I guess I got my answer, I gave up too easily. I was thinking of taking them back at the end of the summer. I'm just confused. So this is typical behavior?? Yes, I did take away the phones and I also bought software to block all of the popular sites the kids go on. About a month ago my 13 year old did not get her own way and ran away; I'm afraid that she will do it again. There are so many creeps out there and I have made both of my girls aware of that, and still she left! I am going to lay the rules down when they come back. I'm glad you had a good ending with your son. How long does this TWEEN stuff last??

It is unfortuneatly just a part of their rebellion and sometimes they take it to the extreme...I raised 5 on my own...there father never for 1 day or 1 penny contributed...single parents have the toughest jobs. Don't worry...it will ease up, may not be as quickly as you wish...but the minute their father begins to deny them things they want...they will want to come back...let them know you are okay with them staying with him but you are there if they ever want to return home...it will happen...but it will have to be in their time...but make sure it is on your terms...counseling is a wonderful tool...I wish you the best of luck...and mine may not be the best advice...but rather a thought from my own experience

Trust me..it isn't going to be easy, parenting is the HARDEST job around. My youngest is 17 and he couldn't be any better now.. great in school, hard worker..

Their dad too was always the "hero"... buying them things that "I" said they couldn't have, things I didn't feel were appropriate (logos on shirts). He'd let my oldest take his car whenever he wanted, when I had said no, he was grounded... When the boy's were with their dad, trouble always was around the corner, we had even gone into court a few times.. my ex tried to get custody of them because they "wanted" to live with him..he never won any of the court battles.. I always had the proof that whenever the boys were with him they got into trouble, whether it was with the law or their grades, etc..even at age 17, a lot of people think that the kids have a right to choose where they want to live, that's not true! The court ordered my children to remain in MY home. They too will see what their father is really like.. mine did, it's funny how things turn around sooner or later. My ex has remarried and for the past 3 years my youngest has NOT gone over to his home for his every other weekend visit, nor has he gone there on his scheduled visitation for the summer months, he stays at home. They complain about their dad all the time.. but I am not one to bad mouth my ex, like he does about me to them.. I listen to what they have to say then suggest they talk to him about whatever is bothering them. As far as your one daughter trying to commit suicide..I'm sorry to hear that.. mine never had gone that far, they did the running away thing, but off to their dads LOL.. Kids think they have it so "rough"... Plan a trip down to your local homeless shelters, battered women's shelters, soup kitchens and even your local jail.... let them see what that is really all about and how it is so unfortunate for those people that we all wished we could help them to a better life, show them how life really exists for some people. I will also contact a friend of mine who had sent her troubled son to a weekend retreat, kinda like a military school.. he came back seeing his life in a whole new way. Just my thoughts, there's no "true" answers to parenting... we all make mistakes..it's a learning process for everyone.

Thanks I'll take you advice about the medical check


Good advice from Kim. I raised four kids pretty much as a single father. Their mother was abusive to them and herself out of control. Hold your ground with your discipline and keep them in counseling. What you're experiencing is a long and heartbreaking thing to go through. Always remember that as parents, we do the best with what we know at the time. Hang in there because what you do may not be appreciated now, but when your kids become adults, they'll realize what a wonderful mother they have.

One other thing. Take them in for a complete medical check-up. When my daughter was young, she was near impossible to handle. A complete medical workup showed that she had a thyroid problem which reaps havoc with hormones. Once she was put on medication, her mood swings and impossible behavior disappeared in a few weeks.