Vault: She Kept Her Spring Break Trip a Secret

Summary

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The Bert Show – "Vault: She Kept Her Spring Break Trip a Secret"

Release Date: July 1, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode centers on a relatable family dilemma: what happens when a college-aged daughter, Lindsay, takes off on a spring break trip without telling her mother, Claire? The Bert Show hosts and listeners dive into the tension between parental concern, young adult independence, and the evolving definitions of respect and boundaries within family relationships.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Claire’s Concern for Her Daughter (01:06–04:15)

• Claire, the mother, learned through her younger daughter that her eldest, Lindsay (a college student at UGA), went to Florida for spring break without notifying her.
  • Claire: “I really believe ... you have children to give them love and roots and we’re honest with each other. So I cannot imagine one, why she would go and two, why she wouldn’t tell me where she went.” (01:18)
• She expresses worry and disappointment, feeling blindsided due to their close relationship.
• Claire’s friends and the hosts suggest this might be a natural step towards independence.
  • Claire: “When you’re a mother, they’re always your babies. And I’m trying, I’m trying really hard to say she’s gotta have her own life and maybe this is her way of sort of pulling away and having some independence.” (03:21)
• Claire admits she behaved the same way as a young adult, with her mother not knowing her whereabouts during college spring breaks.

2. The Show's Attempt to Contact Lindsay (05:06–06:03)

• The hosts shared that they and Claire had tried repeatedly to call Lindsay, but she sent all calls to voicemail.
• Eventually, Lindsay called the radio station and left a message. The hosts prepare Claire to hear it, advising her to stay calm.

3. Lindsay’s Voicemail & Reaction (06:04–07:22)

• Lindsay (Voicemail, played at 06:28):
  • "Hi, this is Lindsey. As I understand it, you’ve been looking for me to try and find out how my week off is going. And I’m not going to get up early just to talk to you, but I’ll gladly fill you in on Monday. I’m having a great time, and it’s everything spring break is supposed to be. Also, can you let my mom and sister both know that they need to mind their own business? Because I’m a big girl now. Thanks."
• Claire expresses relief that her daughter is safe but also notes Lindsay sounded “a little snippy.”
  • Claire: “I’m just. I’m very relieved she’s okay. … but I thought it was a little snippy.” (06:57)

4. Parental Expectations vs. Young Adult Independence (07:22–12:16)

• The hosts and callers weigh in on whether Lindsay owed her mother a heads-up.
• Callers and co-hosts split between empathizing with Claire’s concerns and defending Lindsay’s right to keep some autonomy.
  • Teresa (Caller): “Even if she does go to some clubs around here, I just would like a courtesy call just to let me know that she got there okay. … I just want a courtesy call to let me know that she’s okay.” (08:04)
  • Co-host: “Is she gonna do that her entire life?... as long as she’s in the partying atmosphere … I just want a courtesy call to let me know that she’s okay.” (08:42)
• The conversation expands to touch on the ongoing parent-child dynamic and the emotional ties involved.
  • Nicole (Caller, 10:05): “If she’s still living at home, mom’s paying that UGA bill, she least owes her the courtesy of telling her where she is. … We all know what happened to Natalie Holloway.”
  • Main Moderator: “This could be a time of reflection for the mom who could look at why the daughter … made the decision to upset you this way rather than let you ruin her trip?” (10:33)
• Hosts discuss how their own families handle communication in adulthood.
  • Co-host: "Even now, if Katie and I are going on a road trip, we tell our families we’re going… so I agree." (12:16)

5. Reconciliation and Moving Forward (12:27–12:39)

• The hosts assure Claire they will check back in on Monday, when Lindsay agrees to come on air.
• Claire thanks the hosts for helping her confirm Lindsay’s safety, expressing a mix of resignation and appreciation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Claire: “I just wanted to know. I’m just, I’m baffled that she just did not say something to me.” (03:55)
• Lindsay (Voicemail): “Can you let my mom and sister both know that they need to mind their own business because I’m a big girl now. Thanks.” (06:44)
• Claire: “I don’t have to like it all that much.” (07:11)
• Co-Host: “Your job is to get them to be an adult and then… let them go.” (07:22)
• Nicole (Caller): “…mom’s paying that UGA bill, she least owes her the courtesy of telling her where she is. ... We all know what happened to Natalie Holloway.” (10:05)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:06 – Introduction to Claire and her concern for Lindsay’s disappearance
• 03:21 – Claire discusses trying to accept her daughter’s independence
• 05:06 – Details on the failed attempts to reach Lindsay
• 06:28 – Lindsay’s voicemail played live
• 07:05–07:22 – Claire’s response to Lindsay’s message
• 08:02–09:04 – Listener Teresa joins to support the mom’s viewpoint
• 10:05–11:37 – Nicole calls in, balancing obligation, trust, and safety
• 12:27–12:39 – Show wraps up, promises future follow-up

