Lost Without You Dear Dr. Laura, I am 14 years old and live in Wisconsin. I've been a faithful listener to your program for almost 6 years. I too, like many, at first thought that your straight forward talk was too harsh and I disagreed on many of your views, but after a while I realized, "Hey! I never thought I would say this but, this lady's right!" Over the years, I've grown and matured by listening and taking your advice and I'm a new person. My views and morals are totally changed, and I now have a whole new outlook on life thanks to you. I thank God everyday for you and your strong, unbending opinions. If only the whole world took your advice and read your books, which I have read many. I don't even want to think how lost I'd be without you. Thank you, thank you, my God sent hero! You're truly amazing. I plan to join the Air Force in a few years and I also admire your son, Deryk. Please thank him for me, for he too is a hero. Thanks again and God bless, S. More >>

What Makes You Cry? Dr. Laura,Yesterday while at my son's field trip and having lunch with him and some friends, the question was brought up, kids style of "What makes you Cry". The response from most of the 10yr boys were..."when someone sticks something in my eye". But it was the response of one little boy that hit right at home for me..."My Mom and Dad's divorce". At that moment I wanted to grab that little 10 yr boy and hold him until his pain went away, but I knew I couldn't make him feel better; nothing I could do could change his pain. You see, I, almost a month ago, caused this same pain in my own children's lives. I didn't see a lawyer or anything like that, but my husband and I yelled and screamed that we might get a divorce and my son heard it. On the way home that day, I told my son about his friend and what he said. I also said how sorry I was to have scared him in that way, when he heard his father and I fighting. Dr Laura, I'll never say I'm perfect or that life is full of all good times and marriage is easy. But after yesterday, I can say, I will never use those words again (I want a Divorce) because I will remember what that one small 10 yr boy cried about. Thank you for all your books, I have read most, if not all of them. I am forever grateful that God puts little miracles into my life everyday, to remind me of his love. I have 3 of them, my children, and to remember those cries that I want them never to have. Thank you for letting me share, J. More >>

A Young Man's Opinion My boss started out making me listen to you while I was on work release from my high. I am a senior at Maryville high school in a small rural town in northwest Missouri. But lately I have had an amazing turning point in my life. I went out on a limb and bought "The 10 Stupid Things Men Do to Screw Up Their Lives" and I have to say at 18 years old I saw myself as a man already. I mean I was an adult by age, and that alone granted me to be a man, boy was I wrong. After reading your book I say I was just a boy, I had not earned the right to be a man. Looking at my father I saw what is really was to be a man. He worked as a farmer and everyday of my childhood he was gone at sunrise and home at sunset. My mother stayed home with me and my sisters until I was in high school. I never knew how much he sacrificed so my mother could be home with us. He still works everyday and provides my family with all of the needs we have. Looking at him I see I have much more growing up to do and I think with the help of my father and your book I will grow up to be a REAL man and not a boy to my wife. Sincerely A. More >>

Bad Morning, Good Day! Hi Dr. Laura -- Just thought you might get a smile out of a conversation between my six-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter one recent morning on the way to school. My son had had a rough morning. He didn't want to get up, whined through breakfast and was generally unpleasant and difficult. He received some firm motherly instruction (!) and we both were worn out and generally unhappy as we rushed out the door. On the way to school, after we'd both calmed down, I was telling him to just put the bad start behind him and decide to have a good day. My astute and witty daughter piped up and said, "Yeah, you know, follow Dr. Laura's advice: Bad Morning, Good Day." Thanks for all you do! Melinda More >>

"The Book Of Virtues" Dr. Laura, Last night while reading "The Book of Virtues" with my 3 year old we were talking about one of the stories. It was about being nice to people. So I asked her who likes us to be nice to each other and to love one another. I thought she would say G-d, but instead in her cutest 3 year old voice said, "Dr. Laura". Thought I would share this sweet moment with you. Thank you for all that you do! I am who I am today in great part due to you! I am my Air Force Officer Husband's wife and My Kids Stay-at-home Momma! Cheryl More >>

