Hi Mark,
I just purchased your program today. I am going to try and make this brief. My daughter has been with father for the last 4 months we have 50/50 custody. Recently she has talked about moving back and going to her old school. We had a blow out the other day because of a pierced lip that her father allowed her to get knowing this is not allowed in my house. I would also not get her a dress that night. She hit me called me bad names and was out of control. I called her father and said I would be picking her up Sunday night and am going back to 50/50 custody because of how she felt I have no control over her behavior. My problem is this program takes about 4 weeks and this Sunday is days away. My question is should I not pick her up and let her stay with her father if that is what she so desires and explain I love her and this would be her choice to live with her father instead of being with me and the rules at our house. Or should I pick her up Sunday night and really try to get through this program while she is here week on week off? Because I have no have time to go through the program I don't know what would be best.
Your help is greatly appreciated,
S.
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Hi S.,
When this situation arises, the typical scenario (in brief) looks something like this:
1. Child goes to father's house to live (greener grass myth)...
2. About a 2 to 4 week "honeymoon period" is experienced in the new home (i.e., things go very well at first)...
3. Then the child begins to behave (i.e., misbehave) the same way she behaved in previous home...
4. Father cannot successfully address the misbehavior and sends the child back to mom...
Having said this, I think it would be good for you and your daughter to have a time-out from one another. Take advantage of the opportunity to get a break (albeit a short one).
Mark Hutten, M.A.
