I'm losing my mind......., I need advice

[leahsmom]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have a 13 year old daughter that is about to drive me crazy. Leah is 13, we are african american, and she goes to a school that is 85% white. It is a very good school, and that's one of th reasons I took her there. The problem is that she has made friends with a group of children who are afr. amer and they are the worst children that I have ever seen . My mom and I have talked to her about being judged by who you're associated with, but she is drawn to the children who are like her. Also she has a problem with "backtalk", it has landed her a 1 day suspension, what can I do?

[gr33n3y3z]

My 15 year old daughter Erin
She likes to hang out with Skater kids and BMX racing kids and the sort. Not that they are bad kids or that anything wrong with them but they do get bad Reps. bc of how they dress and look. I just told her hey its your desisson of who you hang out with BUT You are never to disrespectful to anyone.

[Alice]

Can you point her towards extra-curricular activities that involve kids who are more academically minded? Talk to her guidance counselor. Are her grades good enough for National Honor Society next year? They have to do some community service, so those are the kids you want her with. And, though I coached Debate for 20 years, I'm not necessarily suggesting she go for that, but there are probably lots of clubs/activities she could join: yearbook, newspaper, student council, sports etc. All of these will be looking NOW to get settled for next year, so this is the time she should be approaching the moderators about joining, to get a jump on the rest of next year's sophomore class.