Dr. Laura Call of the Day

Episode: Custody Battle Nightmare
Air Date: September 13, 2025
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Caller: Sal

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, a caller named Sal discusses his long and exhausting custody battle over his son. Dr. Laura offers her signature direct advice and reflects on the impact of parental decisions on children. The episode is a raw look into the complexities of co-parenting after separation, alienation, and the long-term effects on kids.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of the Custody Battle (01:41–02:18)

• Sal introduces his situation: a custody battle since 2018, recently resolved after seven years.
• Sal: “My wife's been listening to you for a long time, so she told me to schedule a call with you. So I've been in a custody battle since 2018 and it's finally been resolved.”
• Dr. Laura reacts to the length of the battle and acknowledges the trauma of seven years in limbo.

2. Parental Alienation and Legal Interventions (02:18–03:07)

• Sal reveals that the mother engaged in alienation, limiting his contact with their son, exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions.

• He mentions interventions such as reunification therapy and a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem (GAL).

• Explanation:

  • Guardian ad Litem (GAL): An advocate appointed to represent the child’s interests.
  • Reunification Therapy: Therapy aimed at restoring the parent-child relationship post-alienation or separation.

• Dr. Laura: “What's this therapy thing you went through? What is that about?”

• Sal: “Reunification therapy. It's like reuniting... together.”

3. Outcomes of the Custody Fight and Parenting Plan Frustrations (03:07–05:29)

• Sal sought full custody but ended up with a 50/50 split.
• He is concerned about the abruptness of transitioning his son to a new parenting schedule, feeling the mother is “dumping the whole parenting plan” onto the child all at once.
• Sal highlights additional complications:
  • Son has two new half-siblings from mother’s subsequent relationships.
  • The child is homeschooled (not by the mother), and Sal contemplates handling homeschooling himself.
• Sal's main concern: wanting to minimize disruption and do what’s best for his son, who is clearly caught in emotional turmoil.

4. Dr. Laura’s Advice and Perspective (05:29–05:41)

• Dr. Laura is realistic and sobering about the outcome for the child:
  • “All I can say to you is stay the course and good luck. This is a damaged kid now, so it’s going to take you never giving up. Never.” (05:29)
• Sal affirms his commitment: “And I won’t.”

5. Honest Reflection on Life Choices (09:01–11:05)

• After the main call ends, Dr. Laura ruminates on the larger circumstances:
• She asks bluntly why Sal got involved with the child’s mother and whether it was a casual relationship.
• Dr. Laura: “How did you marry this woman in the first place? She'd have big boobs.” (09:01)
• Sal: “We were never married… I was shacking up with her.” (09:11)
• Dr. Laura expresses exasperation over the “shacking up” lifestyle and its impact on children:
  • “You shack up and knock up some broad that you don’t even love or want to commit to. You know, you reap the wind, baby. So here we are.” (09:25)
• Despite her critique, she commends Sal’s character for stepping up to support his son.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Laura, invoking King Solomon:
  “Yeah, I think we should just take a saw and cut him in half from the top down. No, that was a Solomon question... He gave the kid to [the real] mother because she was willing to sacrifice so that he wouldn’t be hurt. I guess you two never heard that story.” (03:16–03:58)

• Dr. Laura, on consequences:
  “You shack up and knock up some broad that you don’t even love or want to commit to. You know, you reap the wind, baby. So here we are... Just don’t hurt children.” (09:25–11:05)

• Dr. Laura, closing advice:
  “Just stay the course. You're doing everything that I would recommend. Poor kid. Oh my God, that poor kid...” (10:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sal describes the 7-year custody battle: 01:41–02:18
• Parental alienation and COVID delays: 02:18–02:57
• Explanation of GAL and therapy: 02:40–03:07
• King Solomon story & parenting compromise: 03:16–03:58
• Sal’s frustration with transition and family dynamics: 03:58–05:29
• Dr. Laura’s counsel on supporting a damaged child: 05:29–05:41
• Dr. Laura’s no-nonsense critique of relationship choices: 09:01–11:05
• Final commendation and advice: 10:45–11:05

Tone & Style

As always, Dr. Laura adopts a blunt, sometimes harsh, but ultimately compassionate tone. She holds both parents responsible but encourages Sal for standing by his son. The discussion is honest, unvarnished, and focused on personal accountability and the welfare of the child above all.

Summary

Listeners are given a sobering glimpse into the realities of high-conflict custody disputes, parental alienation, and the emotional toll on children. Dr. Laura responds both with her characteristic tough love—criticizing carelessness in relationships and its aftermath—while also offering unwavering support to Sal in continuing to fight for his son’s well-being. The main lesson: “Stay the course—and never give up on your kid.”