Dear LFTP: the 14-year-old 'independent thinker' letter
- Why is it outrageous for a 14-year-old to come to her own conclusions, challenge accepted ideas, or find her own faith?
Opening with the recurring 'Mike's Hour' comedy bit, the hosts read a letter from a 14-year-old girl upset that adults tell her to be an independent thinker and embrace herself, then put her down for not conforming. The hosts roast the letter as vague, lofty drivel that avoids specifics, then read the 'secular answer' (praising independent thinkers, noting Jesus was an independent thinker — 'not my will but yours, Father'). On parenting: one host's rule is 'my house, my rule — you're going to church' with the door open to choose once they move out; others note the letter hints at a Christian household where she may want to stop attending church.
More on Parenting
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Dear LFTP: Champ the untrained dog and holding boundaries with your son
- How do I handle my son bringing his untrained dog Champ on our weekend grandson visits?
Mike reads the second letter: the writer hosts weekend grandson visits where her son Dennis brings Champ, an untrained destructive puppy that runs wild, barks, and digs.
From No. 586 · Nothing Personal
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Dear LFTP: wife mocks husband's bladder problem in public
- How should I respond when my wife mocks me and my bladder problem in public?
Mike reads a letter from a man married three years whose wife calls him vulgar names in public and makes his bladder-control problem into comedy.
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Dear LFTP: the birthday invitations
- Should parents be allowed to send birthday invitations to school when only select students are invited?
Mike reads the second letter: the parent of a special-needs pre-K child saw a Facebook group post exposing that her daughter was excluded from a birthday party.
From No. 574 · Starring Ted Danson as Joab
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Dear LFTP: Cindy's baby name ideas
- What should I do about my friend's terrible baby name choices?
Mike reads a letter from Dave about his longtime friend Cindy, six months pregnant, who keeps proposing names like chlamydia, bidet, chalet, and cliche because they sound pretty regardless of meaning.