First, a little background:
My wife made friends with a lady she works with that is going through a hard time financially right now. We have been trying to help her and her soon to be 12 year old daughter by helping them with food, household stuff, and spiritual guidance for about the last 6 months or so.
The daughter has been gone for the summer visiting her father, and just came back a few days ago. The father drove her back from Chicago and was going to stay with the mom for a few days before returning. Unfortunately, an argument between the mother and father took place this morning that ended with the father choking the mother while slamming her head against the mirror in the bathroom repeatedly while the daughter looked on. Police were called, and the father left before they showed up. Since he does not live in the area, I don't think he will be seen again soon.
This brings me to the point: I had already been trying to be something of a father figure to this young girl, but given how she just saw he biological father behave, I feel the need to step up my efforts of trying to provide a better example of masculinity for her. Her birthday is coming up next week, and it happens to fall on a day when I have the evening free. I am intending to offer to do something with her for her birthday, but since my children are quite a bit younger (my oldest daughter is only 6) I am not sure what 12 year olds like to do... My current thought is to take her to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America and go on the roller coasters and rides she would want. We could then go and get her nails and/or makeup done or other "tween" stuff like that.
Is that stuff that real kids like to do? Can anyone give me any advice on this please?