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Takeaways

• The tug-of-war between parental worry and young adult independence is universal.
• Open, respectful communication is important, but so is allowing space for children to grow and make mistakes.
• The hosts and listeners reflect a broad spectrum of beliefs about boundaries as children transition into adulthood.
• The episode ends with both parties having voiced their sides, but resolution is left for the promised follow-up.

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Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode:
If you haven’t listened, this episode provides a mix of humor, real talk, and relatable family friction—a snapshot of how communication and expectations can shift (sometimes painfully) as families grow and children become adults. The Bert Show handles the topic candidly and with empathy for both generations.

Transcript

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[Radio Host - Announcer]

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[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Bird show if you missed it, here's a little quick little recap of Claire joining the Bird show.

[Claire]

Lindsay, that's my girl. That's my daughter who's at uga.

[Claire's Mother]

She put on Facebook that she was going to flood spring break. And I just, it's really confusing to me. Like I am, I really believe, you

[Claire]

know, you have children to give them

[Claire's Mother]

love and roots and we're honest with each other. So I cannot imagine one, why she would go and two, why she wouldn't tell me where she went.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

So what we learned yesterday is that Claire considers Lindsay her friend and as she said that she didn't tell her where she went. She just kind of disappeared. Like they talk a couple times a week. And then a week ago, Thursday was the last time they spoke. And out of nowhere, Lindsay's little sister brings to Claire's attention.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

Well, you say out of nowhere. My assumption is that Claire was going

[Claire]

on and on and on and on

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

and on about Lindsay. Right. Lindsey. I don't know why I just blank for a second because I'm getting old. Went on and on and on about her. And so I'm sure little sister's like, okay, you know what, let me find, let me. I can easily figure this out on Facebook.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

And on Facebook found a status message that indicated that Lindsey had gone down to Florida. So the Florida thing plus UGA being on spring break, the assumption is she's down there for the party. And Claire joins us again on the Bird show. Good morning. Claire, are you there?

[Claire]

I'm here.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Hey, how are you?

[Radio Host - Advertiser]

Hello.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Hi, how are you?

[Claire's Mother]

I'm okay. How are you?

[Radio Host - Advertiser]

Good morning.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

How was the last, how was the last 24 hours for you?

[Claire's Mother]

You know, I'm A little, I'm. I gotta tell you, I'm trying to calm down and I know I came across a little angry yesterday, but I'm just worried. It's been almost, it is a week now. And I'm just worried and disappointed that, you know, we have this relationship and she would just up and go without telling me.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Did anybody hear you on the radio or have you talked about this with any of your.

[Claire's Mother]

I have talked about it with everybody. And people actually called and said, oh, I heard you on the radio, like it was a great big thing. And I'm just worried, you know, I'm just worried and concerned. And again, I just, you know, I just can't. I don't understand how we can be so close and all of a sudden

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

she just up and goes, is anyone in your life maybe advising you to step away?

[Claire's Mother]

Uh huh. Well, you know, I had one of my best friends called and said, you know, she's a grown girl now, you just have to let it go. And I get that to a degree. But, you know, I don't know. You know, when you're a mother, they're always your babies. And I'm trying, I'm trying really hard to say she's gotta have her own life and maybe this is her way of sort of pulling away and having some independence. And like I said, I'm just, you know, I'm worried and I'm a little disappointed because I don't think I would judge what she was doing except, you know, everybody knows what happens in Florida on spring break, but you just want

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

to be in the loop. You just. You want to be in the loop.

[Claire's Mother]

Exactly. I just wanted to know. I'm just, I'm baffled that she just did not say something to me.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

She probably doesn't want you in the loop or she would have called you already. I mean, it's her spring break. I mean, what happens on spring break for college students kind of is their own thing and doesn't involve their parents.

