Life SUX! Need to vent :(
Unfurtunately, she doesn't live with us (my wife and myself), but lives with her F**ked up mother and emotionally disturbed half brother who is 11.
Now while I've never been happy with the situation, I've accepted the reality of it, even though deep down I've known that it was a very unhealthy environment for her to be in.
And to that end, both my wife Moira and myself have tried giving our daughter all the love and nurturing and support that we could. All the time knowing it was nowhere near enough, but we were (and still are) consistant.
Everything was going ok (under these circumstances) up until a few weeks ago when her behaviour took a radical turn for the worse, and she went from being a relatively happy and bright little girl to a very defiant, angry and scared little girl, and a girl I almost didn't recognise.
Add to that, she was only recently out of night nappies and we had been praising and encouraging her in this, she'd have consistant dry beds etc...
But then when she was up with us recently (we have her with us every 2nd weekend) she was a very differnt girl, and had completely soaked beds at least twice a night

Now while neither of us made a big thing about this in front of Emily, we were concerned to say the least.
If it was only that, I'd be concerned, but not too worried.
But she also started groping my wife's breasts in a very unhealthy way as well as my stepdaughter's (she's 17), and again, if she'd been a couple of years younger I wouldn't be TOO concerned, but she's 4 1/2 and highly intelligent.
She has also told Moira (when she felt safe enough to do so) that her brother bullys her (no surprise to me) and that her mother yells and screams at her and she gets scared (also no surprise to me).
After she'd told us that I saw red as you can probably imagine, but managed to pull myself in and spoke to her mother about this.
She said she'd talk to Emily's brother about it.
But if anything, it's gotten worse
About the boy: as I said, he's 11. He has ADHD as well as other emothional problems. I've never felt very comfortable around the boy, but just told myself that he wouldn't hurt his sister, but whenever he'd hug her I'd get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. But with nothing concrete to base it on I'd say nothing for fear of losing my daughter.
As for the mother, to say she's screwd up emotionally would be an understatement.
She's also very cunning and knows how to use the system very well
Case in point: the brother's father has been battling this woman for custody of the boy for 9 years.
Result: She broke him emotionally and he and his wife left town.
The best thing for the boy would be to live with his Dad and his step mum who would get him the help he desparately needs, though I suspect he maybe already beyond that.
Do I think that he's been touching Emily inapproprately? You bet I do!
Fortunately for us, my wife has a way with Emily and can get her to open up to her in a very healthy and safe way, and it is at the times when they are bonding and playing princess magic games (after all, what 4 1/2 year old girl doesn't believe in magic?
)that Emily feels safe enough to confide in her about the things that are upsetting her.
We will be having her with us next weekend and we are going to try (very carefully and without any real prompting) to find out from her whether her brother has indeed been touching her in places he shouldn't be.
And if it turns out to be true (and believe me, I fervently hope it isn't), my 1st call will be to the police, and the 2nd call will be to the child welfare agency that deals in cases such as this.
Said agency already have this woman in their sights I might add, but they have never been able to catch her out
So if anyone has any word of wisdom, they would be much appreciated.
Man life SUX!