SD is 15 and DH has had sole custody for almost 4 years now. When she first came to live with us I had a 9-5 Mon-Fri job. Due to stress, I left that job and have been working in retail for about 2 years. In the last 2 years SD's grades have dropped, she's not hanging out with her usual friends and we have busted her for getting tattooed, drinking, smoking pot and having sex. SD and I have been battling about everything.

OK, long story short, I LOVED my job but HATED the hours. I was getting home at 10:00 3-4 nights a week and sometimes working the entire weekend. I have been feeling guilty for the last 2 years and blaming myself for the changes SD has been going thru. So, last Friday I had an "interview" and was offered the job on the spot. I came home, we had a family meeting and then DH and I discussed it after SD left the room. I basically wanted everyone's input. DH and I decided that financially, it wasn't a major drop in pay and since we would now be working the same hours we could ride back and forth together about 3 days a week (DH has a Mon-Fri 9-5 type job). Saturday I put in my 2 week notice at my other job.

Since Friday night SD has been -------- I guess the word I am looking for is calm maybe? Saturday she called me at work to see if I had put in my 2 weeks yet and told me not to forget. Monday she called me at work before her softball game to chat before she had to go play. Yesterday she called me again before her game and then made her father text me after her game (we took her texting away from her). Last night she was waiting up for me to tell me about her game (she played AWESOME according to DH).

Of course she will NEVER admit that not having me home all the time has effected her, but she is completely different now that she knows I am taking another job........

Could this be a turn-around?