Bad Childhood

Ashley's estranged father is sick, old and alone, and she's wondering if she should try to rekindle a relationship with him.   💡Dr. Laura: "Circumstances may have changed, but that doesn't...

Bad Childhood

Lindsey thinks her Asperger's syndrome is the reason her mom has been cruel to her, but Dr. Laura helps her understand that her mother is the true problem.   Dr. Laura: "Don't take her...

Bad Childhood

Bob says he was a confused teenager from a broken home when he was sexually abused by an older man, and he wonders if therapy might help him overcome his anger.   Dr. Laura: "Some victims...

Bad Childhood

Charlie struggles to let go of her mother, despite the price of abuse.   Dr. Laura: "When you finally understand the truth, it’s so simple."

Bad Childhood

Ashley struggles with mental health issues and believes that her parents are actually making her condition worse.   Dr. Laura: "Limit your contact with poisonous people."

Bad Childhood

At 51, Trisha says she still suffers from the pain of living with an abusive father who belittled her and told her she would never amount to anything.   Dr. Laura: "You will know you're...

Bad Childhood

In part 2 of Heidi's call, she's not sure she's able to give her father another chance at a relationship and asks Dr. Laura what she should do the next time he asks to see her.   Dr. Laura:

Bad Childhood

In part 1 of this Call of the Day episode, Heidi tells Dr. Laura the story of her molestation by her brother and how her parents worked to sweep it under the rug and keep the ordeal a...

Bad Childhood

Elizabeth was molested as a child and says the damage she feels from that continues to haunt her 21 years into her marriage.   Dr. Laura: "Slowly but consciously reclaim control over your...

Bad Childhood

Kristin was sexually abused by her father when she was 8 years old, and she says that she's taken back to that night each time her husband wants to touch her.   Dr. Laura: "You were...

Bad Childhood

Lauren cut her father out of her life, but sometimes feels unhappy and unsure about her decision.   Dr. Laura: "Doing the right thing doesn't necessarily feel good."

Bad Childhood

Melissa says she's angry over the lack of rules and poor guidance she got in her childhood and it's affecting her relationship with her mother.   Dr. Laura: "As an adult you are obligated...

Bad Childhood

Can you relate to Chuck? He's a caller that I featured in Bad Childhood, Good Life. Chuck felt stuck in the past, filled with pain from his childhood abuse. It was damaging the good life...

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Moana, molested by her mother’s fourth husband, believes she's the "bad person" ...    Dr. Laura: "A Light Bulb Went Off!" 

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Suzy’s mom passed away from COVID-19 but she finds herself confused by both relief and grief.    Dr. Laura: "You are mourning the loss of hope." 

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Charlie hasn’t spoken with her dad since he was found guilty of being a sex offender!    Dr. Laura: "Never embrace evil for a dream or fantasy." 

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Iris is an only child and raised by her mom who never married. When she attempts to show her mom attention, things don’t go right between them.    Dr. Laura: ...

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: The last five years of Laura’s relationship with her mother were not happy ones to remember. Her mom indulged in alcohol and was physically and verbally...

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Madeline is sad that her father is spending less time with her as he places his priorities towards his newly pregnant girlfriend.   Dr. Laura: "There are some...

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Josie’s therapist has suggested the choice is hers to have a relationship with her mother or not. She’s considering a minimal one but is unsure how to...

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Betsy continues to go back to her childhood trauma from 30 years ago that she allows to manifest daily.    Dr. Laura: "Don't bother rehashing childhood misery...

Bad Childhood

Bad Childhood, Good Life Week: Charlie was physically abused by his mother until his mid-teens. This abuse has taken its toll on his ability to be a good dad and has made it difficult to...

Bad Childhood

Amanda's parents both suffered from mental illness and she's sad about her lost childhood, which was spent raising herself and taking care of her siblings.   Dr. Laura: "Look at yourself as...

Bad Childhood

It took me a long time to realize I could take the things I saw and learned as a child and walk a completely different path. I’m 59 years old, and was finally able to talk to my parents...

Bad Childhood

Tabitha was placed into foster care after her father ruined her childhood by leaving her mother.    Dr. Laura: "You are an amazing woman; you came from hell and built heaven."

Bad Childhood

19-year-old Kassidy has a bad dad and doesn't know what to do about their lack of a relationship.   Dr. Laura: "Find a good replacement for what isn't good in your life."

