What should I do

United States
October 20, 2009 8:42am CST
I have something that I need to get off of my chest and thought that this would be the best place to do it. Anyhow, my family and I just moved into our new home this past February. Since then my children have made friends with the children in the neighborhood.All about the same age as they are. All pretty normal for kids. But, my oldest daughter, she's 10, has made friends with a girl who I am afraid is going to become a bad influence. This girl is 11 and for now is generally a good kid. The problem that I am having is that this poor child is screaming for some attention from her mother and isn't getting any. In fact when her mom is confronted about a situation she walks away. Ok, so here is the whole story. In this house there are 2 young adult males. One is the brother and the other is his friend. Then there is the 11 year old girl and the mother (when she decides to come home). For the most part this girl is being raised by her brother and his friend. But, her brother and friend are not even able to take care of themselves most of the time. They are always drunk or stoned from one drug or another. That is when they are home. This girl is left on her own for about 70% of her time. That means she has to cook for herself, make sure she goes to bed at a decent time and get herself off to school(which lately has not been very often). I asked her brother once why she had missed school and he could not give me any answer. The mother is the only one working, which I know can be difficult. But, when she is not working she is out partying with her friends until she has to go back to work. This young girl is over weight and starting to develop very quickly. She has been wearing lots of make up and trying to get boys to notice her. She has recently told my daughters that she thinks the friend of her brother that lives with her likes her. When she was asked why, she said because he winks at her and makes comments. When my daughter brought this up to the mom she just walked away. This girl has talked to my daughter about running away and dropping out of school. She has plans to be a hooker for Halloween and the mom is ok with that. Maybe that doesn't seem that bad to most people. But, should an 11 year old really know what a hooker is? Her brother has taught her all he knows about drugs and she has seen it first hand. He says that is so she knows what it can do. I told my daughter that if there was adult supervision there the other night that she could spend the night. But, then I found out the boys were drunk. I told her that she is not allowed to ever stay there. The girl can come here. But, that's it. And my husband and I have told her the reasons why (in a manor that was appropriate for her age). That same weekend the mom told her that she was going to be on her own for the whole weekend. Her brother could go out of state if he wanted to and it wouldn't matter. I didn't find that out until much later. Had I known that was the case I probably would have suggested that she stay at our house for the weekend. I don't want to tell my daughter that she can't hang out with her anymore because there really aren't any more kids in our neighborhood that are her age. And I don't think this little girl is a bad kid(right now). But, if her mom doesn't wake up she is going to be in a very bad situation. And I don't want to call DFC because the worst they would do is take her out of the home and put her in foster care. And I don't think that bouncing around from home to home is what she needs either. Her dad died when she was a baby. So, that option is out as well. I'm just not sure what to do here. I am trying very hard to stay out of it. But, it seems like everyday there is something new to add to the fire.
1 person likes this
5 responses
• United Arab Emirates
7 Mar 10
I would also like to add another comment. I think she would be better off with Foster care rater than with her mother who is behaving like this and having a bad influence on her own children.
1 person likes this
• United Arab Emirates
7 Mar 10
Firstly I think you should advise your daughter and tell her that it is ok being friends with her but not to do the bad things her friend is doing. explain to her the dangers of behaving in that manner. Be a friend to her and let her tell you everything that she knows about this friend. Make her realise so that may be she might on her own take a decision not to join this friend. I know it is a very difficult situation. Be very tactful with your daughter, I think she may be having friends in school. So if she loses this friend it will not be that bad. Pray to God and ask him for guidance for your daughter so that she will not be mislead. I really feel sorry for your neighbours daughter because she has no proper guidance and that is the cause of her bad behaviour.
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@sid556 (30959)
• United States
19 May 10
Hi Aharter, What a bad situation! Where to start! One thing is obvious is that poor girl is screaming for love and attention and sadly, it is looking like she will get it from all the wrong places and in the wrong ways. She is being terribly neglected in all areas of her life and put in situations that no girl that young should be in. As for her knowing what a hooker is, that isn't so bad as long as she is being taught proper values along with this knowledge. Doesn't sound as if this girl is being taught much of anything except for the dark side of life. I would not allow my child to spend the night or even much time at that girls house. Sounds as if even when there are adults there, it is still a bad and maybe worse situation. Instead, I'd probably take this girl under my wing and have her at my home as much as possible and try to steer her in the right direction. I would probably also have some words with that mother not that it'd do much good. Well, I see this was 7 months ago that you wrote this. Have things improved?
• United States
20 Oct 09
I did not grow up in a "normal" home but the person who made the most difference was my friends mother. She would correct my manners, tell me what was inappropriate to wear and so on. My mother was mom, she was Momma, my kids call me momma. See my point. That said that is a major role to take on. You might be able to use the girl as an example of what not to do for you own daughter.
• United States
21 Oct 09
I agree. She is screaming for attention and if her mother isn't going to give it to her OR anyone else, then she really could make a wrong turn in life. The important part is that she is looking for that attention. It couldn't hurt to show interest in her life and what she's doing and how she is feeling....You could grow up to be her "momma"
• United States
21 Oct 09
You both are right. I was just afraid to step in because she wasn't my child. I am certainly going to try it. Thank you both.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
19 May 10
In a case like you describe, I wouldn't think twice about stepping in. The mother doesn't seem to care and if she did it would only be because you are bringing to light the fact that she is not caring enough for her daughter.
@hvedra (1619)
28 Oct 09
This kid could end up a major mess. It would be bad enough if the mother was away working but you say she is often away partying - in which case I don't have a lot of sympathy with the mother, she's stopped caring about the daughter (and the son which is why he bahaves like he does). By all means call Child Protection or whoever you need to call and don't feel bad about it.