Shane you really a great guy for taking on such a challenging mission. My first thought was pizza but I see that you have all ready had that so how about spaghetti or mac & cheese.The other thing would be burgers or dogs with some homemade french fries and let her help with the prep. No matter what it will be a slow process till she starts opening up and trusting you with her likes and dislikes.

Thanks guys. Said it before Jim, I ain't nothing special. My wife and I want a family and these kids need homes. It's a win for everyone. I think the fish or hamburger or hotdogs is a great idea. My wife is Italian so she makes her spaghetti from scratch and won't eat out of a jar. But it's tasty that way. I think as she opens up we will find out more and more what she likes. I don't think you can go wrong with some of the classics though. Thanks guys.

Jim, we'll have to get out with you and Lisa again this year. Had a blast at slabfest, don't think I got to talk to you much but had a good converstation with Lisa.

I know my kid loves any pasta but I bet you're sitting down to eat right about now anyway. Let us know how everything goes Shane!

mac and cheese with hotdogs please. that my family fav.

I always like that when I would come for lunch and that is what Lisa was serving the daycare kids and she made a big enough batch that I would get some.

That is a good one. My wife brought home some broasted chicken and we made mashed potatoes and gravy and biscuits to go with it. Seemed to go over fine. But we gotta have the Hotdogs and Mac and Cheese, that's one of my favorites as well.

She was chattin' on the phone and playing on the PC last night. Kinda weird to be getting phone calls like that now but I guess at 11 is when that kinda starts. I'm just not used to it, but she's been a great kid so far.

Shane I think you can kiss that phone goodbye with a girl just coming into her teens and from now on you will have to keep your cell on 24/7. It is good thing that she feels comfortable enough to be on the phone but I am sure she is a nervous around the new setting and this is her way of adjusting.As long as there is no major conflicts it is all good

Ohhhhh that sounds so yummy!!!!! We had ham steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans the other night. My boys loved it! One of their favorite meals.

Peachy I used to make that all the time

OK, so she moved in Friday and things are going OK. She keeps to herself a lot, which I'm not a fan of, but it's so new to her. I'm going from a three year old to eleven and learning as I go, it's a huge step. Yesterday I got home from fishing and she was on the computer, when I walked in the door she quick shut her IE and opened a new one so I knew something was up. Later I went to the history folder and looked at Saturday's history. Lets just say she was at sites that would make a grown man (namely me) want to hurl. I locked down the PC so she can't get to anything unless one of us authorize it first. I've been looking at Parental Control software and some are pretty cool where they will record all keystrokes and we can look at her chats, emails and what she's doing online. Does anyone have any experience with these programs and what's a good one to get? What do other parents do?

We are going to limit her online time to two hours a day on weekends and one hour on the weekday but she's banned from it for now. Also doing the same with talking on the phone. Is this about right? Just looking for some help from other parents.

I would be a little careful about reading her email and stuff or letting her know about it. She may feel your invading her privacy (I know at 11 you feel she shouldnt have any) Just a battle I went thru with my daughter now 20 yrs old. Once I started respecting her privacy (many many battles later) she lightened up a bit. I guess you can say your walking on shaky grounds right now. little girls are very touchy and tempermental. I guess what I am really trying to say is in your situation anything you do right now, she is going to hate, and probably get really mad at you

Altho limiting her time online and on the phone I totally agree with .

I hear you and agree with you. She needs some privacy, but the sites she was on are something an eleven year old should never be at. She has rights and privacy but with me, when you take advantage of that, I pull back the reins a little.

I dont blame you. I'm sure I know the website she was at. Check out cybernanny.com

Great time to sit down and lay out some boundaries and ground rules. She may have never had it laid out for her that there are some things that are not ok. I am guessing that she will be testing you out to see what she can get away with. As long as you and your wife are on the same page with rules, and are consistant about them, it should get better.

It is also important to show her that even though she has done something you don't approve of, you still love her.

Holy cats, I sure wish DeeDee or fishinchicks had been my mom!! Good advice gals!