You know, I wanted to talk this out on LJ because I hoped I could get some insight, maybe from someone out there who'd experienced something similar. So your response really helps. :-)

The whole prospect about crazy "acting out" behavior in high school (like your friend Mary did) is exactly the kind of thing I worry about. I've already told Char that she's not to ever go over to her frind's house ("apartment", they call it), so there's that, but I shudder to think of the trouble an unsupervised girl who's starved for attention can get herself into with only a minimal effort. That stuff has a way of causing a ripple effect and I don't want Char to get any ideas. They're both cute girls who already get too much attention from boys...it's a recipe for disaster.

But, since I can control the environment in my own home, I'll do what I can to help her out here. I think just having a stable environment like ours as a haven will have a good effect on her. Holy crap...I'm a role model! *freaked at the irony of it all*