How Can I Get My Son Back on Track?

Summary

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Episode Overview:

Title: How Can I Get My Son Back on Track?
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Date: December 30, 2025

In this episode, Dr. Laura counsels a caller, Andrea, who is struggling to help her 15-year-old adopted son, who recently began acting out after starting high school. The discussion delves into the influence of peer groups, the challenges adoptive children face, and what parents can do when a teenager’s social environment changes their behavior. Dr. Laura draws on her expertise to offer practical and direct guidance.

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Main Discussion & Insights

Family Situation and Background

• [01:27] Caller (Andrea):
  • Andrea explains she has two sons: her biological 21-year-old (now independent and successful) and her 15-year-old adopted son.
  • Her younger son was adopted at age two after being removed from his birth mother (drug abuse and neglect).

Dr. Laura [01:47]:
“Were there any drugs involved in the parents who produced him, stuff like that? Was there any abuse?”

• [01:56] Caller:
  • Confirms the biological mother abused drugs and he was in foster care before adoption.

Early Childhood & Recent Changes

• [02:29] Dr. Laura:
  • Asks if there were behavioral concerns at age two.
• [02:44] Caller:
  • Reports he was a very easy child until about one year ago.

Dr. Laura [03:02]:
“I know, but he was a kid. Now he’s a teenage or post-adolescence. It’s a whole different state of being. And his older sibling is very successful and independent, so there’s already competition. He’s the ‘natural’ one. This one was adopted. So there are things that go in a kid’s head.”

• Dr. Laura explores if any significant life or family events occurred a year ago, urging Andrea to think carefully before responding.

Catalyst: High School Transition

• [06:05] Caller:
  • Says the only major change was starting high school. Her son changed schools and “absorbed this new network of friends.”
• [06:22] Dr. Laura:
  • Asks about the school context: was it religious, etc.?
• [06:28] Caller:
  • He currently attends Catholic school.

Dr. Laura [06:34]:
“So right now he’s in a Catholic school with a bunch of bad behaving kids. Is that correct?”
Caller: “Correct.”
Dr. Laura: “Well then you have them in the wrong place. Sorry. At this age, kids... are more drawn to their peers than their parents. So you need to make sure you put him in an appropriate peer situation.”

Dr. Laura’s Guidance

• [06:41] Dr. Laura:
  • Strongly recommends considering a different school.
  • Observes that since the son was previously obedient and easygoing, he may be a “follower” and thus highly susceptible to peer influence.
  • Stresses the importance of placing the teenager in a more positive peer environment.

Dr. Laura [06:56]:
“If he was an obedient, laid back, nice kid, then he’s most likely a follower. So if he’s in a place where there are more assertive, aggressive personalities, he’s going to be a follower. I would work on changing that.”

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• [03:02] Dr. Laura:
  “He’s the ‘natural’ one. This one was adopted. So there are things that go in a kid’s head.”

• [06:41] Dr. Laura:
  “At this age, kids are more drawn to their peers than their parents. So you need to make sure you put him in an appropriate peer situation.”

• [06:56] Dr. Laura:
  “If he was an obedient, laid back, nice kid, then he’s most likely a follower...I would work on changing that.”

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Key Takeaways

• Peer Environment Is Crucial:
  Dr. Laura stresses that teenagers, especially those who are easygoing or “followers,” are highly influenced by their peer groups. A negative or “bad behaving” group can have outsized effects.

• Adoption and Identity:
  The underlying dynamics of adoption—especially when there’s an older, high-achieving sibling—can complicate a teen’s self-image and choices.

• Proactive Parental Involvement:
  Dr. Laura urges parents not to underestimate the impact of school environment, and to make bold moves (like changing schools) if it means protecting their child from damaging influences.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:27] – Caller introduces family and adopted son’s background
• [02:29] – Early childhood behavior and transition to adolescence
• [03:02] – Dr. Laura probes family dynamics and recent changes
• [06:05] – Identifying the high school environment as the turning point
• [06:41] – Dr. Laura’s core advice: consider a different, more positive school
• [06:56] – Insights on follower personalities and peer influence

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Overall Tone & Language

Dr. Laura is characteristically direct, attentive, and solutions-oriented. She validates the parent’s concerns while guiding the caller toward practical, sometimes tough, action. The language is compassionate but firm, blending empathy with actionable advice.

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Summary for First-Time Listeners

Even without hearing the episode, listeners will come away understanding:

• Why peer groups can make or break a teenager’s choices
• How an adoptive family’s structure can create unique challenges, especially during adolescence
• Dr. Laura’s unapologetically pragmatic approach: don’t wait for things to worsen—change the environment if needed

This episode is a strong example of Dr. Laura’s blend of tough love, clinical insight, and specific, actionable advice for parents navigating teen turbulence.

Transcript

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[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Thanks for listening to my Call of the Day sponsored by Native Path Collagen, the collagen I take daily to support healthy joints, skin, bones and guts. Go to getnativepath.com drlaura for free shipping and a special bundle deal at a fraction of the retail price. Remember, you can hear my radio program daily on Sirius XM Triumph and connect with me 24 [e-mail] Andrea welcome to the program.

[Caller/Listener]

Hello Dr. Laura, thank you for taking my call.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Thank you.

[Caller/Listener]

I have two sons. One is 21. He has finished university, he has graduated. He he lives out of the house, has his own place. And I have a second son who I adopted when he was two years old. He is now 15 years old. The second son that we have, what.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Were the circumstances of his adoption? Were there any drugs involved in the parents who produced him, stuff like that? Was there any abuse?

[Caller/Listener]

So, yes. So the second son, he was taken away at 2 years old. His biological mother used drugs repeatedly. She was given an opportunity to get off of the drugs. His biological father was not in the picture and Children's Aid removed him from the home. He was put into foster care when he was a year and a half and we adopted him when he was 2.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

And did you notice any behaviors at 2 which concerned you? You already had experience with a kid. Were there any behaviors at two that you noticed that concerned you?

[Caller/Listener]

Nothing.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Okay.

[Caller/Listener]

Between now between two years old and I would say up until a year ago, he has been a very easy, easy boy. He would listen we didn't have any issues with him at all.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

I know, but he was a kid. Now he's a teenage or post adolescence. It's a whole different state of being. And his older sibling is very successful and independent, so there's already competition. He's the natural one. This one was adopted. So there are things that go in a kid's head. What happened about a year ago? Was there anything in terms of health or in everybody in the family? Was there anything? And don't say no real fast. Okay, think. Was there any shift in anything about a year ago? Your husband or you lose a job? Anything foreign?

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[Caller/Listener]

The only thing that we can think of is one year ago he changed schools because he had to go to high school. When he changed schools and went to high school, he seemed to absorb this new network of friends. When he absorbed this new network of friends.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Okay, let's go back over where he was. Was he in a religious school?

[Caller/Listener]

He goes to a Catholic school now.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

So right now he's in a Catholic school with a bunch of bad behaving kids. Is that correct?

[Caller/Listener]

Correct.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Well then you have them in the wrong place. Sorry. At this age, kids. Listen, listen, listen. At this age, kids are more drawn to their peers than their parents. So you need to make sure you put him in an appropriate peer situation. So I would look around for a different school. Really I would. Because if he was an obedient, laid back, nice kid, then he's most likely a follower. So if he's in a place where there are more assertive, aggressive personalities, he's going to be a follower. I would work on changing that. My number 1-800-375-2872. Check out my social media on Facebook and Instagram. I post stories, photos and videos 7 days days a week and feature some of what you've sent me too. There's always something interesting going on there. You can find me at facebook.com drlaura and instagram.com DrLauraProgram.

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