I was thinking of this all night. I agree with Hunter, you really can't "fix" anything in a week. About the boredom stuff. Who know what she's going through but I would take a page from "How to talk so kids will listen, how to listen so kids will talk" When she says she is bored try acknowledging that feeling. Maybe something lie this. " I'm bored" " Hmmm, it sounds like this isn't too interesting to you." Then maybe follow up with "What would be interesting to you?" Then you could just gently change subjects or maybe some of the times you could acknowledge that " oh yeah doing that would be really fun, I could see why you'd like that. That's not something we can do today but what a great idea!" I don't personally always manage to talk to my kids in this way, I'm often much more strict or firm. But I find sometimes when things just seem a little off. Lots of whining, or we've been on the go too much, their little hearts really respond to these kinds of conversations. Remember what a blessing it is for that mom to know that her daughter is being cared for and loved. If you have the time and energy it's possible once they start to pull it together they made need more of your support. One last thing. At our house any time the kids would have to go to someone's house chances are, they won't have socks and if they do, I'm sure they won't be matching! ;) Good Luck!