SD Privacy, NEED HELP!!!!
Forums:
We just purchased my SD a car for her 18th birthday. The issue I am having is that she has lied to her father and I stating that she is with the mother for the weekend when she is not. She has rules here with us that is why she leaves on the weekends. I just went into her room and read a notebook that stated she was drunk over the weekend and chances are she was in the car. It realy upsets me that my husband and I sacrificed so much to get her this car and she does this. Was I wrong for reading her notebook? How do we approach her about the drinking?
Your house, your rules
Until & unless she is to be trusted & is paying rent, you have every right to read her notebook. If she is being irresponsible then you have every right to confront her & take away her car privileges.
I would try to be objective about it rather than being emotional. It's more about actions & consequences than it is about getting back at someone.
Anything a child writes a
Anything a child writes a parent can read. It is your job to try and keep children, 18 year olds are children if living at home, safe. So go ahead and read her journal whenever possible, you'll see a side of the child you never knew existed. It is also important to go to sites like MySpace and type your childs name in the sites search engine, you may be shocked at what you find.
Do not tell the child you read her journal. There are many ways to tell the child you know what is going on. Say a concerned parent/friend called you and informed you about her drinking, or that you noticed the smell of alchol in the car or on her clothing/breath. Make sure your husband and you confront your stepdaughter together and know before hand what the consequences will be. Do not get emotional but speak in a respectful straight forward matter of fact tone.