[Nikki]

I want to thank everyone for their time and thoughts. I really do appreciate it.

Father_Of_6 and Xero, I want to give special shout-outs to you because you posted after my last one where I thanked people. I found both of your posts very insightful and helpful. Trying to figure out how to help her is very hard. While I don't wish to control her, the sad truth is she needs to be under some kind of control because she is going to fail at school (and maybe life) if something isn't done very quickly. However, I realized that I didn't even have a clue of what to do, no guideline of what's too much or too far. I know what she has had up until now is nowhere good enough. I know she's a good kid in her heart but she's totally out of control right now. I just got a call from the school today saying she was sleeping in class again. So, obviously, she is not monitoring herself in that area which means I have to step in.

And, IADad, I like that word, too. But I fear we might be at a point where I have to "drop the hammer", per the foster agency. I love your advice on putting the computer in a public place with the whole "don't put anything on it you don't want us all to see."

Again, thank you very much for sharing some of the guidelines you use in yor own family. It is great to have something to base the new rules on so that I'm not being unfair but also trying to make some swift changes in this young life so she will have a chance to succeed before she flunks out.