Oh Kim, I had no idea things were like this with Amy Beth. I'm so sorry you have to go through all this.

However, I have to agree with Kuhio, and you also have to take my advice with a grain of salt since I, too, have never had a child of my own. It is so tough to see your child having a difficult time and it's so much easier for you to bail them out. But that has to stop somewhere/sometime. I was quite the rebel in my youth and I know I broke my mom's heart more than once. She let me know her and my dad would be there if I needed them, but she also let me know that I had to do this on my own and learn my own lessons - life wise and financial wise.

I know you're not over flowing with money to be helping her with all her bills, so let her know that you will help, but she has to take responsibility herself. For instance, do not help with traffic fines or anything like that. If she gets pulled over for not having a license, let her deal with all the consequences, even if that means sitting in jail overnight. If she spends money foolishly on clothes and silly things, do not help her with that. Help with things like food for Jenna and household expense type things - necessities - but also let her know that you are not going to be paying these in full and she can't blow all her money on partying and such and neglect her household bills.

Maybe these last three days have taught her a little, and hopefully she will really give herself and Chad a chance. Continue to be there to support her, but also let her know you're not going to let her walk all over you. And like Kuhio says, don't do everything in your power to protect Jenna. If Amy Beth sees that she is hurting her daughter, that might just be the biggest incentive in the world for her to get her act together - although it will be the hardest thing in the world for you to stand back and watch. She has to fall and pick herself up on her own before the learning will really begin.

Good luck, sweetie, and big {{{hugs}}} to help you get through all this.