Re: Should we confront our daughter face to face?
Hi,
Your story is perfectly describing the situation I went through with my daughter. Drugs, smoking, failing the school, compulsive lying.
I tried everything: counseling, crying, talking, punishing.
Until one day she exploded and screamed out all her fear and problems, which looked so radicously unimportant to me, and she was ready to give up on her life because of this.
My daughter felt much better after she yelled out everything what was bothering her along with confession about drugs, smoking.
I was shocked and I told her only one thing: “This is your life and you are in charge and fully responsible for it. I can't save you and fix this for you. This time you have to do it on your own. Find your way to deal with: counseling, group support, any available help outside and I will financially support it, but I can't rescue you. I will be always there for you and you can count on me in any situation. I will be patient and understanding but you have to help yourself."
It helped; she graduated high Scholl and was accepted to the college. Her attitude changed and she is back to normal.
There is more than confrontation; you should show her your love and trust. She need this the most right now. She is just lost on her way.
KIVI