My Husband Drove Drunk with Our Kids

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day – "My Husband Drove Drunk with Our Kids"

Episode Information

• Title: My Husband Drove Drunk with Our Kids
• Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
• Release Date: July 16, 2025
• Platform: SiriusXM Triumph 111

---

Introduction to the Issue

In this poignant episode of Dr. Laura Call of the Day, a concerned mother reaches out for guidance after discovering that her husband drove drunk with their two young children in the car. The caller’s distressing account highlights the challenges of dealing with a spouse struggling with alcohol abuse, especially when it endangers the safety of their children.

Caller’s Background and Situation

The caller provides a comprehensive background:

• Marital History: Married her current husband for almost nine years, having dated him for nearly two years prior to marriage.
• Family Dynamics: They have twin six-year-old children and an older son who is about to turn 18.
• Past Marriages: The caller was previously married once and acknowledges mistakes made in her second marriage, including bringing children into it.

Notable Quote:

"I've been married to my husband for almost nine years... I know I made mistakes in having a second marriage, much much less making two more kids in that second marriage."
(01:07)

The Incident

Eleven days prior to the call, the husband made a grave decision:

• Behavior: Drove drunk with their two young children in the car, consuming alcohol while driving.
• Frequency: Although this was the first time he had done so, he is described as a "seasoned drinker."

Notable Quote:

"11 days ago my husband made the decision to drive drunk with our two children in the car."
(02:13)

Immediate Aftermath

Upon discovering the incident:

• Caller’s Reaction: Chose not to confront her husband immediately; instead, she ensured the children were safe by putting them to bed while her husband passed out.
• Confrontation: Upon his awakening, she expressed a loss of trust and established new household boundaries, including living as roommates and managing all household responsibilities alone.

Notable Quote:

"I told him that I have lost all trust in him and I could not believe what he did in putting not only our children."
(05:24)

Dr. Laura’s Guidance

Dr. Laura addresses the severity of the situation with practical and stern advice:

1. Legal Action: She recommends the caller immediately consult a lawyer to file for legal separation and remove her husband from the home to protect the children.
2. Long-Term Measures: Suggests that her husband should seek treatment, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or rehab, and remain sober for an extended period (nine months to a year) before considering reconciliation.
3. Protecting the Children: Emphasizes that he should not have access to the children until he proves his sobriety and commitment to change.
4. Support System: Encourages the caller to seek help from her family and involve her 18-year-old son in supporting her through this ordeal.

Notable Quotes:

"Go to a lawyer and file for a legal separation and get him the hell out of the house."
(06:48)

"He should not be allowed to take the kids out of the house... Drunks do drunk things. I know a lot of you women who have first or second or third marriages with this situation. Just keep hanging on, hoping this will get better and you can control it."
(07:26)

"Call your mom. Get some help from your family. And your 18-year-old son can help you right now. He's been watching this and waiting for you to do the right thing."
(07:50)

Concluding Insights

Dr. Laura delivers a powerful message about personal responsibility and the importance of taking decisive action in the face of destructive behavior. She underscores that enabling a spouse’s addiction only prolongs the harm and stresses the necessity of prioritizing the safety and well-being of the children.

Key Takeaways:

• Safety First: Protecting children from potential harm is paramount.
• Accountability: Holding the addicted spouse accountable through legal and personal boundaries.
• Support Systems: Leveraging family and trusted individuals to navigate through challenging times.
• Professional Help: Encouraging the addicted spouse to seek professional treatment and commit to long-term sobriety.

Conclusion

This episode serves as a critical reminder of the devastating impact alcohol abuse can have on a family. Dr. Laura’s no-nonsense advice provides a clear pathway for individuals facing similar situations, emphasizing strength, accountability, and the importance of safeguarding one’s family.

---

Timeline

• [00:01] Laura discusses personal drinking habits.
• [00:30] Introduction to the podcast and welcome.
• [01:00] Caller begins her story.
• [02:13] Details of the husband’s drunk driving incident.
• [05:24] Caller explains her response to the incident.
• [06:48] Dr. Laura advises legal separation.
• [07:50] Encouragement to seek family support.

Transcript

[Laura]

When work gets crazy, I like to stop by the bar after, have a few cold ones.

[Dr. Laura]

I don't drink at all until 4 o'. Clock. We limit ourselves to one bottle of wine a night.

[Laura]

Excessive drinking has a way of sneaking up on us. A few drinks, a few nights a week, it can add up and suddenly we're at greater risk for long term problems like heart disease, cancer and depression. Reason enough to rethink the drink More more at rethink the drink.com Noha initiative.

[Dr. Laura]

Thanks for listening to my Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111. Jill welcome to the program.

[Caller]

Hi Dr. Laura. Thank you so much for taking my call. I really do appreciate your program.

[Dr. Laura]

Ah, thank you.

[Caller]

What I need from you today is to help me formulate a response or possible plan of action regarding an incident that happened 11 days ago in my house that involved.

[Dr. Laura]

You're sure a patient woman. I don't know. I could wait 11 days for any feedback. Okay, tell me what happened.

