MovieChat Forums > Teen Mom 3 (2013) Discussion > No wonder Devoin is never around...

No wonder Devoin is never around...

posted 10 years ago by hello_omgee
33 replies | jump to latest

Those three are ridiculous! I can understand why Briana gets frustrated because he hasn't seem to do anything but still! Let the man talk without interrupting him and screaming and insulting him. Briana and her family come off as obnoxious, rude and overdramatic. Not in general of course but when it comes to Devoin. They need to stop acting like a bunch of banshees. They are annoying and just egg Briana on.

Oh, and I also liked when Brittany stated that compared to others in Briana's situation, that she has it easy. Ain't that the truth! Yes, Devoin may not be involved but at least Briana has her mom and sister to help.

[–] FletcherofLocksley 10 years ago

I see where you're coming from, but at the same time...Devoin is full of crap!

I don't think it's healthy that Briana is being raised in an "all men are bad" environment, but Devoin is not a saint. Nova has been in this world for a year, and Devoin has not tried to see her. He has not helped out. He even said he is not positive she is his.

If his parents really want to see the child, then his parents should be involved in his life, too. Where were they when he went to court?

Devoin needs to realize that he needs to takes steps in the right direction. Briana isn't going to let him take Nova to his house if he has no idea what to do.

Geronimo

[–] BareMinimum 10 years ago

Briana isn't going to let him take Nova to his house if he has no idea what to do.

Devoin was set up to fail when he watched Nova. We learned on the reunion special that they didn't share with him that Nova was sick. What else didn't they tell him? If she was hungry? If she was tired? Where a change of clothes are? Tricks to get her to calm down? My wife and I have a newborn at home. Whenever one of us relieves the other of parenting duties, we're debriefed. "He just ate and is tired, but he won't sleep. He hasn't slept much at all today, so he's over-tired. Try the Sound Sleeper app on the iPad - I didn't have time." Stuff like that. They wanted him to fail so they could use it as justification to not let him be a parent to Nova.

It's weird to see those three crazy women literally fighting Devoin off when all the other moms on this show (and other seasons) are desperate to have fathers of their children hang around. Briana started putting up a wall before Nova ever arrived when she left him off the birth certificate. It sounds like she's getting what she asked for, but complaining about it incessantly and, at times, hysterically.

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

Devoin was set up to fail when he watched Nova. We learned on the reunion special that they didn't share with him that Nova was sick. What else didn't they tell him? If she was hungry? If she was tired? Where a change of clothes are? Tricks to get her to calm down?

I completely get what you're saying here, but had Devoin been around from the beginning, he would have been well-versed in what to do and how to properly care for his infant daughter. He just jumped right in after months, but he should have been taking care of his responsibilities from the beginning, instead of running off to play basketball with his friends. Regardless of illness, hunger, or drowsiness, it seems almost certain he would have failed no matter what, as he doesn't even know his own baby, which was his own choice.

It's weird to see those three crazy women literally fighting Devoin off when all the other moms on this show (and other seasons) are desperate to have fathers of their children hang around.

From what I can tell, Briana started fighting him off when he began being wishy-washy with his behavior. The second he started coming to see Nova in odd intervals, it seemed like Briana put a protective wall up because she knows how much it hurt her to have a father who constantly walked in and out of her life. Devoin either needs to be there all of the time, or none of the time. He can't have it both ways.

Briana started putting up a wall before Nova ever arrived when she left him off the birth certificate.

This was a stupid move on Briana's part for many reasons, mostly because it makes it difficult for her to get child support out of him without having established paternity. That being said, it shouldn't have affected whether or not Devoin put in an effort to see his daughter, and he hasn't even been over to Briana's house to give parenting a real try. He comes and sits for a few minutes, holds Nova's a little while, and then leaves like it's nothing. That kind of behavior isn't conducive to building a relationship, and it sort of makes me wonder if Briana saw that coming and that's why she didn't want him on the birth certificate. Perhaps she should have considered that before she reproduced with a deadbeat, I guess.

[–] BareMinimum 10 years ago

Had Devoin been around from the beginning, he would have been well-versed in what to do and how to properly care for his infant daughter.

