Summary of Episode: "Susan's Forgetfulness is Sending a Message"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
• Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
• Author: SiriusXM
• Episode: Susan's Forgetfulness is Sending a Message
• Release Date: March 8, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Susan's Forgetfulness is Sending a Message," Dr. Laura Schlessinger addresses a concern brought forward by a listener named Susan and her father, Dan. Susan, a 13-year-old girl, calls in seeking advice about her recent struggles with forgetfulness, including losing her ski jacket and forgetting essential items for her after-school activities.

The Issue: Susan's Forgetfulness

[00:26] Susan: "So I lost my ski jacket. It was a really nice jacket that I had. And I guess I've been losing some other. Or forgetting some other things recently too. And we were just wondering, like, what we should do about it and like the right."

Dr. Laura begins by understanding the specifics of Susan's situation. Susan elaborates on her forgetfulness, mentioning instances like forgetting to bring her boots to Nordic after school.

[01:02] Susan: "So I lost. I mean, I didn't lose. I forgot to bring. I had Nordic after school and I forgot to bring my boots into school."

Exploring Potential Causes

Dr. Laura delves into possible reasons behind Susan's forgetfulness. She suggests several factors that could contribute to such behavior in teenagers, including:

• Sleep Deprivation: Dr. Laura inquires about Susan's sleep patterns to rule out insufficient rest.

  [01:43] Host: "How much sleep do you get a night?"

  [01:48] Susan: "Like 12 hours? No, like 10ish hours."

• Nutritional Deficiencies: She questions Susan's eating habits to determine if lack of proper nutrition might be affecting her memory.

  [02:02] Host: "Do your parents have to nag you about vitamins and protein?"

  [02:11] Susan: "No, I eat."

• Overuse of Technology: Dr. Laura touches on the excessive time spent on the Internet as a potential distraction.

• Stress from Excessive Activities: The conversation zeroes in on Susan's busy schedule as a significant factor.

The Role of Extracurricular Activities

A pivotal part of the discussion revolves around Susan's numerous extracurricular commitments. Susan lists her activities:

[02:11] Susan: "I do piano on Wednesdays and I play field hockey two days a week."

Dr. Laura expresses concern over the number of activities Susan is juggling, suggesting that having too many commitments can lead to stress and forgetfulness.

[02:36] Dad: "You've never heard of field hockey?"

[03:29] Dad: "That's a valid question and certainly something that we have talked about. My wife and I have had that conversation."

Dr. Laura challenges the necessity of maintaining multiple activities, questioning the purpose behind such a hectic schedule.

[03:29] Host: "What made you and your wife think it's a good thing to have her so busied? ... Why are we keeping her so busy? Why can't she have time to herself to be creative and time with family?"

Parental Perspectives

Dan, Susan's father, provides insight into their family's approach to extracurricular activities. He explains that the choice of activities is primarily Susan's, and the family aims to support her interests.

[03:57] Dad: "One. Always one, like you said, I think is."

When pressed by Dr. Laura, Dan admits that they have been reconsidering the number of activities Susan is involved in, especially as winter approaches.

Host's Advice and Conclusion

Dr. Laura emphasizes the importance of balancing activities to prevent undue stress on teenagers. She advocates for reducing the number of commitments to allow children time for creativity and family interactions.

[02:11] Host: "Probably the number one reason in your home. Why do you have her in so many different activities?"

[04:31] Susan: "Field hockey."

In conclusion, Dr. Laura advises that Susan and her family consider focusing on a single activity that she is most passionate about—field hockey—to alleviate stress and improve her organizational habits.

[04:42] Host: "If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast."

Key Takeaways

• Balance is Crucial: Over-scheduling teenagers with multiple activities can lead to increased stress and forgetfulness.

• Parental Support: While supporting a child's interests is important, allowing them to make choices about their commitments fosters responsibility and reduces burnout.

• Holistic Well-being: Adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and limited screen time are essential for maintaining cognitive functions like memory.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Laura Schlessinger at [03:29]: "Why are we keeping her so busy? Why can't she have time to herself to be creative and time with family?"

• Susan at [04:31]: "Field hockey."

This episode underscores the significance of managing extracurricular activities to ensure the well-being and personal growth of teenagers. By prioritizing and possibly reducing Susan's commitments, Dr. Laura suggests that improved focus and reduced stress can enhance her overall performance and memory.