Bad Childhood

Elizabeth's father hasn't been supportive, involved or loving, and she feels pretty bad about herself as a result.   Dr. Laura: "You cannot count on selfish people to behave in lovable...

Bad Childhood

Marcy sent a group text to her siblings about the physical abuse she endured as a child, and many of her family members are mad at her now.   Dr. Laura: "Don't fret over people who are...

Bad Childhood

Jack's mother has done a number of terrible things to him, but he's still hoping there is some way to have a relationship.   Dr. Laura: "Acknowledge what you don't have and put effort into...

Bad Childhood

Steven's tumultuous childhood and bad parents are still impacting his life in a negative way.   Dr. Laura: "Holding on to hope can hurt more than rejection."

Bad Childhood

15-year-old Beth needs help telling her father how she really feels about her parents' divorce and her dad shacking up with his girlfriend.   Dr. Laura: "You'll be disappointed throughout...

Bad Childhood

Monica is trying to get her life on the right path, but her negative relationship with her mom continues to bring her down.   Dr. Laura: "Respecting yourself is more important than liking...

Bad Childhood

I came from a home where I had very poor role models as a young woman. My mother and father divorced when I was ten, and my mother immediately started dating…a lot. She introduced me to...

Bad Childhood

For many years Rosa distanced herself from her family because of her verbally and physically abusive father, and now that he's dead she's confused by how she should feel.   Dr. Laura: "It's...

Bad Childhood

My childhood was a life of chaos on the road for nine years with indifferent parents. I was repeatedly abandoned, including the day I was left on the side of a highway at six years old. I...

Bad Childhood

Jan was raised in foster care and says she has carried negative feelings and thoughts of being an “outsider” throughout life.   Dr. Laura: "You are in control of your negative self-talk."

Bad Childhood

Sarah was molested as a child by her father, and she would like to contact him and tell him how he has affected her.   Dr. Laura: "Letting something go is the only way to have inner peace."

Bad Childhood

I grew up in a chaotic household. My father was disconnected, an alcoholic and used money he made as a tool for guilt. My mother had a temper, so their fights would get loud and violent...

Bad Childhood

12-year-old Jayna is living with her grandmother because her mom is drug-addicted, and her father has been in and out of jail most of her life.   Dr. Laura: "No matter your background, you...

Bad Childhood

I had a dream that deeply worried me – I was a new mother with a baby, and I dreamt about being on a rock holding my baby and having no way to get off the rock safely with my son. It was...

Bad Childhood

9-year-old Chloe's mom is in and out of her life and treats her badly when she is around.   Dr. Laura: "Stay away from destructive or dangerous people."

Bad Childhood

Cathy's mom didn't protect her from being molested by her father, and they fight about it every few years.   Dr. Laura: "We have two opportunities in life to have a good parent-child...

Bad Childhood

Elaine is a recovering alcoholic and fears she is too broken to be happily married.   Dr. Laura: "Your husband's love is the therapy you need."

Bad Childhood

This week we're listening to the Top Call of the Day episodes of All-Time!! Janice has acted as the adult in her relationship with her parents. She calls Dr. Laura for help.   Dr. Laura: ...

Bad Childhood

Marissa is frustrated and stuck in a hopeless dream, because she believes that if she cares for her father’s well-being, things will change.   Dr. Laura: "You’re desperate for your Daddy to...

Bad Childhood

Despite showing kindness towards her, Kim’s mother has been physically and mentally abusive throughout her life.   Dr. Laura: "Stop thinking she’ll turn into a nice mommy." 

Bad Childhood

My parents divorced when I was 12.  My father moved out-of-state and within a month, my mother began dating a new guy.  My mother’s boyfriend was known to us, because he was her...

Bad Childhood

Because they had bad parents, Julie’s mom raised a younger sister, and Julie is still hurt and angry.   Dr. Laura: "You can stop getting wet from the rain by coming indoors." 

Bad Childhood

Melissa has a long history of poor communication and being unable to live up to her mom’s expectations.   Dr. Laura: "Stop being rebellious; be sweet and you’ll see a different “mommy.”" 

Bad Childhood

Being sequestered with my husband and children has made me reflect on my family and childhood.  I’m a new listener, but when I heard you say “turning your child into your ‘friend’ is a...

Bad Childhood

Molested at age five, Nicole now faces long-term damage as an adult.   Dr. Laura: "In truth...you should be more angry with your mother!"