It's not petty to feel that way. It might be petty to act that way (it might not be, I'm sure you'll make the right call).

Maybe try (for your own good as much as hers or anyone elses) to remind youreself that you are coming at this from a place of love. You aren't acting out of cruelty or spite, you are doing the best you can for the people you love. You can remind them of that even.

Don't dwell on "used," Maidengurl. Just because it's all going pear-shaped now doesn't mean that your love and support wasn't of value to C. Of course it hurts you terribly. But better she was cared for you by a little rather than not at all.

What she said.

I'm sorry things didn't work out well, MG. I'm glad you were able and willing to try to be there for C, but I'm sorry she wasn't able to meet you there.

Maidengurl, my heart breaks for you, and K-Bug, and C. I think you absolutely and completely did the right thing- and I share your relief that this happened before the guardianship. I am sure that your temporary guardianship did help her, and will continue to help her. You showed her a different way, a healthy way and that will stay with her and guide her as she continues down her own path. Someday she will learn that she cannot run away from every unpleasantness, and perhaps this particular situation may start this process, sooner or later.

I'm so sorry that your own trust was violated and that you feel used. Peace to you and your family this week. I hope you get some rest soon.

C and I are supposed to get togethr today after school to talk. Last night I had said that one of my biggest problems with the way this has played out is that C has not talked to me, just her and me, about any of this.

We will see what happens. I had also said she could have her phone until Wednesday, but I cut if off this morning. Originally, I thought she would be staying with us for the next few days, but then she bailed.

The whole lying thing that started this off is where I feel the most used and made out as a fool. More than her running away. By leaving, she is proving the point that she has not reached a certain maturity level. I know she does not have the same mental tools at her disposal as K-Bug has, but this could have been a chance for her to learn them and really grow from the experience. Instead, she has shifted her life in reverse and slammed on the gas.

Peace to you and your family this week. I hope you get some rest soon.

If it means anything, I slept much better last night after the decision was made that she is leaving than I did Sunday.

I hope she shows up and you guys are able to talk. It sounds like she is afraid of dealing with the consequences of her actions, or doesn't know how.

MG, I'm so very, very sorry.

I still hope that when she's older she'll have an Aha! moment when she realizes that the example you set leads to a better life than the example her mother sets.

wrod.

I feel so bad for you all MG. I have visions of where C can go in the future. My hope is that she can see, sometime in the future, that there are other ways to deal with things, and sometimes it isn't all that bad to face things. Sending you lots of strength so you can get through the conversation. Glad you and the K-bug are getting away soon. It shouldhelp the two of you heal. Seriously, you given your kids a great example of good parenting. I'm just so sorry it is so hard on you all.