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Old 09-08-2010, 07:01 AM
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GingerM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Under the Rainbow
Posts: 1,086
I have a nephew who is living with me - somewhat similar situation, but not quite as severe as yours.

The short answer: be there, be reliable, be dependable, let her know you value her opinion, let her discover herself. The lessons learned in life are usually best learned when we figure them out on our own. I might even suggest dropping the discussions of alcoholism to 1x week.

Don't push anything on her that she's not ready for. She will have many more awakenings. If possible, get her into counseling once a week, and each time ask her if she wants you in the room with her (my nephew still wants me in the room each session).

As an ACoA who had no adult support from anyone and still turned out pretty okay, I applaud everything you're doing for her. I would have been thrilled to have had one adult who showed some degree of interest in my well-being. Even if she doesn't say it or show it to you (that's teenager's for ya!), she feels it. That is the critical part.
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