[Claire]

Right.

[Claire's Mother]

Well, I was a college student once on spring break too, you know, you want.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

But did you want your mom meddling while you were on spring break when you were here?

[Claire's Mother]

No, I did not. And when I think about that, all my girlfriends were saying, you did this too. We all did this too. In fact, a couple of them I went on spring break with, you know, and I just thought, okay, I just gotta let it go. I gotta let it go. But I am concerned.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

Well, we, and just one last comment. We talk all the time about birth orders, you know, we always tease. Because I'm the only one in the room that's not the oldest or an only child. And I do feel bad for oldest kids in this regard because I do think that you're cutting your teeth on your oldest kid. And because it's the first time that you've dealt with this.

[Claire's Mother]

No question about it.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

You know what I mean?

[Claire's Mother]

Especially with girls. I mean, I can only have girls, but I think it's harder with girls. Cause you're more vulnerable. And I was a girl once. And I know when I was spreading my wings, I drove my mom crazy.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

What we did yesterday is we had Claire on with us yesterday. And Tracy and I both took her phone number, Lindsay's phone number, and tried to call her all day. Because obviously what we want to do is have Lindsay on the phone with us.

[Claire's Mother]

Like, did you get in touch with her?

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Well, it's interesting. Cause we called a few times throughout the day. I think Tracy tried primarily in the morning. And then in the afternoon and into the evening. I tried a few times. I probably didn't try as much as you would have. Maybe three or four times over the course of the day. But it went to voicemail every single time.

[Claire's Mother]

Right. Well, that's what's been happening with me.

[Radio Host - Advertiser]

Right.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Well, now, in the middle of the afternoon, early afternoon, I received word that someone named Lindsay was looking for us.

[Claire]

Really?

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

And Lindsay left a voicemail, called the radio station, and left a voicemail that I would like to play for you.

[Claire's Mother]

She called. She called the radio station.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

She called the radio station.

[Claire's Mother]

You have to.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Now.

[Claire's Mother]

Okay, Let me hear what you said. Can I hear what she said?

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Yeah, we're gonna play it for you now. I just want you to do me a favor and remain calm.

[Claire's Mother]

Okay?

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

All right. And just know that because she called the radio station, I'm assuming that her phone was off. She was either avoiding our calls or doesn't have her phone with her.

[Claire]

All right.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Okay. So this is her message that was left at the radio station.

[Claire's Mother]

Okay.

[Lindsey]

Hi, this is Lindsey. As I understand it, you've been looking for me to try and find out how my week off is going. And I'm not going to get up early just to talk to you, but I'll gladly fill you in on Monday. I'm having a great time, and it's everything spring break is supposed to be. Also, can you let my mom and sister both know that they need to mind their own business? Because I'm a big girl now. Thanks.

[Claire's Mother]

Well, I'm just. I'm very relieved she's okay. I thought she. I don't know, but I thought it was a little snippy.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

But did you hear that there was a specific message to you, to me

[Claire's Mother]

just telling me that, you know, mind my own business and she's a big girl now. I guess she's right. But I don't have to like it all that much.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

Well, I mean, you can't ask more for that. I mean, you know, but it is. It just may, you know, and Bert's not here because I'm sure he would. He would be a lot more defending of you because he's a parent. But I do think that, you know, your job is to get them to be an adult and then, you know, let him go. Let them go.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Now, Claire, just in order to be fair, because we've been kind of critical of your intervening or curiosity or whatever you want to call it, there are people who agree wholeheartedly with you, like Teresa. Good morning, Teresa.

[Claire]

Good morning. How are you?

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Good, how are you?

[Claire's Mother]

All right.

[Claire]

This is my favorite show. I couldn't wait to comment.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Awesome, thank you.

[Claire]

Well, yes, my agreement is with the mom and Bert. I have a 20 year old daughter. We live here in Atlanta. And even if she does go to, you know, to some clubs around here, I just would like a courtesy call just to let me know that she got there okay. I may seem a little bit over, you know, overprotective, but that's the way that I feel. Even if she has gone away for a week and I didn't hear from her, I guess I would have done, like what Bert said yesterday is drive down to where she is. And I just, just. It's not about checking up and what she's doing. I just want a courtesy call to let me know that she got there okay.

