Parenting

19-year-old Abby is resisting her parents' rules and expectations now that she's a college student.   Dr. Laura: "The person with the responsibility has the power."

Parenting

When I was in law enforcement, your radio program was always on in the squad car and you were a great source of advice and entertainment for me. My kids were becoming teenagers at that...

Parenting

Even though my mom encouraged us to have careers, I always knew my foremost goal was to be a mom and I met my future husband early in college. I got a teaching degree figuring that I...

Parenting

These days, it seems like parents are worried about making their children upset rather than the other way around, and it’s even come to a point that parents appear to be actually afraid...

Parenting

Mark was raised by his grandparents and wonders how to explain to his children that their aunt is really Mark's birth mother.   Dr. Laura: "Teach your kids that human connectivity is...

Parenting

When my son graduated from high school, he and I were at odds. It had been going on since he was 11 and was struggling with being bullied at school. I was the target for his...

Parenting

I was one of those moms who thought I could work and my daughter would be fine. I told myself she was having fun playing with the other children when I picked her up 3 hours after...

Parenting

Josh is not sure what to say to his 19-year-old son who recently moved away with the military and now wants to marry a girl he met on a dating app.   Dr. Laura: "Parents should bluntly...

Parenting

My name is Autumn. Forgive me if this letter isn’t very sophisticated; I’m only three months old. My mom used to think there was nothing wrong with day care, but then she started to...

Parenting

I’ve always said “parenting is simple, but it’s not EASY.” I’ve learned that if you start these three things when they’re young, you’ll admire your kids as they mature:

Parenting

Stacey and her husband's disagreement over whether their son should repeat the 4th grade is causing a lot of stress in their marriage.   Dr. Laura: "Sometimes getting your way takes...

Parenting

My husband and I instilled what we call “healthy fear” in our boys – they knew if they misbehaved, didn’t listen or were rude that there would be consequences. I was always considered...

Parenting

My 28-year-old daughter called yesterday to share a conversation she had had with her co-workers about how they were raised, and how their parents did or did not help shape them into...

Parenting

I always love hearing your stories about mother birds and the chicks in their nest. That story came to life recently while my husband and I were chatting over coffee, when THUD, a small...

Parenting

We have two respectful, responsible young teenage sons. They have worked on school projects, played sports and volunteered for various community services. Our friends ask us numerous...

Parenting

Sonya's son's hamster escaped after she accidentally left its cage door open, and she hasn't admitted to her son that she is the reason for the loss.   Dr. Laura: "Show the character you...

Parenting

Shannon's teenage daughter has started using drugs and getting violent with her siblings and mother.   Dr. Laura: "Learn from your mistake with your first child, and don't repeat it with...

Parenting

Michelle's teenage daughter has started to disobey and talk back to her mother, and Michelle would like to know if she handled their recent fight correctly.   Dr. Laura: "Don't miss...

Parenting

When my mom was 20, she got pregnant. Her boyfriend stepped up and proposed to her, but my smart, spiritual, wise mom knew that a young partying college student wasn’t ready to take...

Parenting

Even though her daughter rejects her, Annie keeps trying to help her bratty, snowflake daughter become a happy, successful adult.   Dr. Laura: "Once your child grows up, it's her life to...

Parenting

At the time I had my first son, I was still a teacher and was also an active member of my church. As he became a toddler showing his independence, I stopped teaching (because I didn’t...

Parenting

Krystal's husband says their 4-year-old daughter should not be allowed to play with mommy's makeup, but Krystal remembers loving it too as a child and thinks there's nothing wrong.   Dr....

Parenting

As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I see a fair number of children up to five years old with delays of various kinds. I’ve also noticed the immense value of invested parents in...

Parenting

My triplets left for college two years ago, and as a stay-at-home mom, I was left with only my youngest child. I thought my world would end because being a mom to four was the job I was...

Parenting

Ashley and Thomas are looking for ways to get their preschooler to be more obedient.   Dr. Laura: "You have to be clever and creative when parenting."

Parenting

I started listening to you more than 25 years ago from the back seat of my grandparents' Buick when my younger brother and I would travel with them during the summers. Now that I have...

