I am a 41 yr.old female with a bi-polar step daughter 5 1/2 yrs.named Amanda.Her birth mom tried to commit suicide while pregnant with Amanda.I was in a previous relationship with a man for 23 yrs.We got tired of the snow and skiing and spent many winters in Cozumel,Mx.I quit my business and opted for big time out.we worked scuba diving and in the boats.I have a family of friends there very close to my heart.I split up with my husband and later met Amandas daddy Jim. We have been together for 3 yrs and have been through a tremendous ordeal in order to get custody of Amanda almost 2 yrs ago.We had family therapy twice a week for a year and then decided to move to san diego.I am origonally from the Saan fernando valley area here.Jim has a great job with a company where he does sheet metal work.We were married on Dec 24 this past x-mas.Amanda was thrilled! she knows about her birth mom but only has bad memories of her. Amanda didn't even speak 2 yrs.ago.Now she is speaking beyond her level(kindergarten) reading,ambidextrious artistic and very intelligent.She is also stubborn,defiant, oppositional,must be center of attention throws huge fits has two distinct personalities and actually scares me at times. when she couldn't talk she would punch in the face trip and give a look to chill.the rest of the time on her terms ,she is bossy extremely loving will care for everyone around and happy.I am so frustrated with the daily episodes,the neighbors of course think you are horrible parents because they hear her tantrums.She will throw herself on the floor and bang her head or just flat out refuse to listen.She also could care less about her bad choice of behavior knowing full well that she is in control of these choices and knows the consequences.So what if she is grounded from play outside T.V,computer or her toys get thrown in the trash because she will clench her fist and face and refuse to help!!!!Thank-You so much for this web site I finally know I am not alone after all.Please feel free to E-mail.I have not been able to find a therapist since we moved familiar with child onset bi-polar that is able to take a new patient or costs less then 150. Hr.I can't even pay my rent on time .we live pay check to paycheck and used all our saveings to move.Jim has a difficult time dealing with this because at first he was elated to have his beautiful baby girl with him at last and he never could believe the things she would do.Finally through therapy he started to see the other side of Amanda.I see him look at her when she is in one of her moods and the pain and disbelief in his eyes is horrible.He is very patient with her but I cannot talk about any of it to him.He is so glad for me that I found your web site at last.I know he is afraid like myself, thinking how she can be in this much trouble in kindergarten,and what lies ahead for all of our future.

mom,wife (had own catering business 15 yrs)

Skiing,scuba diving,horses,hiking,camping,cooking,biking