Yep... I didn't take everyone's advice and run. I was pretty sure this would be a short term thing. Hell, I still don't know how long term this is going to turn out to be.

I tried to make the best of it. Husband has been making more of an effort with me lately - and I haven't worried so much about the kid. Let my gaurd down and just decided that I would be comfortable in my house - but with a kid there. I wasn't going to worry about it.

She went home for the weekend with her mother and there is a whole list of things that I said/did wrong...

(1) I told her that if she was sent back just to have counseling that I was not ok with that.

I'm still not. However, she twisted this to tell her mother that I was going to be "pissed" if the only reason she was sent back was the counseling appointment. Of course rather than talk about the behavior issues the kid has, they are going to do exactly that. Tell her she has to come back for her appointment on the 9th. She apparently talked to the counselor (which was a first) do they really think that if she thinks that it's the only reason she's coming back that she's going to say anything at all? I wouldn't either.

(2) I told her that her time on the computer was up to her mom and dad.

I did tell her that I had no particular rule about how long I wanted her on the computer except that I would enforce what I heard from her mom and dad. Which she took home to tell her mother "As long as you can't see me on Facebook chat Sarah says it's ok if I'm online whenever I want."

(3) I refused to take her to work with me or force her to volunteer anywhere.

I simply refuse to take her with me to sulk, pout, and sit in a corner. It is distracting and unprofessional - even though I have permission to bring her. I have things for her to do - but she refused to do them. If I was her mother - my first instinct would be to tell her to sit in the corner until she was bored enough to vacuum (I even offered her $20 for doing it). But you know what, I took her home. I don't need to deal with a cranky teenager all day. In addition, I am not going to force a teenager who does not want to be there on one of the volunteer opportunities we have available. They don't have time to deal with that.

Interpreted at home as "Sarah said she doesn't care if I lay on the couch and watch TV all day."

You know what.... there is more...

I think when she comes back I just might keep my mouth shut. Not invite her to do anything with me and stay the hell out of the way. Maybe really far out of the way.