I separated from my ex-wife 4 years ago. We have three children aged 7 (b), 11 (g) and 13 (b) who split their time equally between us – I still live in the family home. My ex-wife lives just a couple of miles away. We’ve both since re-married and had children with our new partners. My ex-wife has 3.5 year old and 1.5 year old daughters and I now have a 2 month old daughter. I would say my relationship with my ex-wife is amicable. We communicate, go to school events together etc. I would say we have slightly different parenting styles – I focus on healthy eating, country walks, less mobile phone time . My ex-wife less so!
About a month ago my daughter (aged 11) decided she didn’t want to live at home with me anymore. She can’t really communicate why. I suspect it’s a combination of many things – new baby sister at home, pre teenage hormones, reaction to a home with slightly more ‘rules’ than she’d like and her stubborn-ness.
I’ve tried to stay calm and logical about it all and try to work through it by talking to her and seeing her as much as possible but there doesn’t seem to be any progress being made. I’ve asked her to come back for just an afternoon or a day but she won’t commit. It’s really hard to deal with. It’s upsetting to think she doesn’t want to spend time at home with me, her new sister and brothers. I’m worried that this will be it now and perhaps she'll decide never to live with me again. I know she can’t be forced to but I don’t feel like she emotionally mature enough to decide at this age where she should live.
Any advice from parents that have been through this? Is this really it now? What should I do?
Thanks in advance