present and I was very upset over this. He woke up equally uncooperative the next day as he was getting ready for school. I dropped him off at his class and continued on my way.
As I went to work, I felt drained. I thought I was doing everything right. In my mind, I believed I had every right to be upset with him. After settling in at work and shaking off the previous night, I tuned into your show late, but for some reason decided to re-start the program. It was a good thing that I did! I was blessed to hear the very beginning commentary of a father describing the exact same situation.
I was brought back to Earth with your response. You said it's too much for a 6 year old and the child had enough. I was so set on checking off the me to-do list, I neglected to do what my son needed. I thank you so much for the service you provide to families as well as your guidance.
Lots of respect and thanks again!
Laura
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