You make it sound like there's an open-door policy there and he can come and go as he pleases. Devoin is clearly not welcome in that house. There is a very real chance that he will be physically assaulted when he visits.

Regardless of illness, hunger, or drowsiness, it seems almost certain he would have failed no matter what, as he doesn't even know his own baby, which was his own choice.

You're probably right. The gentle, nurturing thing isn't something that comes naturally to men. It takes time and practice. They could have prepped him a little and still got their desired result. What they did instead was to help him make a fool of himself. It was unnecessary, underhanded, and highlights the lack of maturity in that household. If he is making the effort, then be an adult and encourage it so that it happens more often.

From what I can tell, Briana started fighting him off when he began being wishy-washy with his behavior. The second he started coming to see Nova in odd intervals, it seemed like Briana put a protective wall up because she knows how much it hurt her to have a father who constantly walked in and out of her life.

Gotta disagree again. When you refuse to acknowledge the man as the father of the child on the birth certificate, you are clearly distancing yourself and sending a very clear message: you don't want him around. From what we've seen, Briana makes no effort to take Nova to Devoin. She never offers to meet on neutral ground where Devoin won't have a lamp thrown at his head. She never says, "My batsh-t crazy mom won't be here tonight if you want to see Nova."

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

You make it sound like there's an open-door policy there and he can come and go as he pleases.

I'm just basing that comment off of what Briana has said to Devoin on the show. She has told him multiple times that he only needs to call her ahead of time and that she will allow him to see his daughter. I can understand how the tense environment would keep him away, though, and that's why I think Roxanne and Brittany need to back the hell off. They're encroaching on territory they have no business being on. It's one thing to be protective, but they're just plain overbearing, and it hinders Briana a lot.

It was unnecessary, underhanded, and highlights the lack of maturity in that household. If he is making the effort, then be an adult and encourage it so that it happens more often.

Wasn't he the one who wanted to try being alone with Nova, though? Maybe not. I can't exactly remember how it played out in the episode, but, yeah, he could definitely benefit from having Briana around for the first few times he cares for Nova. Then he could try again by himself and see how it goes. I just can't stand that he only goes around when it's convenient for him, instead of planning out regular visits. I really think he could, if only he would just communicate with Briana.

When you refuse to acknowledge the man as the father of the child on the birth certificate, you are clearly distancing yourself and sending a very clear message: you don't want him around.

She only left his name off after he chose to go and play basketball while she was in labor. He was the one who distanced himself, instead of proving he would be someone she could rely on. I also think, if he truly wants acknowledgement as Nova's father, he should go through the courts to have the paternity test done so that he can have his name added to the birth certificate. He mentioned it on the reunion, but it seems he's all talk and no action, from what I can tell.

From what we've seen, Briana makes no effort to take Nova to Devoin. She never offers to meet on neutral ground where Devoin won't have a lamp thrown at his head.

I partly agree with this, but I also think Devoin could make the extra effort to call Briana and see if they can meet somewhere. I can't help but feel like he should be the one putting in the most effort if he really wants to see his kid, but it goes both ways, and Briana could definitely be trying harder, too. On an unrelated side note, it's really refreshing being able to present alternate viewpoints with someone on this board without having them resort to name-calling, as is par for the course on IMDB, it seems. Even though we don't agree on some points, you've been really pleasant to converse with.

[–] BareMinimum 10 years ago

I can understand how the tense environment would keep him away, though, and that's why I think Roxanne and Brittany need to back the hell off.

I think that if they backed off, he wouldn't feel like he was walking into a three-on-one situation every time he wanted to see his daughter, and he'd be more apt to visit, so I agree wholeheartedly. Brittany and Roxanne always seem to step in right when a difficult but necessary conversation is taking place. For instance, when Briana and Devoin were talking about how Nova needs her father in her life, in flies Roxanne to shout obscenities and throw things. It completely derailed a conversation that could've gone somewhere constructive.

She only left his name off after he chose to go and play basketball while she was in labor.

I don't remember that happening, but that's terrible. Even so, Devoin is the father. The birth certificate shouldn't be one's opportunity to re-write history. She procreated with that guy, so she needs to deal with it.

