I'm Not Superwoman! - The Dr. Laura Podcast

Summary

Podcast Summary: "I'm Not Superwoman!"

Podcast Information:

Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
Host/Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger & SiriusXM
Episode: I'm Not Superwoman!
Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Dr. Laura Call of the Day," Dr. Laura Schlessinger addresses the overwhelming challenges faced by caregivers who find themselves shouldering immense responsibilities without adequate support. The episode, titled "I'm Not Superwoman!," delves deep into the emotional and physical toll of long-term caregiving, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and seeking assistance.

Caller’s Story: Colette’s Journey

Colette’s Background and Caregiving Responsibilities ([00:35] - [03:25])

Colette shares her arduous journey as a dedicated caregiver for both her mother, who battled Alzheimer's, and her mother-in-law, who suffered from diabetes and other disabilities. For over two decades, Colette and her husband managed the care of these elderly women, maintaining separate residences while eventually consolidating into one household to better manage their responsibilities.

Key Challenges and Husband’s Illness ([03:25] - [07:00])

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Colette’s husband, initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, suffers a severe fall resulting in three brain bleeds. This incident marks the beginning of a series of health setbacks, including a subsequent diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a condition that rapidly deteriorates mobility and cognitive functions. Colette describes the compounded stress of managing her husband’s declining health alongside the care for her ailing mother and mother-in-law.

Family Dynamics and Lack of Support ([07:00] - [10:30])

Despite years of relentless caregiving, Colette faces indifference and lack of support from extended family members on both sides. Frustrated and near a nervous breakdown, she reaches out to her siblings, seeking assistance in transferring care responsibilities. However, her pleas are met with outright refusal, forcing Colette to make the painful decision to send her mother-in-law back to her family in Chicago. This decision is a pivotal moment for Colette, symbolizing her need to reclaim her life and prioritize her immediate family’s well-being.

Colette ([06:25]): "I really needed help. So I reached out to Jack's family and I said, listen, you know, my mom, my mom at the time, she was really sick. It was before she died. And I said, I really need help here."

Dr. Laura’s Guidance and Insights

Confronting Family Negligence ([10:30] - [12:07])

Dr. Laura does not mince words when addressing the core issue of familial neglect. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when it’s time to step away from unsustainable caregiving roles.

Dr. Laura ([10:30]): "The topic of this call is now you're a shithead and you're not F Them."

Dr. Laura advises Colette to firmly establish boundaries with her unhelpful family members, advocating for self-care and the acknowledgment that caregiving should not come at the cost of one’s own mental and physical health.

Empowerment and Validation ([12:07] - [13:11])

In the concluding segment, Dr. Laura commends Colette for her strength and resilience. She underscores the distinction between true family and mere relatives, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive and compassionate individuals.

Dr. Laura ([12:40]): "There's a big difference between people who are relatives and people who are family. And they were never."

Dr. Laura reinforces the notion that Colette made the right decision to prioritize her immediate family's needs over the demands of extended relatives who failed to offer support.

Conclusion

"I'm Not Superwoman!" serves as a poignant reminder of the often invisible burdens carried by caregivers. Through Colette’s heartfelt account and Dr. Laura’s forthright advice, the episode sheds light on the necessity of seeking help, setting healthy boundaries, and recognizing one’s limits. Dr. Laura’s empathetic yet no-nonsense approach provides both solace and practical guidance for listeners navigating similar struggles.

Notable Quotes:

Colette ([06:25]): "I really needed help. So I reached out to Jack's family and I said, listen, you know, my mom... I really need help here."
Dr. Laura ([10:30]): "The topic of this call is now you're a shithead and you're not F Them."
Dr. Laura ([12:40]): "There's a big difference between people who are relatives and people who are family. And they were never."

Additional Resources

Listeners seeking further support and stories can connect with Dr. Laura through her social media platforms:

Facebook: facebook.com/drlaura
Instagram: instagram.com/drlauraprogram

For personalized advice and support, Dr. Laura encourages reaching out via her hotline:

Phone: 1-800-375-2872

Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisements, introductions, and other non-content segments to focus solely on the meaningful and impactful discussions between Colette and Dr. Laura.

Transcript

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Dr. Laura (0:23)

Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on SiriusX XM Triumph 111. Colette. Welcome to the program.

Colette (0:35)

Hi, how are you?

Dr. Laura (0:37)

Hi. Good. How can I help?

Colette (0:40)

Well, I have an interesting problem and I'm very upset about it. Me and my husband have been caretakers for my mother and my mother in law for over about 20 years now. And we always knew what's wrong with.

Dr. Laura (0:57)

These women that they need caretakering.

Colette (1:02)

Well, my mother has Alzheimer's and my.

Dr. Laura (1:05)

20 years ago she had Alzheimer's.

Colette (1:08)

Well, the beginning stages. I'm 62. She's, she was 88. She passed recently.

Dr. Laura (1:16)

I see.

Colette (1:16)

But my, My husband is 11 years older than me. He is 6, 73. And we, we just always knew we were their caretakers. We were the ones that always took care of them. And his mother has diabetes, she's disabled. And we just always pulled together as a team and it got to the point where we had three places to live and we all lived adjacent on properties each owned by each other, you know. But it got too much for me to take care of and I kind of wanted to retire and spend some time with my husband. So I found a really beautiful area that was a lot less rural because we lived in rural Tennessee, Copper Hill, Tennessee. And it had, you know, boating and tennis and racquetball and golf. My husband loves golf. And we all moved in together into one house. My husband and I purchased it and the moms were, they did whatever they wanted to do with their property. Now my mom's property, half of it was mine, so we just rented it out for the time being. But anyway, to make a long story short, we no sooner moved into this beautiful area, beautiful house, transformed it into disabled for everybody. And my husband got sick. And my husband was diagnosed. Well, he got sick and he was originally diagnosed with Parkinson's. And that was a hard pill to swallow. But I was like, we can handle this. We can do this. You know. And so then we, we were cleaning up the house one day and my husband walked up the back stairs, which is exactly 13 steps. And he got to the top Step and fell backwards and down he went and he hit his head on the concrete and he had three brain bleeds.