Family

Gretchen's 18-year-old daughter would like to lose her father's last name and use her mother's maiden name, but Gretchen's not sure that's a good idea.   Dr. Laura: "Trust the decisions...

Family

I was on baby number four, and usually the baby arrived within a few hours after contractions started. This time, my water broke on the way to the hospital, my contractions were only...

Family

I began listening to you more than 25 years ago, when my first child was born. I was the “strict mom” in the neighborhood, and it was reassuring to listen to you reinforce that I was...

Family

Hayley misses her nephew who she no longer sees since his mom isn't speaking to Hayley's family.   Dr. Laura: "Sometimes there's no reasoning with an ungrateful person."

Family

Our dog, Molly, passed away last month. She was an integral part of our family and embodied loyalty, happiness and unconditional love. She was an energetic student willing to learn and...

Family

Margaret moved in with a male friend after her divorce 12 years ago, and even though she's not thrilled with the relationship, she's not sure she can leave.   Dr. Laura: "Life is full of...

Family

Julie is ticked off about her father's recent drug overdose and doesn't know what to do.   Dr. Laura: "Bring your best and healthiest self to your marriage by leaving the past behind."

Family

Sydney just discovered she has a half-sister thanks to an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, but she's not sure she wants a relationship.   Dr. Laura: "Simply having DNA in common doesn't mean...

Family

My husband and I have been married for nearly 36 years. Our kids saw our ups and downs, and they saw us choose to love and be committed to one another through it all. A few years ago,...

Family

My dad has always been a romantic. While courting my mom, he knew she was out with her mother and would have to pass his house on their way home after dark. When he saw them coming, he...

Family

Maria's brother is a jerk, and she doesn't understand why her mother can't see it.   Dr. Laura: "Parents may ignore the truth when it makes them feel bad about themselves."

Family

My father died of pancreatic cancer when he was 76 years old. Besides my husband, he was the finest man I ever knew. If I had the opportunity to say one more thing to him, it would be...

Family

I was 24 years old when I gave birth to my daughter back in 1982. At the same time, I was taking care of my dad, who was dying from lung cancer. There was no hospice at the time, and I...

Family

Carmen and Cheryl are middle-aged sisters who grew up in an unaffectionate family, but Cheryl wants them to start expressing their love for one another.   Dr. Laura: "It's a beautiful...

Family

Angela and her parents don't have a good relationship, and she feels bad that her child won't be close to them either.   Dr. Laura: "You do not need a relationship with unkind people."

Family

Steve loves living in California, but he wonders if he should move back to Utah to help his parents as they age.   Dr. Laura: "Children are supposed to separate from their parents and...

Family

Wendy wants to invite her sister's stepdaughter to a graduation event, but it's causing a problem, because Wendy's mom and sister don't want her on the guest list.   Dr. Laura: ...

Family

Jill feels bitter toward her overweight mother who wants to skip Jill's son's birthday party to avoid eating in public.   Dr. Laura: "Feel pity instead of resentment for her inability to...

Family

13-year-old Jessica's dad is on life support, and her family is wondering if she should be in the hospital room when they terminate treatment.   Dr. Laura: "Holding his hand as you tell...

Family

Susan feels hurt and neglected because her adult son wants to celebrate Mother's Day early since his own son has a travel baseball game on Mother's Day.   Dr. Laura: "You brought your...

Family

The most important lesson my Mom ever taught me came while our family was planning her funeral. We were gathered to meet with our priest, when he asked if there was anything special we...

Family

When I was little, we escaped from Hungary with the Communist army just a few miles from our door. We didn’t know if we would make it out safely. We came under attack from fighter...

Family

My mother passed away at only 62 years of age after a 15-month battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. She left behind not only me, but seven grandchildren whom she dearly loved.

Family

Andrew has always had a difficult relationship with his stepfather and believes he is the reason Andrew isn't closer to his two half-siblings.   Dr. Laura: "Ultimately, we can’t control...

Family

There's a rift in Nicole's family since her nephew damaged her daughter's baby doll and her family will not do the right thing.   Dr. Laura: "Do you really want to be around people who...

