Friendship

Leslie and her husband are ready to move on from traveling with their long-time friends, but what's the right way to let them know?   💡Dr. Laura: "You cannot constrain your life in order...

In-Laws

It's only been a year since Jill's sister died, and she's upset that her brother-in-law is now marrying a woman he just recently met online.   💡Dr. Laura: "If you want to keep this...

Workplace

Samantha's co-worker is upset that she was passed over for a promotion and is taking her anger out on Samantha who is up for the job.   💡Dr. Laura: "Publicly encourage her to file a...

Workplace

Denise is thinking of quitting her job as a nurse now that her estranged mother took a job at the same hospital.   💡Dr. Laura: "Leaving a position you enjoy gives her power she doesn't...

Family

My 6-year-old said to me, “Girls like the boys who fight for them.” I looked at him quizzically and then said “And it’s nice to have doors opened too.” I asked him where he learned that...

10 STUPID THINGS

22-year-old Connor is at a loss for direction now that his girlfriend of the past 5 years has moved away.   💡Dr. Laura: "You're just at the beginning of figuring out who you are and where...

In-Laws

My husband’s mother accepted me from day one of our marriage. She treated me kindly, included me in everything and always made sure there were Christmas gifts for me under the tree.  

Family

How should Michelle respond to her mother who just confessed that she cheated on Michelle's father?   💡Dr. Laura: "You are her child, not her friend. Don't let her burden you with her...

Relationships

In part 2 of this call, Allison continues to explore with Dr. Laura how her childhood could have led to her interest in being “the other woman” in a threesome.   💡Dr. Laura: "Negative...

stay-at-home mom

When I became a stay-at-home mom, we had four children. This was during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I lost my part-time job. We’d tried many other times for me to stay...

Relationships

Allison says she is sad and having a hard time moving on after breaking off a three-way love affair.   💡Dr. Laura: "You've successfully avoided the risk of a one-on-one relationship."

Inspiration

I’m a long-time youth sports coach. Many of the kids I know are aging out of these programs. Some go out “on top,” but others have had a tough time. Almost all have had both experiences...

childhood

8-year-old Hinley is being pressured by her biological father's side of the family to stop calling her stepfather "dad."   💡Dr. Laura: "The man who is fathering you has earned the honor of...

Family

Nancy and Henry disappointed that their older son isn't making the effort to fly across country to attend the marriage celebration of their younger son.   💡Dr. Laura: "Don't confuse your...

Family

Jo's sister is a mess and needs support, but caring for her sister will take Jo's time and attention away from her husband.   💡Dr. Laura: "Vows are taken with your spouse, not your family."

Workplace

Heather thinks her supervisor is being unfair by not granting her time off request, especially given how instrumental Heather has been to the company's success.   💡Dr. Laura: ...

Parenting

After years of helping her daughter deal with her significant health issues, Debbie is depressed that her daughter has moved out of her home and no longer wants her mom's help.   💡Dr....

P.C.F.H. / Marriage 101

My husband and I married when he was 24 and I was 23. The beginning went well, but we almost didn’t make it to our tenth anniversary. Around that time, he gave me a copy of “The Proper...

Marriage

Joyce is happily married, but confused as to how she contracted HPV.   💡Dr. Laura: "It's time to calmly discuss the facts and next steps."

Parenting

When my son was 6 years old, every weekend he played with several other kids in the neighborhood, and they were all either at our house, their houses or outside riding bikes or throwing...

Marriage

Bill and Gertie are looking forward to retirement but aren't thrilled to also be taking care of Gertie's mom who was abusive during much of her life.   💡Dr. Laura: "This is your time to be...

Bad Childhood

Nikoly isn't sure how to improve his relationship with his adoptive mother who has a lot of problems and causes chaos in Nikoly's life.   💡Dr. Laura: "Let go of her and hold on to your...

Do The Right Thing

I’ve worked in the mental health field for my entire 30-year career. I’ve worked with kids in residential placements, did crisis work with children and adults, and now I’m a therapist...

Confrontation

Sue says her husband is tired of being taken for granted and is angry that she hasn't shown more disapproval over her disrespectful son.   💡Dr. Laura: "Right is right and wrong is wrong,...

Parenting

One of the things that caught my attention from listening to you is your focus on how to raise a boy into a man. Although I’m the mom, I try not to be a hindrance to my boys’ development...

Divorce

Andrew feels like he's walking through life with a mask, hiding the degree to which he's sad and lonely.   💡Dr. Laura: "Stop trying to make reasonable feelings go away."

