have a better relationship with my daughter

I want to not only be my daughter’s mother, but be her friend. We have a on again off again relationship that is more off than on. Right now it is off. Hopefully it will be back on next month at her College Graduation.

I have a daughter that is 9 and has the mouth of a 25 year old living on her own, paying her own bills and doesn’t have a care in the world. At least that’s her attitude. She and I have gotten stuck in this relationship where we are constantly bickering back and forth about something. Clothes, hair, when she should shower, cleaning her room, leaving stuff laying around-the same old sh_ _ that bug us mom’s and we have to speak to our children about it. I would love any advice anyone could give me.

I must be doing something wrong.

Today, I took my daughter to what I thought would be an educational experience, “Hip Hop Detoxx”. I was going to show her that Hip Hop , in her world as a teen, was negative. But what ended up happening was I , no we, got into the seminar so tough that we are going next week. We even put our names down to volunteer our time to help the cause. We enjoyed something together, while we were together. This is a start.

I have a 13 year old daughter going on 25!! I know, I need to start my prozac prescription soon so that I dont kill her or she wont want to kill me. LOL.. I am trying to give her the space to spread her wings and be who she wants to be within reason. She has been raised in a good home with parents and siblings who love her. Right now she seems to be more interested in things outside of the home vs what is going on with relationships inside the house. I am trying everything I know to get her to talk to me whether it be verbal or in e-mail.

Wow, what a challenge esp. as a single dad. Great girl, but lots of influences and at risk kids around her.