On an unrelated side note, it's really refreshing being able to present alternate viewpoints with someone on this board without having them resort to name-calling, as is par for the course on IMDB, it seems. Even though we don't agree on some points, you've been really pleasant to converse with.

Thanks, and same to you. I know, as I'm sure you do, that the moms and dads on this show both make many, many bad decisions. With that in mind, you know you're really just discussing who is less wrong in a situation when you talk about the show with someone. No need to get overly emotional about any of it.

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

For instance, when Briana and Devoin were talking about how Nova needs her father in her life, in flies Roxanne to shout obscenities and throw things. It completely derailed a conversation that could've gone somewhere constructive.

I agree with this, for the most part. They were actually speaking pretty calmly, and then Roxanne comes barging in like a bat out of hell. Her anger was also totally out of proportion with what was being said, leading me to believe she was either angry about something entirely different, or PMSing that day. By the same token, I can understand how infuriated she must be, watching a young man who won't take care of his responsibilities where it concerns her daughter and granddaughter, but she can't mop up every mess for Briana. At some point, she has to let Bri learn to handle the drama in her life on her own, especially since Briana created that mess for herself.

Even so, Devoin is the father. The birth certificate shouldn't be one's opportunity to re-write history. She procreated with that guy, so she needs to deal with it.

Yep. I personally wouldn't have left his name off, for more than one reason, and I think Briana made things harder for herself by doing so. I just think Devoin would have had a much easier time bonding with Nova and getting to know her if he would have been there from the beginning. I hate guys who think they can pick and choose when they want to be a father, but if he's serious about wanting to see Nova now, then Briana should at least give him another chance and try to work with him on it. Some good might actually come out of the situation. Although, there are some rumblings that Devoin's in and out of jail now, so it's hard for me to say.

With that in mind, you know you're really just discussing who is less wrong in a situation when you talk about the show with someone. No need to get overly emotional about any of it.

Pretty much. These people are all train wrecks, so we're basically just picking the lesser of two evils in the situations.

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

She only left his name off after he chose to go and play basketball while she was in labor.

So she did it out of spite? That makes no sense.

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

So she did it out of spite?

I think so. I don't entirely remember the whole episode, but I think he wasn't supporting her during the pregnancy or paying for anything to prepare for the baby's birth. If I remember correctly, the final straw for Briana was when Devoin blew her off during labor, and that was when she decided to leave his name off the birth certificate.

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

If his parents really want to see the child, then his parents should be involved in his life, too. Where were they when he went to court?

Did we actually see him go to court for custody, though? I thought they only showed him in court when Briana took him there for all the nasty things he was writing about her on Twitter. I'm not sure about grandparents rights, but I hope Devoin's parents are able to file for some sort of visitation if they want to see their granddaughter. They shouldn't be kept from her because of Devoin's lack of effort in Nova's life.

Briana isn't going to let him take Nova to his house if he has no idea what to do.

This is what I've been thinking all along. To be honest, if I were in the same situation, I wouldn't want him taking the baby out of the house, either. He looked like he was about to pass the hell out after only one hour with Nova!

[–] FletcherofLocksley 10 years ago

Did we actually see him go to court for custody, though? I thought they only showed him in court when Briana took him there for all the nasty things he was writing about her on Twitter.

Right. I'm just saying that as parents, shouldn't they have been involved in that sort of thing? Especially as parents who want to see Nova, shouldn't they be more active in Devoin's attitude towards Nova's mother? It was CLEAR that he wrote very hateful things on Twitter. Where is his mother/father telling him that is not okay? I do not expect his parents to know about his Twitter use normally, but he went to court over them. Time for the parents to step in.

In regards to Nova being sick when Devoin went over, I highly doubt Briana didn't tell him. I think Devoin didn't listen to her.

Devoin played the victim this episode. I believe that whole-heartedly. I think he deserves to see Nova. I think his parents deserve to see Nova, but I don't think any of them have any desire. Devoin just doesn't want America to hate him.

Geronimo

[–] KyleCheeks321 10 years ago

Devoin is in jail now. Ain't nobody got time for that!

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

I'm just saying that as parents, shouldn't they have been involved in that sort of thing? Especially as parents who want to see Nova, shouldn't they be more active in Devoin's attitude towards Nova's mother?