[Caller]

Okay, thank you. Yes, it involves my two our two youngest children that are six year old twins, boy, girl twins, and my husband. First of all, just a little bit for you. I've been married to my husband for almost nine years. I dated him just shy of two years prior to marriage. We're both in our early 40s. He has no prior kids or marriages. I was married once before and unfortunately I did remarry with a minor in the house. I want to say that I know I made mistakes in having a second marriage, much much less making two more kids in that second marriage. And I have apologized to my oldest for that choice and not putting him first.

[Dr. Laura]

Well, classy and really wonderful of you and healing to tell your older kid. By the way, how old is the older kid and is it male or female?

[Caller]

Boy. And he'll be 18 in two weeks.

[Dr. Laura]

I'm sure he appreciated you really acknowledging his feelings and his challenges. That's beautiful. But Meanwhile, what happened 11 days ago?

[Caller]

Sorry, 11 days ago my husband made the decision to drive drunk with our two children in the car. Oh. Not only did he drive drunk, he drank while driving with them as well too. Although this is the first time a season.

[Dr. Laura]

No, dear, that's a seasoned drinker.

[Caller]

Yes. Never with my kids in the car.

[Dr. Laura]

Well, I guess that was only time before that happened. But he's a seasoned drinker. To be actually guzzling while driving. That's a serious drunk. And you've known that for quite a while.

[Caller]

Yes, ma', am. I acknowledge that when it happened.

[Dr. Laura]

And your question for me today, by the way, how did you find out and how did you deal with it at the moment? Life doesn't have to be so complicated. Walmart helps you simplify. They're your one stop shop for daily essentials like groceries, snacks, school supplies, and thanks to Walmart pharmacy, you can count on them for your prescription needs too. Use the Walmart app to easily manage your family's medications and save time by getting prescriptions delivered right to your door. Switch your prescriptions to Walmart Pharmacy delivery not available for all prescriptions and exclusions apply. Did you know that skin care can start in the laundry room? The Dr. Laura program is happy to be partnering with our sponsor All Free Clear laundry detergent. My peeps with kids are especially thrilled to use it because it's 100% free of dyes and perfumes. All Free Clear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended for sensitive skin by pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists. For a clean you can feel good about, all you need is All Free Clear Vitamin Water, zero sugar Tiene gran.

[Caller]

Sabor Cerro Tunderias y Cerro azucar oviamente paraquellos concervion Vitamin Water.

[Advertiser]

If your small business is booming and ready to expand, you might say something like it's happening.

[Laura]

Crushed it.

[Advertiser]

But if you need someone who can actually help protect your growing business, just say like a good neighbor, State Farm. He's there. And just like that, your State Farm agent can help you get the coverage you need for your new space for your small business insurance needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Caller]

I found out because I was not at this event that they were at. I came home and I had messaged him asking him if they were on their way home. I did not hear back and I tried calling him and then about 15 minutes later he showed up and I could tell that he was obviously intoxicated drunk because of the state he was in. I did not do anything or say anything in the moment to him. I put my kids to bed. He passed out on his chair.

[Dr. Laura]

Okay, when he woke up, what was the conversation?

[Caller]

I told him that I have lost all trust in him and I could not believe what he did in putting not only our children.

[Dr. Laura]

Was there a consequence there or were you just whining about your feelings?

[Caller]

The consequence was we were now roommates and that he would not be allowed to be in bed with me. I would continue to do all the things that Take care of the household. But until he could acknowledge that he had a serious problem and take actions toward.

[Dr. Laura]

Okay, stop, stop. Woohoo. And in 11 days, what has he done to take control AA rehab? Okay, I'm going to tell you what I believe you should do today. Go to a lawyer and file for a legal separation and get him the hell out of the house.

[Caller]

Hey.

[Dr. Laura]

And when he's clean and sober for nine months or a year, we can re establish something. Until then, you'll work out finances and visitation and he should not be allowed to take the kids out of the house. Okay, Next time they're not going to make it. You'll get a call from the police that your kids are dead.

[Caller]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura]

And that will piss me off bad.

[Caller]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura]

Well, you know, when you live with a drunk, drunks do drunk things. I know a lot of you women who have first or second or third marriages with this situation. Just keep hanging on, hoping this will get better and you can control it.

[Caller]

You.

[Dr. Laura]

No, you can't. He's a drunk. Get him out of the house.

[Caller]

Okay. Thank you.

[Dr. Laura]

Call your mom. Get some help from your family.

[Caller]

Okay?

[Dr. Laura]

And your 18 year old son can help you right now. He's been watching this and waiting.

[Caller]

Yes, I know.

[Dr. Laura]

For you to do the right thing. So have him help you.

[Caller]

Okay? Thank you, Dr. Loras.

[Dr. Laura]

My number, 1-800-375-2872. You're just a click away from some terrific deals being offered by companies that get the Dr. Laura stamp of approval. Visit drlaura.com Click on Sponsors to take advantage of the special Discounts available to Dr. Laura listeners like you.

[Laura]

Amazon One Medical presents Painful Thoughts.

[Caller]

I've been on hold to make a doctor's appointment for 23 minutes now. The automated voice has told me 47 times that my call is very important to them. Hmm, I'm starting to think that they don't think my call is important at all.

[Laura]

With Amazon One Medical 24. 7 Virtual Care, you'll get help fast without having to remain on the line to make an appointment. Amazon One Medical Healthcare just got less painful.