The hardest thing to do is to let our children go. I understand your reservation and concerns. Consider this though....
1) You have planted a solid foundation in your daughter and nothing can take that away.
2) You cannot always shelter them....you need to let them figure it out.
3) How can your daughter ever learn to stand up and or pick herself up if you do not give her room to fall.
4) IMO, your daughter needs to learn about life in a "not so controlled" environment. FTR, I am not saying it is cool that she does drugs, hangs out with boys...NO...what I am saying is that the only way SHE will want to come back is...if you let her go and figure it out.
Matt - I am walking this same path with you...more than you know. I know how much it hurts, I know how much you just want what is best for your little girl. I know how tough it is watching them make mistakes and also watching an ex who is lost in her own world. I've lived this for a long long time. I am trying to save you the hurt.
When you let her go Matt, your daughter that is, you are not just ignoring her, you are not turning away, NO. What you are doing is giving her the space she needs to learn from HER mistakes.
Your daughter is gonna be fine. She has YOU as a DAD and believe it or not, that really is enough. She knows you are her rock. She knows that she can come to you and tell you everything.
If you choose to allow her the room to make mistakes...you'll need a few tools...
1) Text and call her everyday. Daily. No excuses.
2) Weekends she is with you. No if and or buts.
3) She is to let you know where she is going. Even on her mom's day. F' dat you are the responsible parent now.
4) Get to know her new friends. I know they are 30 miles away. No excuse...get to know them.
5) Be present in her life - always.
(((hugs)))
"The difficulties of Life are intended to make us BETTER,not bitter". "Fear is a prison, where you are the jailer. FREE YOURSELF!" "Life is usually all about how you handle Plan B." - Jack3Beans
