[911Rob]

Sorry to hear about your troubles afterburn.

It sound like you have your hands full, but you are willing to do the right thing and be a good parent; good for you!

I've always believed that a child is the product of their environment. How has this girl been raised? At this age the slightest things can be the biggest problems to a child. Things like "Sally said this" or "Joe did that". Very trivial things can be huge matters for teenagers. All you can do is to make her environment the best that it can be.

Of course she must know that you and your wife love her.

Make ALL of the adult decisions for her; some step kids can be downloaded with adult challenges that they can't handle. Let her know that you love her and that you're there to make the decisions and she is under your protection.

Smaller schools and communities are often better as there is more accountability among the kids and the less populare ones fit in easier. She could be under alot of peer pressures?

Working with and through some of her friends parents can help to? Often the parents of your daughters friends will know about the situation than you. Kids are more apt to talk to their parents about their friends than themselves. Let everyone know that you love her and you're trying to help. Human nature usually leads to kids/parents wanting to help in these situations.

Work with her, communicate and let her know how much you love and care for her. You may need to restrict some of her activities and socializing until you see some better results in her behaviour.

The weight thing is brought on my society. Less TV and teen mags is a definate; but make your house a healthy house too. Good eating habits focusing on nutrition and activities. Lead by example. Provide lots of food for her, but make it all good and nutritional. Make grabbing a healthy snack easy and get rid of all the crappy food from your kitchen. Take a family walk and talk as much as possible.

My two cents......... hoping something might help. I feel for you man!
Good Luck,


BTW.... a sig should tell your name?