Family

Crystal wants to know how to handle her mother who calls multiple times a day whining and complaining.   Dr. Laura: "You can't put an end to that which you don't resolve to stop."

Family

Colleen is the oldest of three children and feels that her parents use her as a mediator between themselves and her sisters.   Dr. Laura: "Nothing is happening to you that you don't...

Family

Brittany knows she should put her husband's needs above those of her parents, but she feels bad about disappointing her mom and dad.   Dr. Laura: "Change may hurt, but that doesn't make...

Family

Twins Sarah and Stephanie just learned that their recently deceased mother excluded them from her will even though they thought they were close to her.   Dr. Laura: "Leaving someone out...

Family

Miriam feels caught in the middle of her sister and nephew's disagreements over the girl he is dating and lets boss him around.   Dr. Laura: “He's too scared to be a man so he found a...

Family

Leann's family helps take care of her baby while she's at work, and she's not happy with their unsolicited parenting advice.   Dr. Laura: “You are choosing to take a back seat to raising...

Family

After many years of marriage, my grandfather on my mother’s side abandoned my grandmother and his three children and left to “find” himself and figure out his life. Nearly one year...

Family

11-year-old Amara is worried about her parents' frequent arguments and calls Dr. Laura with her mom for help.   Dr. Laura: "When you are a mother, your child's security is what matters...

Family

Austin's parents were very manipulative during his childhood, and now that he is a father, he wonders if he should allow them to be involved with their grandchild.   Dr. Laura: "You have...

Family

My husband and I have three sons who we're raising to be real men. We have a traditional (some might say “old-fashioned”) division of labor, but I couldn't be prouder and more fulfilled...

Family

After losing her husband unexpectedly, Kathy started gambling, let her life spiral out of control and now her children have cut her out of their lives.   Dr. Laura: "Do the work on...

Family

Donna's family often joked that she was “the milkman's daughter” and other hurtful comments about being unplanned, and the hurt she felt continues to negatively impact her relationships.

Family

One morning recently, I staggered out to the kitchen for my coffee and saw a note on the counter. It was in my husband’s handwriting and my first thought was “He sneaked off to the...

Family

Matthew wants to spend more time with his cousin, but she's not reciprocating.   Dr. Laura: "Spend time with people who will invest in you."

Family

Catalina's identity has revolved around being her mother's caregiver, and now her older sister is seeking Catalina's support.   Dr. Laura: "The courage to break your old patterns has to...

Family

Bobby is irate that his brother gossiped to a neighbor about Bobby losing his business and his house during the shutdown.   Dr. Laura: "You're transforming your grief into anger."

Family

When I was 13, I called you to ask if I should live with my alcoholic mother. She had told me that if I left my Dad in California, she would stop drinking. She also told me she would...

Family

4-year-old Riggins and his mom call Dr. Laura to discuss his pushing and shoving of his 2-year-old brother.   Dr. Laura: "Use your words, not your hands, to get attention."

Family

Single mom Renee raised her daughter alone and is angry that her now-grown child chooses to spend so much time with her birth father.   Dr. Laura: "Be happy that she finally has the...

Family

Jane's father's health is failing, and she wonders if she should shield her 6-year-old grandson from seeing his decline.   Dr. Laura: "Children need to learn about life and compassion."

Family

Living together in a two-family flat is damaging Leah's relationship with her mother.   Dr. Laura: "Parents don't see kids as grown-ups when they're not fully independent."

Family

Lottie has spent years caring for sick and frail family members at the expense of her marriage.   Dr. Laura: "It's your turn to take care of yourself and have joy with your husband."

Family

Sandy's alcoholic and addicted brother recently cut her out of his life, and she's depressed without him.   Dr. Laura: "He represents something that you're not ready to let go of."

Family

Valerie fears her father will choose to stay home with her mom who has dementia rather than attend Thanksgiving dinner at Valerie's house.   Dr. Laura: "Believing the world revolves...

Family

Will's brother demands money from their parents and threatens self-harm, and Will is caught in the middle.   Dr. Laura: "Don't let his behavior interfere with your life."

Family

A year ago, my husband called you. At that time, he was working for his parents and was miserable, but he was afraid to leave because I was a stay-at-home mom and we had three kids...