I sat down on the couch and let out a nervous breath. "What brings you in today," asked Jill? Well, I need to get a few things off my chest and I am hoping that you can help me. "That's what I'm here for, Lori," said Jill matter-of-factly. Okay, this is how it started...
My daughter, Jayme, has been out of control for awhile. Ever since her sister moved out she hasn't been the same. Allie went off to college and Jayme stepped right in as my biggest challenge.
I know she has been experimenting with drugs. I found some weed and a bowl in a drawer in her room. We talked about it. To me, that's not too big of a deal. I've smoked too. I've never claimed to be perfect, and I have always been open and honest with my girls. When it came to things like drinking, drugs, and sex I am open for discussion. My philosophy is that if I stay open with them they will be open with me. It would lead to a healthy relationship and I could support them instead of being someone they feared.
Anyway, she had been staying out late - later than I allow. Even though she is eighteen now, I still had rules. I talked to her about it, she apologized, but it continues to be a problem. I wait up because I am worried about her. I don't want anything bad to happen to her and at the same time I can't just sit up all night and do nothing. So, I started chatting online. It helps me pass the time and occupies my thoughts. I've come to enjoy it. It turned into something that I am not proud of; I'm ashamed.
"So, you're embarrassed about chatting online, then," Jill asked? It's not that at all. I am embarrassed about who I've been chatting with, the content of those chats, and the outcomes. Let me explain...
Jayme was out doing who knows what about two months ago. I was talking to a guy named Joe. I was in a local chat, so it didn't surprise me that he lived only a few miles away. We talked about all sorts of things including Jayme. I explained to him that I couldn't sleep knowing that she was out so late. He understood. For awhile we talked about his own kids and how he worries about them. His kids are younger, though, so it's not quite the same.
He was fascinated by Jayme and wanted to know all about her. It seemed innocent enough at first but then it took a sexual turn. I knew I should end the chat and move on, but part of me liked to talk about it. So we talked about sex. He talked about sex with his wife - which was no good by the way - and I shared some information about guys I've dated since my husband left me five years ago. We traded pictures of our kids and while my questions about his were rather innocuous, he was intent on talking about Jayme sexually.
Look, I knew she had been sexually active since she started high school. She had confessed to having relationships with three or four boys over the years but I had no interest in details. Since she turned eighteen, however, we did talk about details. More details than I'd like to admit, but it happened. Her boyfriend, Shawn, has spent the night at my house a few times and I know what went on. I know because I could hear them. I wasn't disgusted with them as I listened. I was disgusted because I wasn't disgusted. I know this makes little sense, but hear me out...