Oldest Daughter's friend has a pretty bad home life. Parents are divorced, mother is remarried, and things aren't going well.
ODF had someone drive her home because she had been drinking. Mother yelled at her, slapped her, took away her car keys and cell phone, smashed the phone, sold the car two days later, and bought a new convertible. I heard most of this happening on the phone when she called looking for OD. She called to see if we'd come and get her but her mother said she'd call the police if she left the house.
She mentioned the other day that she needed a ride to work. Mom yells at her, step-father pushes her into her room, and they tell her they can't wait for her to move out.
Some of this would be in the realm of a kid just venting, but I've been on the other side of the phone when she's called the house crying as her mother screams in the background.
Her father took her home the other night but lives in Portsmouth so that makes it hard for her to attend school. She is now staying at our house but I'm not sure how long that will last. Dad is ok with it but I'm not sure if Mom knows. We'll have to find out when they get home from school this afternoon. She's a senior, and goes to college in the fall, can't they find a way to make it work until then?
Posted by bbarton at April 12, 2005 10:42 AMWe're trying to step up to the plate while trying to avoid the proverbial bite in the ass. Thanks for your support.
Posted by: Bob on April 12, 2005 02:21 PMI had a similar situation growing up...my best friends parents left a lot to be desired...bordered on abusive (very close to the border). She ended up moving in with my family for a while - her parents didn't like it and mine weren't completely comfortable with it. But she is still grateful for my family taking her in. Don't know if that helps at all...
Posted by: True Jersey Girl on April 12, 2005 02:48 PMPoor kid...keep her if you can. Beloved as ex academic was continually having to field students with dire family situations. Contrary to what people think - 'now they're off to college we can split' - this stage just before true adulthood is particularly vulnerable. This is tough on your daughter too. Hard to have a suffering friend.
Posted by: grannyp on April 13, 2005 01:14 AM
Yeah, that sucks. It has got to be an uncomfortable situation for you...caught in the middle like that. I will say, as someone who suffered a tempestuous relationship with my parents, that I have never forgotten my friends parents who stepped up to the plate for me. You are doing a good thing, Bob.
Posted by: lu on April 12, 2005 01:06 PM