[Claire's Mother]

That's exactly how I feel.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

Is she gonna do that her entire life, though? I mean, is she gonna do courtesy calls when she's 30? When she's 35 years?

[Claire]

Oh, no, I'm not talking about that. But I mean, as long as, you know, as long as she's in the partying atmosphere, we know what goes on in spring break with all the, you know, alcohol and things like that. I just want a courtesy call to let me know that she's okay. That's all.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

From the Jersey shore to the heart of the south, parents are concerned.

[Claire]

There we go.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

Well, I mean, Katie and I talked about this last night because it came up. And, you know, the one thing that I think that Lindsay did that was wrong is just to disappear completely. I do. I don't agree with that because I said yesterday that I, you know, especially still in school and still under. And my thing was my parents were helping me through school, so I did feel still an obligation to them. So if I went on a trip and especially if I borrowed money from them, yes, it was my responsibility to say yes, that I was going to. But when Katie and I talked last night, it was a case of, well, we would want to know you got there safe, but then we wouldn't want. We then, done, done. You're got spring break, you do your thing, and then when you're back on the road, we want to know that you're on the road in case we need to get them somewhere, and then that's it. But this checking in while they're there, I just think, you know, that's where I think the gray area is.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

The Nicole would like to join the show. She brings up a good point about the definition of adult. Hey, Nicole.

[Claire]

Hey. How are you guys doing? Good. How are you? I'm hoarse, too, just like Jen. So give my voice. Sorry, I just said that. According to the irs, this girl's an adult. If mom. If she's still living at home, mom's paying that UGA bill, she least owes her the courtesy of telling her where she is. I did spring break. We all know what happens. We all know what happened to Natalie Holloway. I have kids. They're seven and under. So, I mean, I'm not even at this stage yet, but I can only imagine.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

My only thing is, I can't help but think that Mom. I'm not saying that what the daughter's doing is right, but I'm saying that this could be a time of reflection for the mom who could look at why the daughter. Would she have gotten so much grief and guilt from you if she did tell you that she made the decision to upset you this way rather than let you ruin her trip? That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying what's right or wrong. I just think that there's a reason.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

Well, yeah, there are. I think there are some parents that really do abuse the. And you joked, Wendy, about doing it as an adult. Yes. There are some mothers that expect adult children to check in with them beyond college and beyond their 20s. Because I do think that there is an insecurity on the parents level. I'm not judging parents. Of course you want your child to always be safe, but there is a time in which I do think you affect the way your child feels in general and feels about you. And I think what tipped me off yesterday, Claire, is the idea that y' all are best friends. And it didn't sound that way to me on the voicemail.

[Claire's Mother]

Well, it's certainly what we've been forever. And you know, I'm listening to everyone, I'm trying to take it in and. But I'm saying I never even got a call to say she was going.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

See, and I disagree with that. Right.

[Claire's Mother]

Calling me every day and what she's doing, that's too much information. But I think that there's some degree of disrespect between people who love each other to just say, hey, I'm doing this, you know, then if she, then I would have understood if she got pissed and I tried to intervene. I'm not even saying that. I'm just saying to find out that she's just gone and think something's wrong and not be able to have any response for her, it's just disappointing for me.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

I agree with that. I agree that she should have said because even, I mean, I'm older and if I, if Katie and I are going on a road trip, we tell our families we're going on the road trip even now.

[Claire's Mother]

Right? That's right.

[Radio Host - Co-Host]

You know, so I agree.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

We'll check back in with you Monday morning. Claire and Lindsey, according to her voicemail message, will come on with this Monday morning. So we'll talk to you then.

[Claire's Mother]

Okay, fantastic. You guys have a great, great weekend. And thank you for at least letting me know she was okay.

[Radio Host - Main Moderator]

Okay, no problem. This is the message that was left at the radio station by Claire's daughter yesterday.

[Lindsey]

Hi, this is Lindsey. As I understand it, you've been looking for me to try and find out how my week off is going. And I'm not going to get up early just to talk to you, but I'll gladly fill you in on Monday. I'm having a great time and it's everything spring break is supposed to be. Also, can you let my mom and sister both know that they need to mind their own business because I'm a big girl now. Thanks.

[Radio Host - Announcer]

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[Radio Host - Announcer]

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[Radio Host - Advertiser]

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[Radio Host - Announcer]

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