Raising Someone Who Can Help Change The World Dear Dr. Laura, This is a pair of poems written by my daughter and posted on her school bulletin board. Laura just turned 10 and I'm so proud to be raising someone who can help change the world. A proud dad. Charles NO! You think it's cool To vandalize the school. When you ask me to go, I say no. You call me a baby. But I'm not one Not even maybe. I'm going to refuse, That's what I choose. No matter what you say, I'll go my own way. Hey, I won't go, I'm saying NO! by Laura R. 2005 Stand Up For Yourself You want to sneak out at night. But I know what's right, You spray paint the walls, Steal from the malls. I'm putting my foot down, I'm teaching this whole town, That you may not know What's right from wrong. But stand up for yourself, Don't just go along. By Laura R. 2005 More >>

I Wish I Was As Smart As Dr. Laura I was in the car listening to you and stated to my son age 15, "Boy I wish I was as smart as Dr Laura". He looked at me and said I DON'T!!! Stunned I asked why. He said "I would never get away with anything". Lisa More >>

Wisdom Of An 11 Year Old Dear Dr. Laura, As I was driving to pick up my 11 year old boy from school I heard the tragic story you told about the 5 month old baby dying in the car. After greeting my son I told him I had just heard something that made me very sad. As I told him the story he stopped me when I said the dad had picked up the child from daycare. He said "Wait a minute, shouldn't a 5 month old baby still be in its mother's arms?". I explained to him that it is sad but true that many people put their babies in daycare as early as 6 weeks after birth. His comment was "It's like kids who have a teddy bear then they just throw it down when they get tired of it." If only most adults had the wisdom of my 11 year old little boy. Thank you Dr. Laura for all you do, and may God bless and protect your son. Sincerely, Cathy Ellison, another proud mother of an American soldier. More >>

What A Child Feels Hi Dr. Laura #150; The following poem was written by my 10 year-old daughter, Samantha when (God bless the teachers) her teacher asked the class to write a poem about themselves and to start the poem with "I". After turning in her work, Samantha said the teacher came to her and told her she had to hold back the tears because the poem was so moving. Samantha was telling me this story, and I asked her if I could see it sometime. Sami is already a good artist and has written several songs - and I am always interested in her writings. She said "sure". The next evening she handed me the poem with a smile, and walked out the front door with the dog. I started to read the poem with a smile, but was hit by a ton of bricks instead. The smile was quickly followed by tears, then full out crying. I was hearing Samantha's pain on paper over my separation with her father 3 weeks ago. We left her father because of his alcoholism. Hear Samantha's pain: I am confused I wonder if my life will be the same I hear myself crying helplessly I see life... but why am I not living I want my life back I am frustrated I pretend that I am not I feel awful I touch my father's hand, but it's not helping I worry that he just might not be okay I cry at the thought of his betrayal I am scared of life now I understand nothing anymore I say I can make it, but I am not sure I dream that this never happened to me I try not to think about my past I am confused I NEVER had any idea that Samantha was in so much pain, as she never indicated that she was in such turmoil. Consequently, her teacher gave the poem to the school counselor, and I also contacted the counselor, who contacted Samantha. The counselor is now working with her and will determine if she needs further attention with an outside counselor. Thanks to you and your teachings Dr. Laura, I am dedicated to my daughter and we will both get through this. I see the error of my past ways, and now know what to look for in a "real man." But I won't look until Samantha is age 18. Thank you Dr. Laura. I proudly sign my name, Samantha's mom #151; Patti More >>

From A Trade-In Model To A Role Model Dear Dr Laura: I just want to thank you for the changes in my mother. She is now my MOM. She is there for me when I am home from school, she is there for me when I wake up..she is there for me when I just plain old need a hug! It was not always this way. I was a latch key kid.. bounced from friend to friend while mom was at work...a new friend that I would have to call *uncle* every few months. Then mom started to listen to your show. She bought a computer and now works from home. She dumped the lifestyle she had and we even go to church on Sundays. For her birthday I just bought her a copy of "Why do you love me?" Yes I know it is a kid book but the message in it is priceless and ageless... So I thank you for making my mom a mom that I wanted to trade in for a better model...to one that I wouldn't trade in as she is my role model. Thanks! Emelie-jo age 9 More >>