Yes, generally speaking, but I think it's a slippery slope because, if Devoin is 18 or over, he's responsible for his own behavior, and his parents shouldn't have to run after him and fix his mistakes. That being said, it wouldn't hurt for them to step in and steer him in the right direction, and hopefully they're doing that off camera. If not, they're doing a slight disservice to Devoin and to themselves.

I think he deserves to see Nova. I think his parents deserve to see Nova, but I don't think any of them have any desire. Devoin just doesn't want America to hate him.

I'm still unsure about his parents, but this is definitely how I feel about Devoin. If he wanted to see Nova that bad, he could. Briana isn't exactly welcoming him, but she's not flat-out keeping him away, either. He could see his daughter if he really, truly wanted to, but he doesn't. He just wants to save face and be a pretend father for the cameras. The fact that he doesn't even buy anything for Nova or pay for any of her living expenses says it all.

[–] Tracey73 10 years ago

I'm just saying that as parents, shouldn't they have been involved in that sort of thing? Especially as parents who want to see Nova, shouldn't they be more active in Devoin's attitude towards Nova's mother? It was CLEAR that he wrote very hateful things on Twitter. Where is his mother/father telling him that is not okay? I do not expect his parents to know about his Twitter use normally, but he went to court over them. Time for the parents to step in.

Devoin's parents can only do so much. He has not established paternity, so even if they live in a state which recognizes grandparents' rights, they legally could not pursue a relationship with Nova. To be fair we really don't know what they tell Devoin, so we shouldn't assume that they don't try to talk some sense into him.

I have an 18 year old and they are not as easy to control as some think. (Believe me, I wish they were lol.) Devoin is an adult now, so there is not much his parents can do other than beg him to establish paternity and gain visitation rights. I don't know if they have contacted Briana about seeing Nova, but I think that would be the first step. It's possible she would allow them to see Nova without Devoin being involved.

That being said, I completely agree with you that Devoin is playing the victim. He has had 2 years (1 year at the time of the reunion) to take Briana to court to establish paternity of Nova and get visitation rights. If not having money is his excuse, then he can quit buying name brand clothing (notice he is always dressed very nice) and get a second job (if he even has one). He has no excuse IMO. Personally, I think he was only on TM 3 for the money and 15 minutes of fame.

You're the angel that came and took these clouds away. ~ Blue October

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

Devoin has not tried to see her

He said in the finale that he has tried to see her many times.

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

He said in the finale that he has tried to see her many times.

I'm not sure that I believe him when he says that. Devoin strikes me as the type of guy who would call Briana only at the most inopportune times (i.e When Briana has already told him she has set plans) and then whine when Briana tells him he can't see Nova at that particular time. It just seems to me that if he wanted to see his daughter badly enough, he would go over there almost every day to see her, and if they won't let him into the home or prevent him in any way from bonding with Nova, he would take Briana to court. Didn't Nova just recently turn two? Court can be expensive, but Devoin has had plenty of time to work extra hours, or whatever he needs to do, so he can pay the costs, get the DNA test done, get his name on the birth certificate, and fight for custody.

I don't know, I just feel like the guy is a fraud, who's only pretending he wants to be a father because the cameras are rolling.

[–] laurac281 10 years ago

I just can't imagine having to deal with Briana's mom. She is a nutcase and like mentioned above, has taught her daughters that "men are bad". Devoin is a teenager, and like Briana, very immature. Hopefully in time he will come around and take on the responsibilities of fatherhood. It will never happen if Briana's mom doesn't change her ways though. IMO, SHE is the biggest problem.

A Fact Of Life...
After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F....

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

It will never happen if Briana's mom doesn't change her ways though. IMO, SHE is the biggest problem.

Yeah, I can agree with this. If I were Briana, I would be working my ass off to save up the money to get out of that house. She's never going to learn true responsibility or independence as long as she lived in that crazy household.

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

if he wanted to see his daughter badly enough, he would go over there almost every day to see her

Briana said in the finale that she didn't want Devoin coming over every day.

he can pay the costs, get the DNA test done, get his name on the birth certificate, and fight for custody

He said in the finale that he was going to do all of this.

