Thank you very much for all that you shared!

Although completely boy driven at this stage, our daughter has shown willingness to enter the spiritual world once again. My family was raised Jewish and my husband has a Christian upbringing. We have always been respectful of each other's backgrounds, yet the last couple of years at the height of our daughter's situation and her resistance to attend anything at our local Synagogue, we stopped the fight.

Her school environment is a behavior unit, so the Synagogue connection is a true slice of life, where she has a chance to be seen as the beautiful person she is indeed. The Rabbi seems to have positively stepped in this week to slow down our 13 year old's fixation on a 16 year-old boy. It's a relief that the 16 year old has slowed things down and been receptive to just being friends.

Right now, we're trying to get a better handle on meds. DBT seems to be the best therapy option, but our resources are limited, and our daughter is resistant to the therapy that is $150/hour.

Our last ER/hospital/behavior unit run, setup a home contract, which our daughter definitely is having difficulty following. Especially in terms of her help with chores at home, and her responsibility to do some work, when she gets to my classroom after school.

She has a constant need to be in charge. She is incredibly cold to me. There is no right that I can do in her eyes. Her respect level has improved a little bit, yet overall she only does as she pleases.

Of recent Dr. appointments, it seems like our daughter is less "bipolar" and more an issue of a personality disorder and depression.

It's a very confusing/heart wrenching process.

I want the best for my 13 year old. I hate that she is in a behavior unit at school, but she won't conform to the basics of life right now. Then we have her 14 year old high school sister, who is doing her best to lead a normal high school life. Yet, things are far from normal in our house. Our 13 year old monopolizes all of our energy at home, for years now.

Keep praying that my youngest will start fighting what ails herself, rather than me. It feels unjustified, I have become the enemy in her eyes. I want to do right by her, I wish I could shake her back into reality at times.

It's a drama that only intensifies, as time keeps passing by.

I apologize for my reply becoming a vent session.

I am a happily married, positive person. I love being a Mom to my two, beautiful daughters. I am a 4th grade teacher, and love my job.

Sometimes it feels like the greatest challenge is getting our 13 year old to care about life as much as her problems. She is so capable and beautiful. I wish she could see the promise that I see inside of her. Yet, it's hard guiding her towards that, when she views me as the enemy.

Thanks for your time, if you are still reading.

With sincere thanks!!!!!

Take care.

Mom4hope