Parenting

After trying to conceive for three years, my husband and I got pregnant, but lost our baby a few weeks later. During that time, baby showers were torture. Birth announcements and baby...

Parenting

Grace is frustrated that her 15-year-old daughter is a little lazy and doesn't get very good grades.   Dr. Laura: "Sometimes we have to accept that our children won't live up to our...

Parenting

May's 8-year-old son is getting in trouble at school and home for his poor sportsmanship and defiant behavior and punishing him isn't working.   Dr. Laura: "Parents need to model the...

Parenting

With 4 kids (ages 4 to 11), my husband and I don't have a lot of free time to "visit" with each other, so we have to get creative, waiting until we are sure everyone else is asleep. It...

Parenting

Sandi's 16-year-old daughter doesn't want to hear her mother's opinion on her lying, cheating boyfriend.   Dr. Laura: "Being a wishy-washy parent tells kids they can play you."

Parenting

I am blessed to be the at-home, homeschooling mom to three daughters, with number four on the way. Hands-down the best part of mothering is the time I get to spend with them. I love the...

Parenting

It still surprises me when I hear mothers and fathers call who clearly do not want to parent their children! If I didn’t want to follow the rules while living under my parents’ roof,...

Parenting

I often hear you talk on your show about the importance of having an alpha male as a role model for our sons, and that reminded me of a story from years ago. At the time, I had been...

Parenting

Daniel wants to know if it's OK for his two young children to spend each night with him and his wife.   Dr. Laura: "Kids need to grow up respecting the marital bed."

Parenting

Ray's 16-year-old daughter is wondering at what age she can start having sex.   Dr. Laura: "Being ready for sex is about being able to handle the realities and consequences."

Parenting

Years ago, when our son was in junior high, he finished his school year with a typical teen attitude. He had a summer job lined up, but had two weeks between school ending and his...

Parenting

Mindy's son is 18, and she's starting to think maybe she should have another child.   Dr. Laura: "Be grateful for your time as a mom and look forward to discovering what's next."

Parenting

Liz is concerned about how much her children see her using her iPhone and wonders if it will lead to bad habits in them.   Dr. Laura: "The more kids watch adults relying on phones, the...

Parenting

Now that schools are talking about opening up again, I wanted to share a school story from a few years ago. Back then, my kids listened in the car whenever you were on. They sometimes...

Parenting

7-year-old Lila calls Dr. Laura to ask if her dad is wrong to tell her she can't wear short shorts or lip stick.   Dr. Laura: "Your daddy is helping you to look and act like a lady."

Parenting

I have two sons who are now grown. My eldest has always been quiet and respectful. My youngest son was very bright but I always said "He has great brat potential; I have to constantly...

Parenting

Stacey's 18-year-old son has caused a lot of drama in their family, and she's not sure what to do to help him into adulthood.   Dr. Laura: "It's his turn to figure out his life."

Parenting

Ed's daughter married at 18 and, three years later, she wants her parents to help her move out and leave her husband without addressing him properly.   Dr. Laura: "This is an opportunity...

Parenting

I've heard your comments about teaching boys and how they are just wired differently from girls. As some schools prepare to reopen, I thought I’d share a story from the past. At my...

Parenting

Paul's daughter has gained 60 pounds, and he fears that her weight makes him look like a bad father to his extended family.   Dr. Laura: "She's showing you how to be happy in spite of...

Parenting

We wrote this letter to our son upon his graduation from college late last year:   Congratulations on your graduation! We are proud of you and you should feel good about that...

Parenting

Rachel's middle daughter is struggling with health issues, and Rachel admits that she is more lenient on her than the other kids because of her condition.   Dr. Laura: "She needs to know...

Parenting

Michelle's three stepchildren live full time with her and their father, and she feels sorry that their mom isn't in the picture.   Dr. Laura: "Only kind-hearted people are empathetic to...

Parenting

Elizabeth wants to know if she should be concerned about her 11-year-old son holding hands with a girl he has a crush on.   Dr. Laura: "This is the time for mom to relax and dad to have...

Parenting

Melissa has a 2-year-old son who she fears is suffering due to the isolation of the COVID shutdown, but her husband thinks that he won't remember and therefore won't be harmed.   Dr....