Dr. Laura Call of the Day

Episode: "Some Moms Give Life and Not Much More"

Date: September 28, 2025
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Caller: Jennifer

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger offers her characteristic direct and compassionate guidance to Jennifer, a longtime listener struggling with the painful reality of her relationship with her mother. The discussion centers on coming to terms with a parent's emotional absence, the difference between biological and actively nurturing mothers, and learning to cease the futile search for validation or connection from someone fundamentally unwilling or unable to give it. Dr. Laura employs tough love, clear analogies, and a memorable letting-go exercise to help Jennifer find a path forward.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Jennifer’s Story: Years of Hurt and Disappointment

• (01:14 – 07:44)
  • Jennifer recounts decades of rejection and being consistently deprioritized by her mother, who moved away, missed major life events like her baby shower, and avoids her and her children.
  • A recent episode involved Jennifer driving hours to help her grandfather, only to find her mother had intentionally avoided her.
  • Jennifer describes feeling raw, "burnt out," and deeply hurt. She acknowledges her daughter’s advice to stop reaching out but struggles to accept it.

Dr. Laura’s Analysis: Naming the Pain

• (07:44 – 08:12)
  • Dr. Laura gets straight to the heart of the matter:
    • Dr. Laura (07:53): "Yes, but why does. Ah. Because you want a mom. That's the correct answer."
  • She affirms Jennifer's grief, recognizing she is mourning the lack of a true mother figure rather than the loss of her biological mother.

Reframing the Parental Role

• (08:12–09:21)
  • Dr. Laura distinguishes between giving birth and being a mother:
    • Dr. Laura (08:12): "You have a woman who got knocked up with you and gave birth. It's not the same thing as having a mother. A mommy."
    • She names Jennifer’s persistent hope as a misunderstanding:
      Dr. Laura (08:47): "[You keep] thinking, that simply because a woman has a baby come out of her vagina, that she's going to be a good, loving mother."
  • Jennifer tries to defend her own parenting as different, but Dr. Laura cuts her off, redirecting focus to Jennifer’s unfulfilled longing.

Letting Go: Acceptance and Tough Love

• (09:21–10:48)
  • Dr. Laura encourages Jennifer to accept her reality and be grateful only for the gift of life:
    • Dr. Laura (09:44): "The only thing you need to be grateful for is that she had sex. She gave birth to you, didn't suck you into a sink or leave you by the side of the road or drop you into a toilet. And she got on with her life, and you have to do the same."
    • Dr. Laura (10:02): "What she gave you was life. And you're messing with that gift."
  • She urges Jennifer to stop seeking love or closure from her mother and focus on the fulfilling relationships she does have, including her husband and stepmom.

Call for Action: The Balloon Exercise

• (11:02–12:55)
  • Dr. Laura leads Jennifer through a striking visualization to symbolically release her mother:
    • Dr. Laura (11:11): "Let the string go and stop it. I don't want to know that you ever brought it up again."
    • She instructs Jennifer to physically enact letting go—close her eyes, picture her mother's face as a balloon, walk outside, thank her for giving life, and let the balloon go.
    • The moment is cathartic, ending with Jennifer weeping openly as Dr. Laura says:
      • Dr. Laura (12:55): "That's a good cry. Hang up now and have a good cry."
  • The segment closes with Jennifer expressing gratitude and a newfound resolve to embrace her present life and stop pursuing her mother's affection.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jennifer's Pain, Raw and Honest
  • (04:26) "It just hurts so much that I can't stop thinking about it."
• Dr. Laura’s Distinction
  • (08:12) "You have a woman who got knocked up with you and gave birth. It's not the same thing as having a mother. A mommy."
• Harsh Gratitude
  • (09:44) "The only thing you need to be grateful for is that she had sex. She gave birth to you, didn't suck you into a sink or leave you by the side of the road or drop you into a toilet."
• No-Nonsense Call to Let Go
  • (10:02) "What she gave you was life. And you're messing with that gift."
  • (11:11) "Let the string go and stop it. I don't want to know that you ever brought it up again."
• Closure and Release
  • (12:42) "[Jennifer: I did. It's gone.]"
  • (12:55) Dr. Laura: "That's a good cry. Hang up now and have a good cry."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:14 – Jennifer introduces her family history and struggle.
• 04:26 – Jennifer describes her emotional pain.
• 07:44 – Dr. Laura zeroes in on Jennifer’s core anguish.
• 08:12 – Dr. Laura explains the difference between giving birth and mothering.
• 09:44 – Dr. Laura’s advice on gratitude and letting go.
• 11:11 – Balloon visualization and practical release exercise.
• 12:55 – Emotional conclusion and catharsis.

Tone and Language

Dr. Laura maintains her trademark blunt, direct tone, blending empathy with uncompromising realism. She uses vivid language ("got knocked up," "didn't suck you into a sink") to emphasize her points and break through Jennifer's long-standing pain. The episode is marked by both compassion and a refusal to enable self-pity or wishful thinking.

Summary

This episode of "Dr. Laura Call of the Day" is a profound guide for anyone grappling with the absence of a parental bond. Through Jennifer’s story, Dr. Laura illustrates the lasting wounds of emotional neglect—and the possibility of healing once you accept reality, redefine gratitude, and release unhealthy hopes. The episode’s practical release exercise and memorable tough-love moments make it a touchstone for those struggling to let go of unloving relatives and cherish the life and relationships they do have.