[JKLNHYD]

I have a 12 yr old as well that I have been her stepfater for the past 10 years. There was time when we thought she was going to need to go to boarding school but it was really the fact that she was in this rut of wanting to be trusted more and do the things that her friends were doing but we didn't want her doing. She is an awesome student in school so we couldn't hammer her for that. I found out that when she acted out it was because she wanted something but was afraid to just ask. Sometimes its more about listening to her than it is talking...And I'm a firm believer in explaining the entire situaton about why I have the answers that I do. "Because I said so" isn't always the best route, especially when we know more about life and consequences than they do. Hope this helps...