What to do?

I will not spend time introducing myself right now. I've thought about blogging for a long time, and it's never been quite the right moment.

It's not the right moment right now, but what the heck. We're stressed. I have two wonderful daughters. One just turned 14, the other almost 17. You couldn't ask for better kids, and I know. I am the most impartial of parents.

The 14 year old has a friend to whom she's been a life-line. He has been living with an alcoholic father. Last year, in 7th grade, she was his only friend. This year, 8th grade, she's been able to help him make some friends. He is a high-risk kid.

Today, she received an email from him. He was at his mom's house. ( Drug addict) The boy had stolen his dad's car over several nights, and had finally, after practicing, driven it some 40 miles down to Sacramento. He eventually crashed it into a ditch.

So, he's in big trouble with his dad- who wants him back. He's not at all in trouble at his mom's. Hello? He *should* be in trouble! And, my younger daughter is his "only" friend!

Various phone calls took place between us and other caring adults. My daughter will continue to call him. We will get other kids who like him to call him. But this is a boy who is seriously at risk. Evidently the sheriff wasn't interested that he drove 40 miles without driver's training or a license.

And here I am telling my daughter that all she can do is call him on a regular basis, and extend the hand of friendship. She's terribly worried about him. But all you can do is offer help, and pray for someone. They have to be willing to accept the help.

The saddest thing of all is that this is a boy who would, according to all the powers that we speak to, be better off away from both parents, and with a foster parent who would love the hell out of him.

We can't help him, as we are perilously close to losing our house. My children's father tossed away the business that I spent much of my adult life establishing. He lives with his parents at 51, and isn't working. He doesn't provide child support. But the three of us are in far better shape that this poor boy.

Makes you think.

Constance