Devoin said the truest thing at the finale: It's the 3 of them against me. There is more than enough blame to go round, but, personally, I find Brittany very intimidating.

[–] ILuvTheCinemaItaliano 10 years ago

Briana said in the finale that she didn't want Devoin coming over every day.

I know, but she told him in earlier episodes this season that he could come over whenever he wanted, and he never did. I think the reason she backed off on the offer was because he never took her up on it, and she's not going to let him come around once in a blue moon and completely mess with Nova's psyche. I also think that if he truly wanted to go over there every day, he would have endured court and fought for it. I'm sure there's a lot that goes into it that I'm not aware of, but Devoin seemed to be saying whatever sounded good on the reunion special, rather than speaking truthfully from the heart.

He said in the finale that he was going to do all of this.

Yeah, but we're a year removed from that, and from what I've heard, he still hasn't done anything about it. His words all sound pretty, but it doesn't seem like he truly wants to be a father and is ready to put in the effort to do it. He's getting arrested now too and, if anything, that would be even more cause for Briana not to want him around.

Devoin said the truest thing at the finale: It's the 3 of them against me. There is more than enough blame to go round, but, personally, I find Brittany very intimidating.

I would find her intimidating, too.

She's such an in-your-face type of person, and that can be daunting, especially when Devoin is on their turf and doesn't really have a whole lot he can do to retaliate while in their home. The problem with Roxanne and Brittany is that they constantly hover, and then the second Devoin says something they don't like, they run out of their cages like attack dogs. Their behavior definitely isn't encouraging Devoin to do anything more than he is, which doesn't sound like much, so I definitely agree with you that there's enough blame to go around. The person I feel bad for in all of this is Nova. Can you imagine having to grow up in that household with those three women for 18 whole years? Yikes!

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

The person I feel bad for in all of this is Nova. Can you imagine having to grow up in that household with those three women for 18 whole years? Yikes!

No doubt Nova will grow up just like them.

[–] Tracey73 10 years ago

No doubt Nova will grow up just like them.

Stirchley, I was thinking the same thing. If Devoin could straighten out his life (he was recently arrested) and become a real dad to Nova (putting her first in his life), and his parents develop a positive relationship with Nova, then I have hope for her.

Devoin was arrested in March 2013 for drug possession. Then, he was arrested twice in the month of September for probation violations. Here's the link to the story in case you haven't read it:

http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/10/02/devoin-austin-arrested-teen-mom-3- dad-violates-probation/#

In case the link is broken, here's the story:[quote]The ‘Teen Mom 3′ dad was arrested on Sept. 24 after violating his probation stemming from an earlier arrest. His daughter’s mom, Briana, spoke out on Twitter following Devoin being put in jail. Get all the details here — and see what Briana had to say about her estranged ex!

Devoin Austin, father to Teen Mom 3 star Briana DeJesus‘ 2-year-old daughter, Nova, was arrested in Kissimmee, Florida on Sept. 24 — his second arrest in one month. This arrest stemmed from violation of his probation after his March 21 arrest for drug possession.

Devoin, 21, “was held on four counts of criminal activity, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and burglarizing. Devoin was held on a $5,000 bond,” WetPaint Entertainment confirmed. “Devoin violated his probation by failing to complete 20 hours of community service, failing to make payments that he owed to the court, and getting charged with burglary and possession on September 1.”

According to Devoin’s arrest report, he was arrested for Probation Violation and Comm Control — which the Florida Department of Corrections website explains as a “form of intensive supervised house arrest in the community, including surveillance on weekends and holidays, administered by officers with limited caseloads.”

Devoin’s ex Briana took to Twitter on Sept. 30 to comment on Devoin being in jail — and said she was sending him a photo of their daughter: (She tweeted "Gonna send Devoin a picture of Nova...hope he'll sit there for how ever long he's doing time for and reevaluate his life w/ that photo!")

