Preloading

Michael Jr. Confronts His Mother About Her Past Drug Use and Neglect

Season 5 Episode 508
Aired on 03/24/2018 | CC
Born to a mother who abandoned her seven sons because of her crack addiction, Michael Mitchell Jr. has spent much of his life trying to cope with the trauma of his childhood, including both physical and sexual abuse as well as frequently being shuffled among foster homes. Now, with Iyanla's support, 36-year-old Michael—the oldest of seven brothers—has the opportunity to confront his mother, Leronda, about her decades of absence.

"I feel like you see me there, but I'm not there. I'm invisible to you, but I don't want to be invisible. I'm your son," Michael says. "I feel like, in your eyes, you wish you never had me. When I was adopted, I still was crying for you. I waited. I waited. I got abused, molested. Where was you? I can't call my mom to come and save me while I'm getting beat on, starving, wasn't eating in foster care. Where was you then? You out there doing your drugs, having fun. ... I wanted to kill myself because I felt like nobody loved me."

Tune in Saturday, March 24, at 9/8c.

Full Episodes

Full Episodes

Farewell Special -- Part 2

Farewell Special -- Part 2

Season 8 Episode 808

Farewell Special -- Part 1

Farewell Special -- Part 1

Season 8 Episode 807

Open Letter to All Black Men

Open Letter to All Black Men

Season 8 Episode 806

99 Problems and My Mom Is One

99 Problems and My Mom Is One

Season 8 Episode 805

Taking Care of Business

Taking Care of Business

Season 8 Episode 804

Dirty Laundry

Dirty Laundry

Season 8 Episode 803

Marriage Is Not Our Business

Marriage Is Not Our Business

Season 8 Episode 802

LisaRaye: Queen of De-Nial

LisaRaye: Queen of De-Nial

Season 8 Episode 801

When Dirty Laundry Goes Viral

When Dirty Laundry Goes Viral

Season 7 Episode 708

All Aboard the Trauma Train

All Aboard the Trauma Train

Season 7 Episode 706

Home Invasion Horror Story

Home Invasion Horror Story

Season 7 Episode 707

LisaRaye McCoy

LisaRaye McCoy

Season 7 Episode 705

Biological Mama Drama

Biological Mama Drama

Season 7 Episode 704

The Masks We Wear

The Masks We Wear

Season 7 Episode 701

House of Chaos

House of Chaos

Season 7 Episode 702

Shay Johnson: 'BLEEP Your Process!'

Shay Johnson: "BLEEP Your Process!"

Season 7 Episode 703

Where Are They Now: Fix My Overweight Family

Where Are They Now: Fix My Overweight Family

Season 6 Episode 616

Where Are They Now: Fix My Abusive Marriage

Where Are They Now: Fix My Abusive Marriage

Season 6 Episode 615

Pride vs. Prejudice (Part 2)

Pride vs. Prejudice (Part 2)

Season 6 Episode 620

Pride vs. Prejudice (Part 1)

Pride vs. Prejudice (Part 1)

Season 6 Episode 619

MORE

Clips

Clips

Iyanla: "My Relationship With Motherhood Was Complicated

Iyanla: "My Relationship With Motherhood Was Complicated

 Iyanla Explains The Origin Of Her Name

Iyanla Explains The Origin Of Her Name

 Iyanla Recalls Her Favorite One-Liners That Became Memes

Iyanla Recalls Her Favorite One-Liners That Became Memes

 Digital Exclusive: Iyanla on the Power Of a Hug

Digital Exclusive: Iyanla on the Power Of a Hug

 In Memoriam

In Memoriam

 The "Iyanla: Fix My Life Farewell Special" Airs Saturday

The Iyanla: Fix My Life Farewell Special Airs Saturday

 Iyanla Shows David Jr. That He's on the Pipeline to Prison

Iyanla Shows David Jr. That He's on the Pipeline to Prison

 A Son on His Widowed Father: "We Broke This Man Down"

A Son on His Widowed Father: "We Broke This Man Down"

 Dr. Steve Perry On The School-To-Prison Pipeline

Dr. Steve Perry On The School-To-Prison Pipeline
MORE