i have a 9 year old daughter, who has been misbehaving on a daily basis in school and at home. i asked her to write down why she is doing what she is doing. She writes, she does these things because she misses her dad, i don't believe it. Her father got in trouble and now he is serving a 15 year for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. so now she sees her father in prison. I noticed that each time she knows she's going to see him, i get a call from the school. I am so drained and don't know what to do. any and all advice is needed.

Does she write to him? Does he write to her... if so tell him to write to her all the positive things she needs to hear from her dad ( do good in school, be good, listen to mom...) maybe getting it in writing and it is sent just for her (her own mail) might make her feel important.

I have a friend that is in prison and he tells his boys to always do good in school and to behave because he doesn't want them to get in trouble like he did and end up in there. He said that once he did this a while and told them how important grades and listening to their mom and teachers they started acting better.

It is very hard on kids, she really might be having a hard time with the dad thing at that age. Other girls could be teasing her, or it's the time of year when they have father daughter dances so it could be affecting her emotionaly a lot more than you might think.

Does she go to a councellor? I did when my mom was traveling a lot when I was about that age and it helped me to have someone I wasn't afraid to talk to that wouldn't ground me or yell at me...

Good Luck, I am dealing with a very mouthy 14yo boy that knows it all and we are just old and dumb. :)

I dont think Kristhal could of said it any better. She might be missing her dad alot.Was she a daddy's girl?I like the whole idea about them writing each other.Maybe dad can get through to her.Good luck hope things get better soon