Topic : 08/02 "I Love Myself!"

Today's show really surprised me.  Shannon's actions were not good but in my opinion she is reaching out for attention from her Dad.  Does her Dad have any interactions with her?  Everything that I saw from him was "his wife said this" and "his wife said that" (both deceases wife and current wife).  He is the father.... brought them into this world....finacially provides for his family..... But what about emotional support?  Has he ever spent one on one time with her?  Sat down and talked to her about her feelings?  And I can not believe he would sit there and let his current wife say the things she said about Shannon and have such a smug look on her face.  It was just unreal to me.  But, I guess I was lucky..... I had a wonderful father that I could talk to about anything!  I wonder when the last time Shannon's dad actually had a "daddy/daughter" day or got involved in something that she had interest in.  I really believe counseling between them will help as long as he does not go back and tell the wife everything and have her cloud his mind.  

i can really relate to the girl.   i think that their is a lot behind the family.  i think when i was her age,  faimly, extended and all would have described me as a narcassist.    

life isn't always fair.  and i beleive she hasn't been treated fairly by her faimly.  also, that her actions, yes rude and hard to hear, are simply self defence mechanisms. 

growing up i was beaten every day by my mother.  at the age of 15 she died from cancer... i am still putting my life together.  im moving at the end of the month to attend a long term residental program for my psychological and addictive problems. 

if her family are willing to hear the truth about their influence on her life and truly appologise without expecting her to, then i think this girl can really have a chance. 

maybe im talking about myself. 

Boy, I was so upset listening to this show today.  The parents just don't see how their behavior has any impact on Shannon.   They are blaming her for everything.  Wake up Dad.  Your new wife has convinced you that it is all Shannon's fault and you are buying it hook, line and sinker.    I had 2 children who acted out during my  divorce when they were teenagers.  I did not move in a replacement parent, lie to them about vacation, drop them off in a school that is later shut down for abuse, not talk to them for a year (oh yeah, that's the school's fault???), give away their room and possessions (because a child from outside their family had a crisis...Shannon losing her mother and getting a new stepmother was not a crisis??), etc.   No, I was not manipulated by Shannon.  I had teenagers who tried manipulation.   

Rewarding positive behavior will fade the negative behavior every time.   DAD:  Wake up!!  Stepmom: Wake up!!  You are both so busy blaming this girl, you are in denial!  She needs help and lots of encouragement and love.   Yes, teenagers can be very difficult.  BUt you are the parents.  Shannon has had to deal with enough.  Please help her and you will help yourselves too.  The family will heal and have much better times.   

Killer whales (who are certainly worse behaved than Shannon) are trained via positive reenforcement to do unbelieveable things.   Teenagers respond to positive behaviors much better than killer whales.    Please be glad that Shannon has not turned to drugs or worse.   Her behavior is a cry for help.  Please give it lovingly to her.  

I am a Mother and a Step Mother....OK  Been there.... Shannon you are not a bad person!!! I hope your Family reads this!!! they are as much to blame as anyone No1 your Father is so far in denial about what he has do its just crazy !!!!!  

 I love how he blames your dead Mother for sending you away...she can't speak for herself now....your father shipped you...PERIOD...he is where you should start....and he let this women into your life YOU were there first and you should have been taken care of and love ....made to feel secure and safe before he brought someone else into your lives he is the selfish one...now your stepmother She is so {smug} sitting there with that look on her face...I wanted to throw cold water on her to get to wake up and smell the detest of you on her face....LADY YOU need help!!!!!.....she was a child thrown out of her safety zone buy another women....YOU then kicked to the curb like trash....I don't care how nice that school was ...it was not her home....and you let your Daughter move into her ROOM....Oh My LORD.....I would have been sick too I can't believe you are so blind not to see the lack of love and REAL ATTENTION she didn't get is why she is screaming for attention...I would be too!!!!  Between the two of you ....this YOUNG ADULT.....is damaged inside  from no other place BUT first DAD then Step mom...you say well what about what she was doing before when she was little....she was being a Jealous sibling she needed to feel like she still belonged after her sister was born.....a new baby at 4 and she then is no longer the center of attention.....I wonder why she acted out....LOL....I do pray you ALL get help and stand up and own your OWN PART OF THIS!!!!!.......  

Annette mother of 3....26 25 21....step mother of 2 30 & 26.....Thank you......