[Superman]

I've met this girl and (I hope you'll excuse me, Paul) she strikes me as the quitessential teenaged girl. That is, her CPU is simply not energized. The switch is in the "OFF" position. I suspect that Paul (or any other father of a teenaged girl) will agree. I noticed that she seems to have a particular focus, and that the information she receives on other topics are unwanted distractions. For example, she might want to go hang with her friends. With this agenda she is prepared to accept information about how to move forward with her social plans, but not prepared to accept information about other topics like money, school, driving safety, or any other. Again, this is a normal thinking pattern for a teenaged girl. Teenaged boys are GENIUSES by comparison.

My advice? Run away screaming. If that remedy is not feasible, then learn to pray. Y'know, I wonder.... Perhaps you might make a trip to Harbor Freight for the dolly kit and some other body/paint tools, and set up some appointments with her. She can wear her grubbies and learn how to repair automobile dents. Repairing automobile dents is not that much fun, so imagine combining that with quality time with Dad in the driveway, in full view of the neighborhood.

Naw, that's not a solution. but I kinda like the 2-week car removal, doubling each time. Have a meeting each time permission to socialize is sought. Gather info about where she's going, who se'll be with, when she'll return....and include a discussion about driving and attentiveness.

Oh, and I imagine you may have already advised her that beauty is inversely proportional to makeup usage. Again, no disrespect. She's a lovely girl and should know that her beauty is really hers...that it does not come from a bottle.

At any rate, I feel for ya, buddy. BTDT. For those of you who are not experienced in this area, here's a data point: Ever felt frustrated trying to deal with the emotions and agendas and absence of logic of an adult female? Yeah, I thought so. Well, adult females are a snap, a breeze, compared to teenaged ones. No comparison at all. In fact, adult females have AT LEAST as much trouble dealing with teenaged girls as adult males.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Paul.