Focus, Focus, Focus...Hmmm, Do I Smell Chicken?

Do you think there's such a thing as adult-onset ADD? I think I have it. There are soooo many things that I would rather do than summarize and analyze "Race, Rape, and Radicalism: The Case of the Martinsville Seven, 1949-1951." I'm trying so hard to focus as I have a 4 page paper due tomorrow. I've read...oh..2 of 30 pages of the article.

My mom always says, "It will all come out in the wash." She's right. Ciera is home with me this weekend after all and says she's never going back to her father's house again. I'm in the midst of a mom-moral dilemma. Ciera received numerous birthday card wishes with cash included. There was approximately $70. Her stepmother confiscated the $25 check from Ciera's great grandmother and said it would be used to reimburse Jeremy and herself for the co-pay on Avery's staples. (They didn't even pay their full portion of that.) The step-mother then informed Ciera that she was not allowed to keep the rest of the money (cash) to bring home. She must spend it while in their home and all items purchased and not consumed would remain there. My daughter with her new 12-year-old independence was hearing none of that. She secretly placed the money in her jacket pocket and headed out to the soccer game with the rest of the family. Once there, she ran into my sister and decided that she would like to go spend the rest of the day with her. After a phone call to me to acquire permission, she went back to the van to gather her personal effects. There she finds her step-mother "watching the game" from the van. At this point the step-mother sees the cash in question peeking out of Ciera's pocket and demands possession of it. The following conversation ensues:

"Ciera, give me that money."

"No."

"Ciera, I said give me the money now."

"No, it's mine."

"I don't care if it's yours, give it to me now!"

"Nope. Bye." (Door closes...Ciera runs off to watch her cousin's game.)

This is of course followed by the step-mother exiting said van to inform father of dastardly behavior. Father waits for younger daughter's game to be over and approaches oldest daughter with the following conversation:

(Grabs Ciera's arm) "Hand it over!"

"I don't have it." (Ciera has solicited Annie's assistance in stashing the cash)

"Where is it?"

"It's mine."

"Well, you flat out told your step-mother 'No'."

"Well, it's my money."

"Fine. I'll remember this. Avery, give me a kiss."

Lots of drama for a little bit of birthday money. I know that I can't encourage her to defy her stepmother. I know I should say she's wrong. But...damn...how much control does one grown woman really need??? I've avoided the dilemma thus far by just not saying anything. Daughter #2 did call to tell me that her father said he WILL be spanking Ciera next time he sees her. (I hope she whips his ass!)