My Parents Say I Killed My Child

Summary

---

Dr. Laura Call of the Day — "My Parents Say I Killed My Child"

Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Caller: Michelle Rochelle
Date: September 30, 2025
Podcast Theme: Parenting, Family Estrangement, and Taking Back Personal Power

---

Episode Overview

This emotionally intense episode centers around a caller, Michelle Rochelle, who is navigating profound grief after the loss of her child and grappling with ongoing verbal abuse and public shaming from her own parents. Dr. Laura provides her frank, uncompromising viewpoint on toxic family relationships, the obligation (or lack thereof) to maintain contact, and seizing the personal agency to protect one's mental health.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Caller’s Background and the Situation

• [01:19-02:50]
  • Michelle Rochelle introduces her ordeal:
    • As a young, single mother, her daughter suffered a drowning accident and lived in a near-coma state for 17 months before passing.
    • During this period, she was solely responsible for her three young children; her partner had also died.
    • Rochelle’s parents, described as "heavy drinkers," have, ever since, claimed the child's death was her fault—both in private and publicly on social media.
  • Quote:

    "Since my daughter's accident... they have told me that I was the one that... killed my daughter, that it was my fault why she died."
    (Michelle Rochelle, 02:50)

2. Dr. Laura’s Immediate Response to Family Toxicity

• [03:40-04:50]
  • Dr. Laura responds with directness and empathy:
    • Declares the parents are unfit and "hateful."
    • Asserts that maintaining contact is a form of self-harm rooted in yearning for parental affection that will not come.
  • Quote:

    "You have shitty parents and you never should have had any contact with them. The first time they said that—they’re drunks, they’re bad people, they’re hateful people."
    (Dr. Laura, 03:48)

  • She labels the caller’s continued connection as “your sickness,” signaling it’s an act of self-punishment, not filial duty.

3. Core Message: Boundaries and Self-Protection

• [07:08-08:58]
  • Dr. Laura expands on the theme, challenging notions of obligatory family loyalty:
    • Urges Rochelle to emotionally detach and recognize that parental status doesn’t excuse cruelty.
    • Clearly stresses that fault does not belong with Michelle for her daughter's accident.
    • Advocates for “making believe [her parents] are dead” as a step toward living a freer, happier life.
  • Quote:

    "You can keep trying to have a relationship with these pieces of crap people and you're never going to be happy, ever... I pray, and I don't normally use the word, I pray you will take to heart what I've said to you today. Make believe they're dead and get on with your life."
    (Dr. Laura, 08:33)

4. Caller's Reaction and Reflection

• [09:22-10:17]
  • After an attempt to move the conversation forward, Dr. Laura insists the caller sit with her advice.
  • A key moment occurs as Rochelle is urged to process her feelings about the advice, rather than regurgitate it.
    • Quote:

      "I feel like there was something that was taken out for me. That was heavy."
      (Michelle Rochelle, 10:03)

  • Dr. Laura checks in on the caller’s emotional state and, sensing relief, offers follow-up support.

5. Ongoing Support and Audience Takeaway

• [10:17-10:35]
  • Dr. Laura suggests Michelle call back in a week to discuss her state of mind, offering continued support.
  • The episode maintains its non-nonsense, compassionate, yet tough-love tone throughout.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You have shitty parents and you never should have had any contact with them."
  (Dr. Laura, 03:48)

• "That's not a big accomplishment. And you have allowed them to torture you your whole adult life up to this point."
  (Dr. Laura, 07:21)

• "Make believe they're dead and get on with your life."
  (Dr. Laura, 08:44)

• "I feel like there was something that was taken out for me. That was heavy."
  (Michelle Rochelle, 10:03)

---

Timestamps & Segment Guide

• [01:14-02:50] — Caller explains her situation, loss, and ongoing parental abuse.
• [03:40-04:50] — Dr. Laura delivers her initial, pointed advice about cutting off toxic family.
• [07:08-08:58] — Dr. Laura expands on breaking free from toxic bonds and taking back one’s life.
• [09:22-10:17] — Caller's in-the-moment reflection on the advice and emotional release.
• [10:17-10:35] — Offer for ongoing follow-up and emotional check-in.

---

Summary

This episode is a raw, compassionate, and unsparing examination of family toxicity and personal liberation. Dr. Laura confronts the pain of the caller’s tragic loss and unpacks the psychological toll of ongoing parental abuse, ultimately empowering the caller to draw a hard boundary and prioritize her own healing. Listeners are left with the resonance of Dr. Laura's signature blend of bluntness and care—a message that, sometimes, the bravest act is to walk away for your own well-being.

Transcript

[Whole Foods Market Announcer]

Save up to 30% on fall meal essentials during the Spice Up Fall event now at Whole Foods Market with sales on organic honeycrisp apples and winter squash. Grab fresh and mild swordfish steaks for a cozy pan seared main or make a hearty stew starring no antibiotics ever short ribs for something sweet. Indulge in limited time pumpkin spice treats from the bakery and find even more in the aisles. Spice Up Fall and save at Whole Foods Market in store and online.

[Chevy Equinox Advertiser]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv, it's your equino. Lay together. Let's drive.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

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. Rochelle, welcome to the program.

