Hi, New here, but I can relate to this situation. If we as PARENTS dont teach our kids how to function in society, they will be lost. For me, its my beliefs, principles, and what I was taught by my parents. Dont get me wrong,my parents werent perfect. Very strict in fact. I DO beleive in spankings, when appropriate. I beleive in respect, and crime and punishment. I beleive in chores, and restricting activities until AFTER the duties are completed. I know that kids need time to play and have fun, but doesnt the parents rule the house? So why is it that these points cause me to be here? How much time do you have? anyway, didnt mean to get off topic. My SD has lots of interests, and activities, all of which are school activities, save one. My thought is that if we let them do other things, they should earn the right to do so. and we as parents should support them and really help then get involved,"get thier hands dirty" if you will. Hint- thats some of the problems here. I'm in a situation, where the mom was basically controlled, abused, and the Bio dad/ex never gave one dime in support. I think that caised a deep rooted money issue for my wife. She has had to work 40 plus hours a week, and try to go to college.the kid did everything alone, until mom got home. now kid is 15 and My advice, suggestions, telling kid or trying to show her how to do things the right way/bette ways, is met with resentment and smark alekiness, backtalk, refusal. In turn it results in a shouting match with the SD, and then she turns to mom to fix it, and we all know where that ends up. Slowly things have been deteriorating. No conversation, no hello hunny, or kisses when she gets home. Generally I am on the road working, and when there is a layoff,(2 months this time) it makes another issue come up. MONEY/BILLS. she claims to be tired, which i can understand from workin all day, I dont expect her to do cleaning or dinner, I do that when I'm home. I DO expect people to pick up after themselves, and respect the cleaning that I have done. I do the Laundry, but I dont put them away,( thats thier job). when there is a task to do, lets go do it and get it done and go on to the next one.OK, next problem, lack of sex, twice a week is not enough ( for me anyway) but I can agree to other posts where its not the SEX. Its the connection, the showing that you Love someone, the touching, closeness, warmth, the sensuality of a man and a woman lying together in THEIR world, (ie bed) even if its just holding eachother close, or Spooning. Its the touch of a woman that man misses. I feel like a outcast, and unsatisfied. alot of issues to talk about,, more later.