Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
I'm confused. I thought mom wasn't letting her see you? But you're very involved? Could you clarify what the problem is? It might help with advice. What is DD deciding that is causing problems? Is she asking to stay at moms when it's your turn? How far apart do you and mom live?
We were 50/50 until just a few days ago. DD just emailed me saying my house was contributing to her emotional issues and she wanted to stay with mom for a while. We live about a mile apart.
The absurdity is that her mother is too stupid to disguise the fact she wrote the email and signed it in a manner totally different than DD, so I know ex's bitter hand is all over this.
Respond with a firm, "No, I will see you Tuesday per the usual schedule. I'm looking forward to your basketball game Thursday. Love you Larla!"
Don't allow a change in the schedule - for either daughter.
And while some of this might be on the mom, realize that 14years is a shitty age, and attitudes are shitty at that age. I recommend some family counseling (and probably individual counseling for you), but not because you're doing this wrong. Just because this is HARD, and having some professional support to navigate it might help.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
I'm confused. I thought mom wasn't letting her see you? But you're very involved? Could you clarify what the problem is? It might help with advice. What is DD deciding that is causing problems? Is she asking to stay at moms when it's your turn? How far apart do you and mom live?
We were 50/50 until just a few days ago. DD just emailed me saying my house was contributing to her emotional issues and she wanted to stay with mom for a while. We live about a mile apart.
The absurdity is that her mother is too stupid to disguise the fact she wrote the email and signed it in a manner totally different than DD, so I know ex's bitter hand is all over this.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
I'm confused. I thought mom wasn't letting her see you? But you're very involved? Could you clarify what the problem is? It might help with advice. What is DD deciding that is causing problems? Is she asking to stay at moms when it's your turn? How far apart do you and mom live?
We were 50/50 until just a few days ago. DD just emailed me saying my house was contributing to her emotional issues and she wanted to stay with mom for a while. We live about a mile apart.
The absurdity is that her mother is too stupid to disguise the fact she wrote the email and signed it in a manner totally different than DD, so I know ex's bitter hand is all over this.
So, after a signifiant amount of time going back and forth, she decided she wants a say in the matter, and asked to stay with mom for a few extra days, and you're crying parental alienation and threatening to cancel her activities?
It is not unusual or alarming for a teenager to start having strong opinions about where they stay. Making it all about you, rather than realizing that she's in a difficult situation that you and ex created, and that trying to take control is a natural developmentally appropriate response to the situation.
Email back and say "Thanks for letting me know. I'll miss you but I understand. I hope I see you soon! Love, Dad."
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
I'm confused. I thought mom wasn't letting her see you? But you're very involved? Could you clarify what the problem is? It might help with advice. What is DD deciding that is causing problems? Is she asking to stay at moms when it's your turn? How far apart do you and mom live?
We were 50/50 until just a few days ago. DD just emailed me saying my house was contributing to her emotional issues and she wanted to stay with mom for a while. We live about a mile apart.
The absurdity is that her mother is too stupid to disguise the fact she wrote the email and signed it in a manner totally different than DD, so I know ex's bitter hand is all over this.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
I'm confused. I thought mom wasn't letting her see you? But you're very involved? Could you clarify what the problem is? It might help with advice. What is DD deciding that is causing problems? Is she asking to stay at moms when it's your turn? How far apart do you and mom live?
We were 50/50 until just a few days ago. DD just emailed me saying my house was contributing to her emotional issues and she wanted to stay with mom for a while. We live about a mile apart.
The absurdity is that her mother is too stupid to disguise the fact she wrote the email and signed it in a manner totally different than DD, so I know ex's bitter hand is all over this.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
You need serious counseling. It's clear why you are divorced.
You have the inability to see how your actions have consequences and you are always blaming others outside of yourself for your predicament.
OP here. WOW, dcum never fails to absolutely leap screaming into judgement when people are looking for help and perspective.
Yes, my actions have consequences. For one, I'm stricter with discipline and she doesn't like it. Her mother frequently gives in to her and lets DD bully her into submission. How do I know this? DD2.
I'm specifically looking at advice like:
Appeal to the child’s conscience that he or she is rejecting, hurting, and humiliating an innocent party who cares for that child
Appeal to the child’s critical thinking (intelligence and emotions) and make the child aware of the unfairness and cruelty in rejecting a loving parent.
Make the child aware that they may lose a good parent if the process of alienation continues.
Passivity and tolerance are ineffective when dealing with parental alienation. What is required is confrontation of a very powerful type in order to counteract the effects of the alienation and to reverse it.
(source: http://www.parental-alienation.info/publications/24-sigofparalisynandhowtocouitseff.htm)
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
I'm confused. I thought mom wasn't letting her see you? But you're very involved? Could you clarify what the problem is? It might help with advice. What is DD deciding that is causing problems? Is she asking to stay at moms when it's your turn? How far apart do you and mom live?
Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?
Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm not trying to equate the "stuff" and "money" with parenting. I'm really not. I am (I hope) very involved and active in her life.
I'm also not trying to "manipulate" her.
I'm trying to discern the best course of action that makes her realize - eventually, maybe - that her actions and decisions have consequences; that she should begin to have some responsibility.
Incidentally she's also pissed I took her phone away (she broke her ironclad, repeat promise to give me the unlock code) and that I won't let her see a friend who is a terrible influence. Guess who lets her use a phone and guess who lets her see her friend?