CharlestonGal
New Member
Hello, everyone. I think this is the right place for me to post. Please let me know if it isn't.
Like everyone else here, I've learned that my 15 y/o formerly easy child has been using alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes. Neither her father nor I are in agreement with the use of illegal drugs, underage drinking, underage smoking and all the attendant lies that accompany such activities. Until now, we haven't had any serious problems with our daughter and are somewhat taken aback that she has chosen to involve herself with substance use. She attended a small private school from K4-8th grade, and this year began attending public high school. I thought we had prepared her well for the transition. She has been well educated about smoking, drinking, drug use and sexual activity and was in no way naive about any of these topics.
Her father and I are both shocked and surprised that upon entering her new school, she chose to ally herself with the kids who smoked and drank and used drugs rather than engaging in more positive activities with kids similar to her old peers. I did notice changes in her behavior and attitude over the past several months and her grades dropped as well. Even though I was not highly suspicious about substance use, I knew the red flags when I saw them. After some digging around on social media and speaking to some of her old friends, I learned that she was indeed using. I confronted her this past Saturday and she didn't attempt to lie to me.
Her father and I are in the process of restructuring her time and activities so that she is surrounded by either us or people we trust to guide her to better decisions and environments. We have an appointment with her counselor this afternoon (she's already in treatment for anxiety/panic attacks which she has had for years and takes Zoloft for). I'm hoping her counselor can help her understand why she chose this group of kids and this destructive path rather than the myriad positive peer groups and activities at her new school.
I am at a loss right now trying to understand where my easy child daughter so suddenly went. I'm feeling a sense of mourning and sadness that my little girl, whom I trusted completely (big mistake I now realize), is just gone. She has turned into someone I do not recognize and it has made me beyond sad. I'm sure that is a feeling to which most of you can completely relate.
I'd like to join you if I may. I work from home and do not have a huge support network of friends nearby. Thanks for listening.
Like everyone else here, I've learned that my 15 y/o formerly easy child has been using alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes. Neither her father nor I are in agreement with the use of illegal drugs, underage drinking, underage smoking and all the attendant lies that accompany such activities. Until now, we haven't had any serious problems with our daughter and are somewhat taken aback that she has chosen to involve herself with substance use. She attended a small private school from K4-8th grade, and this year began attending public high school. I thought we had prepared her well for the transition. She has been well educated about smoking, drinking, drug use and sexual activity and was in no way naive about any of these topics.
Her father and I are both shocked and surprised that upon entering her new school, she chose to ally herself with the kids who smoked and drank and used drugs rather than engaging in more positive activities with kids similar to her old peers. I did notice changes in her behavior and attitude over the past several months and her grades dropped as well. Even though I was not highly suspicious about substance use, I knew the red flags when I saw them. After some digging around on social media and speaking to some of her old friends, I learned that she was indeed using. I confronted her this past Saturday and she didn't attempt to lie to me.
Her father and I are in the process of restructuring her time and activities so that she is surrounded by either us or people we trust to guide her to better decisions and environments. We have an appointment with her counselor this afternoon (she's already in treatment for anxiety/panic attacks which she has had for years and takes Zoloft for). I'm hoping her counselor can help her understand why she chose this group of kids and this destructive path rather than the myriad positive peer groups and activities at her new school.
I am at a loss right now trying to understand where my easy child daughter so suddenly went. I'm feeling a sense of mourning and sadness that my little girl, whom I trusted completely (big mistake I now realize), is just gone. She has turned into someone I do not recognize and it has made me beyond sad. I'm sure that is a feeling to which most of you can completely relate.
I'd like to join you if I may. I work from home and do not have a huge support network of friends nearby. Thanks for listening.