Deadbeat Dad

Deadbeat Dad

My daughter has always been respectful, well-mannered, and obedient. Lately, she's been missing her dad (he lives in Florida with his new family) and she's been acting out. She's been getting snooty with me.

This past Friday I told her she couldn't go to practice (she's in track), but she went anyway. She didn't get home until 10 p.m. I was terrified, I called her and she wouldn't answer, I texted her, but she wouldn't respond. When she got home she was acting as if nothing was wrong.

The next morning she wrote me a letter, but didn't actually apologize, it was like I feel bad, but it felt good and I'm tired of being a good girl.

When we sat down and talked about what's bothering her, she said that she misses her dad. She's feeling bad because all he talks about is her brothers and sister. He's like the perfect dad to his other children and he says it in front of her. He doesn't acknowledge her accomplishments. Whatever she does doesn't seem to please him.

Now she's lashing out at me, like it's my fault and I don't know what to do. I don't know what to tell her because she's really hurt. I know that she doesn't really mean to be this way.

How can I help her to feel better? Not to be so angry. How can I teach her to direct the anger to the cause? How do I balance being there for her, but at the same time let her know that it's not all right for her to disrespect me?

HOW CAN I HELP HER?