Family

Beth is annoyed that her mother gives her mentally ill brother money every month even though she's the good child who's taking care of mom.   💡Dr. Laura: "Don't let sibling rivalry damage...

Bad Childhood

Desiree's mom is a recovering addict who threatens to kill herself if Desiree doesn't visit her.   💡Dr. Laura: "Addicts don't suddenly become better people when they stop using."

Dating

Eva is annoyed that her boyfriend regularly visits strip joints.   💡Dr. Laura: "Dating isn't about changing a person; it's your chance to discern whether someone is a keeper."

Confrontation

Melissa is concerned that her husband is too extreme in his request to test their daughter's boyfriend for drugs before allowing him to visit.   What should we do when we've been wronged?...

stay-at-home mom

Once our daughter was born, my husband and I agreed that it was best for me to quit my job and stay home to raise her and any future children. My husband is an excellent provider and...

Confrontation

Andrea wonders how she can maintain a relationship with her parents who don't get along and constantly put Andrea in the middle of their drama.   What should we do when we've been wronged?...

Marriage

Growing up, I used to listen to you in the car with my mom. I always asked her to turn on “that lady on the radio who yells at everyone!” I gave birth to my first child during the height...

Confrontation

Katie wishes her mom would spend more time with her instead of being overly involved in the life of one of Katie's sisters.   What should we do when we've been wronged? In "Surviving a...

Confrontation

Michael answers Dr. Laura's call to discuss a time when someone apologized for being a bully.   What should we do when we've been wronged? In "Surviving a Shark Attack (On Land)," I wrote...

P.C.F.H. / Marriage 101

I was in a loveless marriage for 35 years. He would always make sure that I knew I didn’t measure up to him. After our four children were grown and married, I knew it was time for me to...

Confrontation

The kids in Elliott's neighborhood have started teasing him for being home-schooled, including some that he thought were true friends. What should we do when we've been wronged?   What...

Family

I’ve listened to you since the mid 90s, when I was in school. Over that time, I’ve learned to not misuse the word “try.” I’ve learned not to confuse uncomfortable feelings with guilt, and...

Confrontation

After hearing Dr. Laura discuss her book, “Surviving a Shark Attack (on Land),” Richard calls to ask if he is correct in thinking his co-worker was a shark.   What should we do when we've...

Parenting

Michelle's 24-year-old daughter wants to move out of her shack-up situation and is asking her parents for the money to do it.   💡Dr. Laura: "Don't rob her of learning how to stand on her...

Family

Renee is sad that she and her son have grown distant since he started dating an older woman with five kids.   💡Dr. Laura: "It's not unusual for people to create what they wish they had had...

Bad Childhood

Angela's physical and emotional health is deteriorating as she deals with the sexual abuse she experienced as a child.   💡Dr. Laura: "While help was something you never had when you needed...

Parenting

Tom is worried that his teenage son is trying to rescue the teen daughter of a friend who recently committed suicide.   💡Dr. Laura: "Talk to your son about what he's feeling and educate...

Confrontation

Betrayals! It’s unbelievable how many of you have suffered all kinds of betrayals. Maybe you didn’t call it a betrayal. For example, we all know the parent who abuses their child is a bad...

Confrontation

For as long as I can remember, I have been my parents’ therapist. I was the one who fixed any big argument between them, and now I’m a mom of two boys and a very happy wife to a wonderful...

Marriage

Cecilia is worried that her husband is an alcoholic because he turns to drinking to unwind from stressful days.   💡Dr. Laura: "Ignite your feminine charms and give him alternative ways to...

Confrontation

My husband and I were close friends with a group of people throughout our early twenties. I was under the impression that they were pro “live your life however you want,” but we learned...

In-Laws

How should Kristen respond to her 92-year-old mother-in-law who is critical of the meals Kristen and her sister-in-law cook for her.   💡Dr. Laura: "Don't take it personally; take pity and...

Marriage

Anna is upset that her husband didn't jump in and help her manage their 15-month-old daughter at a recent pool party.   💡Dr. Laura: "Men are very direction-oriented so simply ask for what...

Confrontation

I’ve had a horrendous few years brought about by family betrayal and my son’s selection of a brutal wife. I suffered greatly emotionally, but I found several things that helped me through...

Friendship

Kassie doesn't want to see or discuss her friend's husband after learning about the abusive ways he has treated his wife.   💡Dr. Laura: "You have the right to decide who and what you allow...