Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day

Episode: Our Daughter Deceived Us
Date: September 21, 2025
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Callers: “Shawn” and his wife (parents of college-age daughter)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Laura counsels a husband and wife struggling with the fallout after their 18-year-old daughter, recently sent to college, secretly traveled across the country to meet someone she befriended online. The parents, feeling deceived and concerned for her safety, demanded she return home—leading to their daughter refusing to communicate with them. The call explores parental responsibility, financial support boundaries, and how to respond to teenage defiance and immaturity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Establishing the Backstory

[01:14–02:53]

• Shawn (father) introduces the situation: Their daughter, three weeks into college life 300 miles away, secretly flew cross-country during Labor Day weekend to meet a guy she’d met online.
• The parents only discovered this after the fact; when confronted, the daughter returned home but has not spoken to them since.

Quote:
“It was about a week and a half after we dropped her off, we found out that she had flown across the country without our knowledge. When we found out, we immediately told her she needs to come home, which she did. And she essentially has not spoken to us since.”
—Caller (Father), [01:29]

2. Dr. Laura Probes for Context

[02:17–03:29]

• Dr. Laura questions who wanted college: “That’s not the behavior of a young lady who wants to be in college or wants to be in that college.” [02:31]
• Finds out the daughter funded the trip with a mixture of her own money and parental support for “basic needs.”

Quote:
“She’s 18, she’s a baby. If she really pulled that off, what did she use for money to go on the plane?”
—Dr. Laura, [02:53]

3. The Mother's Perspective & Financial Boundaries

[03:42–04:52]

• The mother describes her brief acquaintance with the boyfriend and emphasizes how reckless the daughter’s actions were.
• Dr. Laura firmly challenges the notion that the girl’s adulthood gives her impunity while financially dependent:

“No, no, no, no, no, mom, no, she can’t do that while she’s being largely supported by you. She can do that when she’s totally responsible for herself.”
—Dr. Laura, [04:26]

4. The Daughter’s Stonewalling and Parental Concerns

[04:56–05:22]

• The parents describe their daughter’s emotional withdrawal and seek advice: Should they reach out, or is it on the daughter to make amends?

• Dr. Laura asserts the daughter is acting out:

“Oh, she’s being a brat. Okay. You don’t—don’t act surprised. 18 year olds pull that shit.”
—Dr. Laura, [04:59]

5. Should Parents Wait or Confront?

[08:39–08:43]

• The father asks if they should initiate communication.
• Dr. Laura is unequivocal: Parents must not act “afraid”; reassert boundaries and expectations.

Memorable Moment & Advice:
“Oh yeah, you should walk in her room and say, this bullshit stops now. If you’re expecting us to financially support you for anything, you stop with this punishing crap. You went on a plane to stup some guy you hardly know without telling your parents. This doesn’t hold. This is not our relationship as a family. And this is not our relationship with us supporting you financially. I expect her father to walk into her room and read her that riot act.”
—Dr. Laura, [08:43]

6. Dr. Laura’s Prescribed Solution

[08:43–10:33]

• Don’t “pamper” the daughter or be manipulated by her silence.
• The father should take the lead, affirming this is unacceptable and must have real consequences:
  • Daughter can either:
    • Attend a local 2-year college and live at home
    • Get a job, or
    • Move out if she continues this behavior
• Emphasis on leadership and not worrying about her feelings at this juncture.

Quote:
“You are the father. You are the leader in your home. You’re the leader. Lead.”
—Dr. Laura, [09:56]

7. Parental Solidarity & Final Thoughts

[10:33–11:25]

• Father agrees, reaffirming intent to support the approach.
• Dr. Laura gives a brief reflection on the value of teaching real-world consequences and the importance of standing firm for the daughter’s future maturity.

Quote:
“If you’re saying you’re 18 and you’re an adult... well, an adult should have thought this through to what the consequences might be. That’s part of being an adult, not just doing whatever the hell you want.”
—Dr. Laura, [10:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parental Financial Support:
  “She can do that when she’s totally responsible for herself.”
  —Dr. Laura, [04:26]

• Calling Out Immaturity:
  “She’s immature and bratty.”
  —Dr. Laura, [09:23]

• On Leadership:
  “You are the father. You are the leader in your home.”
  —Dr. Laura, [09:56]

• On Growth through Consequences:
  “You’ll help her become a better adult.”
  —Dr. Laura, [11:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Episode setup & caller introduction: [01:01–01:29]
• Caller's story & initial backstory: [01:29–02:53]
• Dr. Laura probes for context: [02:53–03:29]
• Mother’s perspective & boundaries talk: [03:42–04:52]
• Discussion of stonewalling & brattiness: [04:56–05:22]
• Should they reach out or wait? [08:39–08:43]
• Dr. Laura’s tough-love guidance: [08:43–10:33]
• Final affirmations & summary: [10:33–11:25]

Episode Tone

Dr. Laura remains consistent with her brand—no-nonsense, direct, and grounded in advocating parental authority, accountability, and real-world consequences. The conversation is candid, sometimes blunt, but always focused on tough love and long-term development.