You're the angel that came and took these clouds away. ~ Blue October

[–] geekamonggeeks 10 years ago

I think it's a two-way street. Yes, Devoin should have stepped up a long time ago, and should be making a strong effort to be in his daughter's life. However, Briana and her family make it so very difficult for him to do so. They're so bitter that he wasn't there from the beginning (which is understandable, to a certain extent), that they refuse to let him take those steps into being there for Nova. Roxanne and Brittany, like you said, are attack-dogs: Devoin says one thing that they consider wrong, and they're throwing things at him and trying to attack him. And Briana just sits there and lets it happen. She keeps saying that her daughter needs a father, yet every time the actual father tries to step up (and, again, he should have been there from the beginning), she doesn't encourage him: she just lets her mom and sister fight him off.

Essentially, they all need to work hard at maintaining a civil relationship for Nova's sake, so that she can know her father and he can help support her. But I feel like it's a two-way street. Devoin isn't entirely guilty, and Briana isn't entirely innocent (and, yes, she needs to get out of that house, if only for Nova's sake).

1-800-TRUTH
http://rebelwithanilldefinedcause.blogspot.com/

[–] Tracey73 10 years ago

Devoin said the truest thing at the finale: It's the 3 of them against me. There is more than enough blame to go round, but, personally, I find Brittany very intimidating.

I think it would work much better if Brittany and their mom were not at home or stayed in their rooms during the times Devoin visited. If they can't keep themselves from making snide remarks or reacting verbally or physically when Devoin says something they do not like, then they do not need to be in the same room with him, esp. if they want him to have a relationship with Nova. Both of them are very intimidating to me, also. I wouldn't want either of them in my face lol.

You're the angel that came and took these clouds away. ~ Blue October

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

^Good points. I also don't know why Briana's mother and sister have to come to the finale. It's Teen Mom 3 not Teen Mom 3 + Mother + Sister. And it was so classless when Brittany came storming out from backstage before she was invited. She just couldn't wait to put in her two cents.

[–] laurac281 10 years ago

And good old mom taking off her shoe, ready to assault someone!

A Fact Of Life...
After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F....

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

^Briana's mother took off her shoe?!

[–] laurac281 10 years ago

How did you miss it? She had her red spike heel in her hand, drawn back, ready to pound someone in the head! LOL! She's a total nutcase!

A Fact Of Life...
After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F....

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

^Cannot believe I missed that.

[–] Tracey73 10 years ago

^Briana's mother took off her shoe?!

While he and Brittany were arguing (while standing up), Roxanne started to walk out slowly (sort of like a sneak attack IMO). Devoin's back was to Roxanne, so he was unaware she was walking up behind him. She took off her shoe (adorable red shoe with sort of clunky high heel) probably to whack him in the head with it. Either he turned around or security pulled him off-stage. Roxanne threw the shoe at Devoin. She needs to learn how to control her anger or she'll be in jail one of these days for assualting someone.

You're the angel that came and took these clouds away. ~ Blue October

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

^Gosh, too bad Devoin is getting into all this trouble.

[–] BlackDog123 10 years ago

Beyond the intimidation factor, I think Devoin needs to worry about possible legal consequences being around those three women at the same time - I can see one of them throwing things at him, striking him, or getting in his face and blocking him from leaving, then calling the police if he puts a hand on any of them to protect himself or leave and claiming he initiated an assault. I can also see the three of them lying to back each other up and giving the cops a sob story about him being a deadbeat dad. Do I think he's a deadbeat? Kind of. Do I think he's physically and legally safe having visitation at their house? NO. Once a man (or woman, for that matter) has a DV charge on their record, good luck getting unsupervised custody without a huge fight (even if the charges are dismissed).

***If someone is truly violent, then I absolutely do NOT support them having unsupervised visitation.

They're coming to get you, Barbara!

[–] MinaGodiva 10 years ago

I think that they are WAY too invested in each others lives. I can tell because my family is the same.

But in Briana's case: They are constantly around each other, judging her every move. I can understand why that can be a bit suffocating. Plus it's pretty obvious Briana was pretty seriously depressed. I wonder why no one picked up on that?

And is it a shocker that Brittany wants to move out? She's dealing with Briana's drama and her overbearing & overprotective mother. And the way their mom threw a hissy fit when Brittany said she wanted a place for herself, was plain ridiculous.

The girl is 18. I'm assuming she lives close by her college but suppose she enrolled in a college out of state.. Would her mother expect her to drive her back and forth?

Dear Warden. You were right. Salvation lies within.