Lulu - glad things are starting to feel settled. I know what you mean about her mum... talk about being in a rock and hard place.
Someone that has known my neice all her life, and cares about her a great deal, had lunch with us before he went back to sea on monday. As he left he said to me, please let me know how I can help finacially - with school uniforms books etc. It meant so much to me - she isn't even related to him!!! Just the offer of assistance was a random act of kindness. I am receiving FTB for her now, and it was backdated to when she arrived - so you should get that too. One other thing don't forget about medicare card. I have to organise through child safety for them to provide me with a letter so I can get one for my neice. She is now on my health care card, which is good.
We have had one exchange of words - because I wouldn't allow her to go out with the person mentioned above with out my supervision. Initially her response was typical teenage girl response - "well I may as well go back and live with mum - and put up with all the men in the house, and everything else, at least she will let me go and see him. and no one wants me here anyway!" tears and a little attitude. I gently said to her "that I'm sorry that you feel that way L - but you are here at least until the 22 Jan, so these are my rules" I went on to explain to her also that because child safety have placed her in my care, that anyone she has anything to do with her unsupervised by me, needs to be approved by them. It ended up being a great opportunity for everyone to get stuff off their chest - Laura and nathan vented as well and clear the air. L went and laid down and had a cry. Nathan and aston were playing and I went and told her. she declined to join in to begin with then went and got up washed her face, and joined in. I was very proud of her, as she managed her behaviour, and made different choices to what she would have if she was with her mother. I do things very very different, and the relief she feels when there are boundaries, rules and routine put in place is physically visible.
sorry to hijack your thread. just wanted to share.
btw dont be surprised if your DD throws a wobbly - and throws things at you like "you make as well swap me - she is a better daughter, big sister etc etc etc!" Laura did - on Christmas eve. But we got through it. Ohhh its a journey. thats for sure.