[Born2Fly71]

I went to pick up my 15 year old daughter the other day, and I was unable to locate her for 45 minutes, and after numerous calls and texts, I found her. As a result, I grounded\forbid her from attending the Alive Festival in Mineral City Ohio this week. Two of the parents of her friends kept pressuring her mother (my-ex wife) to let her attend, even after they knew I said no. My ex allowed my daughter to attend, and now I have been marginalized as a father. My daughter will have no respect for my decisions, and the other parents basically ignored my decision and took my daughter without permission. My depression and anger is now off the charts, and I am not sure how I can handle this, or if I will ever regain any respect from my daughter again. I have considered calling the police or getting an attorney involved since this is my weekend to have my daughter, and I am powerless to change it.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. The responsible parent suffers the brunt of divorced parenting - In my experience and that of my husband. Both of us had to be the “bad guy.” I will tell you that the truth comes out in the end and the kids do realize that you tried to do the right thing for them. Both our kids are in their twenties now and they do know we always tried to do the best and right things for them.

[Born2Fly71]

Originally Posted by Sisabel

The responsible parent suffers the brunt of divorced parenting

I have been anything but the responsible parent. I am 5 years sober from a life that I regret to my core. I feel like it's too-little-too-late to be a good parent, but I love my daughter more than anything. My depression grows by the day, and my ex has systematically dismantled me in the eyes of my daughter. It is so painful that other parents disregard me as a non-issue, and make my daughters decisions for me. I have recently restarted therapy, and I am hoping to find a way through this pain.

[Humpty Dumpty]

Originally Posted by Born2Fly71

my ex has systematically dismantled me in the eyes of my daughter. It is so painful that other parents disregard me as a non-issue, and make my daughters decisions for me. I have recently restarted therapy, and I am hoping to find a way through this pain.

My wife had a very low opinion of her father growing up. Once she got older, & wiser, she understood his decisions more. She didn't forget about what happened but she was able to move on & now has a better relationship with him. Hopefully the same will happen with your daughter when she gets older.
I hope this therapy can do you some good.

[Candy1955]

Read your court ordered visitation schedule. You may have some leverage there if you want to use it.
Otherwise the next time you see your daughter, explain to her this isn't about good guy vs bad guy, but rather about respect for each other and character. For the most part, put it behind you. What is done is done. Good luck with the therapy. It will help.