[kakuehl]

Hi,
I've been thinking about you and your daughter and her family. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter has been told some negative stuff about you, especially by her mom. It may well be her mom's reality when she thinks of the "you" she knew 16 years ago. Truth has many facets. We bring our own emotions and experiences to any situation. I think it is hard sometimes for birthmoms to accept the fact that the ex has grown and matured over the years and isn't the same person who behaved in a particular way so many years ago.

There are definitely some positives in your situation. You daughter does seem to have some interest in you and she knows where to find you (another reason to keep your FB account open.) 16 is such a difficult age for kids: they think they are adults even though they aren't. They are pulling away from parents and often parents are over-protective and pull back too hard. It's hard to set boundaries for teens: they need them and want they, but they fight them all the way!

I assume by thinking downstream you are looking to the future which will come in due time. Let this float for the time being and spend your effort on the parts of your life you can effect!