Hi everyone,
I was going to sit down and write a very well-composed message to introduce myself, but I think I am just too exhausted. Tonight is just another night in a long list of nights where my 16yo daughter has stressed me to no end. She has gone out, refused to answer my calls/text messages, will probably violate curfew, and come home high. She has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and ADD, inattentive type. Starting this summer, I caught her high (weed) on probably 5 occasions. The pattern has been that she goes out with friends, lies about where she is actually going (I find out later), refuses to answer my cell phone calls or text messages, then returns past curfew (at worst one hour late), and clearly under the influence. I ground her for a few weeks, take away her computer and the lock on her door (since she would tend to run in there and refuse to let us speak to her until she sobered up the next morning), etc.. The minute she is done being grounded, she breaks the exact same rules again. I am so tired, so weary of this. I have to admit that I am having thoughts in the last month like I just wish she was 18 and I would kick her out of the house. I never imagined in my worst dreams that I could feel that way about my much wanted and much loved child. She has no conscience it seems. She is causing such enormous stress to everyone in our family. I don't know what more to do. Anyone with ideas would be helping a lot if you would mention them. More on my other, younger child later -- for now, I just want to run away, and I know I can't. This is not what I signed up for....ha. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.
Liliana
age 43, mom to 16yo daughter and 13 yo son