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Hi. Thank you.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Thank you.

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

I just recently started listening to you. I just caught you.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Welcome.

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Yeah, thanks. So my question is, not too sure if it's a question or not, but I just been dealing with a lot of criticism, I guess, and a lot of bashing on social media from my mom.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

What do you mean bashing on social media? What do you mean by that?

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

I guess that rewinds. Till I was in my early 20s. I had lost my second child. She had a drowning accident and the doctors revived her and she lived for 17 months, which I took care of her. And I also had a five year old to take care of and a newborn. And I was a single mom.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Where was the dad for the kids?

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

He had passed on.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Oh.

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Yeah?

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

What is his bashing on, on? What are you talking about? On social media?

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Ok, yeah, I, I'm just kind of going towards that. So I was alone during that time taking care of my kids, taking care of my, my daughter who was like not a complete, like in a coma state, like she couldn't feed herself and all that. And during that time my parents were heavy drinkers so they, they drank like all the time. And since my daughter's accident till like I'll say till today, they have told me that I was the one that, that killed my daughter, that she, that it was my fault, why she died.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Michelle Rochelle, one of the toughest parts of My can you hear me? Just say yes if you can.

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Good. And listen very carefully. One of the toughest parts of my job is to try to take people by the shoulders and shake the crap out of them in the hopes that they can see what I can see. You have shitty parents and you never should have had any contact with them. The first time they said that they're drunks, they're bad people, they're hateful people. That you spent one day making a phone call or a visit to them is your sickness. 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 Clearance 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 Clearance.

[Dr. Horton Advertiser]

Your new beginning starts now. Dr. Horton has new construction homes available in Ellensburg and throughout the greater Seattle area. With spacious floor plans, flexible living spaces and home technology packages, you can enjoy more cozy moments and sweet memories in your beautiful new home. With new home communities opening in Ellensburg and throughout the Seattle area, Dr. Horton has the ideal home for you. Learn [e-mail] Dr. Horton, America's builder and equal Housing Opportunity Builder Here's a question.

[CDC/Walgreens Health Announcer]

How can you keep from getting sick with a respiratory illness this season? The good news is everyday actions can help you stay well and stop the spread. Wash your hands, take steps for cleaner air and try to avoid close contact with people who are sick. And talk to your doctor about what vaccines may be right for you so you can help keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. Learn [e-mail] respiratory illnesses a message from CDC at Walgreens we know flu season can feel a little chaotic, so we're going to give you our flu info.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

In a meditation keeping you calm, just like a certified Walgreens pharmacist will do if you're a little needle nervous. So walk in or schedule an appointment and Walgreens will handle the rest.

[CDC/Walgreens Health Announcer]

That's the human kind of help.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Walgreens vaccines subject to availability, state, age and health related restrictions May apply.

[Chevy Equinox Advertiser]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfect perfectly in your even bigger cargo space and when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist, and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

I'd like you to cure yourself of your sickness, of giving a shit about these horrible people simply because they had sex one night and created you. That's not a big accomplishment. And you have allowed them to torture you your whole adult life up to this point. So this is the toughest part of my job because the emotions you have about staying connected to what you wish were nice parents keeps you from going. The hell with these horrible people simply because they are biologically my parents. They're horrible, evil, mean, disgusting people and I will have nothing to do with them. And I will not take anything they say to heart. Do you realize how your life would change if you embrace that? Well, then the quality of your life depends upon you deciding to embrace it or not. You can keep trying to have a relationship with these pieces of crap people and you're never going to be happy, ever. And every parent feels guilt when something bad happens to a child. But it appears, from what you said, this is not your fault. You didn't kill her. These are terrible people. And I pray, and I don't normally use the word, I pray you will take to heart what I've said to you today. Make believe they're dead and get on with your life.

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Well, like, fast forward to about. I'll say about.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

No, I want you to just sit with what I said. I don't want to go into any other areas. This was overwhelming enough for me to do to you.

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Okay. Thank you for taking my call.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

You have any initial reaction to what I said?

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

And what is it?

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Not to include them in my life any longer?

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

No. What's your reaction? That's. I. I don't need you to say what I said. What's your reaction? How do you. How do you feel about what I said?

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

I feel like there was something that was taken out for me. That was heavy. That was heavy.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Oh, thank God. Good. May I offer you to think about this and then call me back next week just to talk about it a little more and see how you're doing? Would you be willing to call me back just to see how you're doing?

[Caller Michelle Rochelle]

Yes.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Okay. Thank you, sweetheart. I'm going to put you on hold and Dan or B will plan a time or something. My number, 1-800-375-2872. You're just a click away from some terrific deals being offered by companies that get the DRLaura stamp of approval. Visit drlaura.com Click on Sponsors to take advantage of the special Discounts available to Dr. Laura listeners like you.

[Chevy Equinox Advertiser]

I don't mean to interrupt your meal.

[Dr. Horton Advertiser]

But I love Geico's fast and friendly claim service.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Well, that's how Geico gets 97% customer satisfaction.

[Chevy Equinox Advertiser]

Yeah, I'll let you get back to your food.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

So are you just gonna watch me eat?

[Dr. Horton Advertiser]

Get more than just savings.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Get more with Geico.