[DianeS]

That looks just as bad in print as I thought it would, but it helps to say it.

I'm talking about the child I'm working with as a respite provider and informal "big sister". She has RAD. I have her twice a month for 3-6 hours. This weekend was our 5th visit, and I already don't like her!

I have a working knowledge of RAD and what it entails, and I voluteered to do this because the girl's parents needed a break so badly. But I was hoping for a little longer of a "honeymoon"!

She's already being bratty to me, and charming strangers, and chattering nonsense, and triangulating to put me in a bad position.

The latest dustup was over a drink of water. She left her water in the car. Then she put me in a position where I couldn't leave her to go get her water bottle, but she wouldn't cooperate until she got her water. (And I certainly wouldn't trust her with my car keys to get it herself!) And then she told everyone I'd refused to let her drink anything the whole time.

I KNOW that this issue is little. Mostly because all the adults involved know not to believe her. Our jaws ache from smiling and saying "oh, really? And what did you do to create that situation?"

I can't even imagine spending a whole day with her, let alone living with a child like her.

*Sigh* But I'll grit my teeth and see her again next weekend. I'm committed for a while longer, although I can quit if she hits me. I think I'll have to add "or until she lies about me to a stranger" to that list, as I have no wish to have an allegation made against me in the hearing of anyone who might believe her.

I feel better for having written that out. Thanks for reading.