Topic : 04/04 Ask Dr. Phil about Parenting

When I saw this show, I thought that this is almost exactly how it is with my 13yr old step daughter.  She lives with her mom and step-dad (they are going through a divorce).  I have written in to the Dr Phil show 2 times for help.  Me and her Dad are so afraid of her turning down the wrong path.  She lives in California and we live in Illinois.  Of course, her mom has custody and her dad has visitation.  He has tried talking to her mom about their daughter's grades, lack of interest in school, her having boyfriends, and her mom living out her own agenda, but her mom has no interest in trying to make changes.  My husband has tried talking with her teachers and they all say the same thing.  The parent needs to make her accountable on a daily basis and be more involved.

My biggest questions are: How do we make a difference from so far away and being the non-custodial parent?  How can we get her mom to realize the mistakes she is making with her daughter?

I know I am doing something right.  My two teenage boys ( 17 & 15)  are respectful , caring and well behaved.  My husband & I  have tried to role model all the qualities I believe to be important in an individual, and they seem to be catching on. My 17 year old will be graduating in 2009, and we are very proud of who he has become. He chose to be the person he is today by making choices about who his friends would be and how he was going to act. Yes we guided him by parenting the best we knew how and respecting him as we continue to do with our 15 yr. old. I know there are parents who feel like they are fighting a loosing battle when it comes to their teenagers, which leads me to believe,and feel good about, that I am in fact doing something right!