MKWill
08-05-2005, 07:52 AM
My boyfriend's daughter who lives 50 miles east was recently diagnosed bipolar and has been seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist. In the past 3 wks she's shoplifted (caught with sex aid devices) and is waiting for a court date, and at 14 yrs of age she's taken her mother's car out at 2 a.m. for a spin--the police were called to help find her, and another time to pick up a "problem" boyfriend. The boy is 16 (has failed 8th grade twice and is heading to continuation school next month). We are scheduled to go with 3 sets of families on a one week vacation out of state. I feel uncomfortable, that she may need to be "stabilized" and that her Dad should be spending more time with her so she has some structure and that his presence is more available for her. I don't live with the boyfriend, and see him on weekends, but am concerned for his daughter. She's mixed in with the wrong crowd,getting into legal problems. I've never met the mother (who is bipolar too). Do we bring her on the vacation so she can get away from the other boy--as a diversion; or should not go on the vacation and get more immediate attention from the Dad. They don't discipline her...most likley because of the bipolar. And both parents haven't gone to talk with the boy's Dad--which I've suggested. Odd thing is, when she's out here visiting and I see her socially she's fine and doesn't act up. She's also gifted in Math/Science--but barely passed 8th grade as she purposefully didn't turn in her homework -- same thing happened in 5th grade. She's a risk taker, likes challenge and is sharp as a tack. Perhaps she needs more supervision, some structure and some healthy challenges/hobbies she's interested in?