16 Year old daughter hates father
I believe that my 16 year old daughter would not shed a tear if I died tomorrow...
I believe that the problems really started several years ago when I had to move my family from Chicago to Florida for work. Since this move my daughter openly blamed me for taking her away from her friends - according to her "the only friends she will ever have".
My daughter is very much an introvert who rather than socializing spends all of her time playing online games with other kids. Typically she spends 6 hours a day online during the week and longer on weekends. My Wife and I have made several efforts to cut this back and always are encouraging her to get involved with "real" people with no success. She asserts that her only friends are her online friends.
I personally feel like my daughter has no respect for me whatsoever and it’s really frustrating because I honestly feel that I try to be the best father to her that I can. For the most part she gets everything she wants but cannot even respond to me with common courtesy.
Examples of issues include:
1) In the morning I am up before her. When I say "good morning" instead of getting a response - I am ignored.
2) Frequently I attempt to be involved in her life and ask her about school, her online games, etc. If I get an answer it’s a curt one or two word answer and I feel that I was wrong because I interrupted her.
3) Often when my Wife and I go somewhere - my daughter says "bye Mom" and doesn't acknowledge that I am a person too.
4) I make a point to do things that my daughter asks of me (always through her Mom as she will not talk to me) and never, ever get so much as a thank you.
I really want to have a better relationship with my daughter and know that my approach today is not working at all.
I am very proud of my daughter in many ways and often tell her. She has had straight As in school since 3rd grade and is very pretty.
Any comments or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
