But it's a START! Bravo! I'm glad she took you up on staying to open the gifts. I know your heart is breaking -- right now the draw of the car and no rules is what's keeping her there. Believe me, there will be a crack in paradise and you'll have to be the one there to pick up the pieces.

As for the stocking, you can have NEW traditions -- how about "Kids that are home for Christmas get stocking fillers"??????

Forcing a kid (at that age) to stay with you or visit with you is time spent *resentfully*. Let her come to you. Keep the lines of communication open and keep calling her to say "hello". Getting together for coffee, or meeting for dinner, opens the doors up even more. Remember Daddy Dearest and new wifey are trying to *win* at playing *family*. If only they knew that family starts with loving and caring about eachother! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> She was sick a couple weeks ago and let me know that her prescription cost her dad $300.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I can bet bottom dollar that dad suggested, "now you make sure your MOM knows that I spent $300 on your prescription". I highly doubt a teenager would care less how much the prescription cost -- they don't want to hear if you are going to pay dad 1/2 of the prescription.

I've been reading up on PAS and a couple other things that Elan brought to my attention.

I joined two of the groups/sites dedicated to stopping Parental Alienation Syndrome. Nothing I've read (except Elan's own story) is very encouraging.

Not much to report...no contact since the lunch date last Thursday. I've sent a couple IM's and I emailed D the photos she wanted.

Counselor still has not called to set up a schedule for the court-appointed counseling. My attorney says to just wait for the call.

Ex enrolled D in new school yesterday. Of course, I was not consulted and certainly don't approve. Her school counselor told me a couple months ago that he didn't think the change in schools would be beneficial for her.

D did call my mother over the weekend and she is getting sick again. She is allergic to woodstoves and fireplaces and we almost lost her when she was a baby before we realized what was causing it. I believe this is what's going on with her now. Also, Ex hasn't bothered to have her yearly dental exam which was supposed to be on 9/7/04 and she's not been to the orthodontist in 4 months.

I've been offered an excellent job out-of-state but with court and the supposed counseling looming, I don't dare to make a move.