I am married and have one daughter (10) with my Husband and two step daughters (13 & 19). My husband has joint legal custody with visitation. We live quite a distance from the custodial Mother so the visitation is as follows: 10 days at winter break and the entire month of July in the summer. Our thirteen year old arrived on the first and was initially upset (homesick) which is to be expected. After an hour or so, she was fine, laughing and playing with her sister. Then, the phone calls started. Her Mother and older sister started calling her about every hour. Every time she got off the phone she was very upset again. Crying and would go lay down on her bed. We tried to cheer her up, but she was not responsive. After a day and a half of this she came to her father and asked if she could go home. He asked her why she wanted to go home and she said she didn't know, she just wanted to go home. She is very emotional, and we hardly want to keep her at our house if she is miserable here. But, it is not until she talks with her Mom that she is so upset. I don't think we can keep her from speaking with her mother. I don't want her to feel prisoner. The relationship between my husband and his ex is not one where they can sit and talk these things out. I know this would be the best thing for our daughter if possible but it is not the situation. I realize legally she is ordered to stay the entire month of July. However, if she is so unhappy, even if it is because her mom wont leave her alone long enough to make the transition, is it worth it to make her stay? Help. I am not sure what we should do and don't want to make any mistakes when it comes to her emotional state.