Actually, things have gotten better for us. Last summer she attended a camp called SuperCamp because her best friend went the year before and really improved her grades and her self confidence. SuperCamp is a 10 day program where they teach wonderful life skills as well as study skills. She went more for the social aspect, I guess her friend told her about some boys that would be there :o) but she came home really excited about starting school this fall. I have to say, that was not a surprise to me, but what shocked me was that she sat me down and asked about what my relationship with my mother was like. She explained that at SuperCamp they had an entire evening devoted to understanding their parents perspectives and she told me she had made a commitment to her friends there that she would ask me about my teenage years to better understand me. It has led to wonderful conversations and that quality time we were really missing. She said they talked about imagining their parents just starting out, so excited to have a baby, having a very close relationship where that child needs them, and then all of a sudden they become, as you said “a major pain in the rear for them.” Her willingness to look through my eyes, and mine through hers has really made a huge difference in our relationship. By no means is the struggle over, but such are the teenage years!