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#1
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Hello, way long sorry.....
I am new to you, but I have lurked here for almost 2 years. I haven't
posted for a few reasons. Caution to the wind......... My name is Bev, I am 42 y/o single mom of two girls, oldest 22 in college far away from home I miss her lots ! Youngest 16 this past September and a new mother to my 2 month old granddaughter. Long past history warms my heart with a step daughter and son both adults 30 and 26 and 3 more grandchildren 12, 7 and 1. There is a third step son that I rather not know of (we won't discuss this now) . I guess my reason to try to begin communicating here has a whole lot to do with the single parent stuff we are dealing with, with my daughter and her new baby. She and my sweet granddaughter are of course living at home here with me. I am very happy about the baby and very proud of my young daughter and how she has handled becoming a mother so young. When she and her boyfriend came to me 11 months ago I think shock was what I felt first.... not that it happened, cause heck these things do happen, we wish not to our teens, but hey there it was and what to do was never a question in my heart and mind. We would do everything we can to give this baby a loving home and good stable environment. We had spent a horrible almost 2 years going through emotional hell due to the death of my partner and my daughters "other parent" which was all she knew for 14 years of her life. She has a father but the relationship with him is very hard for her because he is an alcoholic. I am trying to be some what brief with the history because it is way to much to discuss in a single post. This baby has brought so much joy to all of us that are involved at this point in her care. I have a live in partner that has been a wonderful support both emotional and financial, to my daughter,granddaughter and I. The stress has not torn us apart yet and I am praying we will survive this change in our lives. My daughter has returned to school as it should be,she must finish her education. So my partner and I have filled in the blanks were baby comes in to play . The daddy of the baby is also 16, he goes to school and works a part time job to buy the diapers and wipes. He is at our house as often as he can be but lives with his parents down the road. At first he seemed afraid of the baby. He is now doing much better with helping to care for her. It has been hard trying to keep the two teenage parents heads on straight here and there. I guess it is that they are kids and boy do they still think just like kids sometimes! Anyway, one of the issues we have right now is that of support ? It is not that I see us not having what we need to raise this baby up until these kids grow up and can give her a home and security on their own and I do hope this will happen in the next couple of years ( they seem to get it) ! My question is he is a boy of 16 ? Shouldn't his parents be helping to support this baby as I have as the maternal grandmother ? I have managed to get the baby on my health insurance and we have WIC for formula, financially things are not horrible, but what if they don't stay together? Shouldn't someone be putting some money away for this babies security and well being? This I can't do. Am I thinking right to feel that his parents should be doing something here ?????? I don't want to stress these kids into an argument between them and if it weren't for the fact that his parents are doing nothing to help, I mean it is even expected for us to send formula when they do take the baby every other weekend ? Do I leave it go ? Advice is needed please. Thanks for your time. Bev |
#2
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Hello, way long sorry.....
Am I thinking right to feel that his parents should be doing
something here ?????? You can feel whatever you want, but you can't make them help. And truth be told, it's not his parent's responsiblity, nor is it yours. It's the kids. And it's only gonna get more and more awkward, as you take on more responsiblity, you are going to want more control of the situation (which is only normal) but the fact is, unless your daughter gives up custudy, you have no control. She's going to things you think are wrong and not good for the baby and you may be right or you may be wrong, but it won't matter. You aren't the parent. She is. I'm not saying it's not a great thing that you are stepping in for this child, but it's gonna get dicey and if his parents haven't stepped up to the plate by now, they probably aren't going to. Good luck. Joelle The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - St Augustine Joelle |
#3
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Hello, way long sorry.....
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#4
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Hello, way long sorry.....
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#5
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Hello, way long sorry.....
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#6
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Hello, way long sorry.....
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#7
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Hello, way long sorry.....
Yeah it is the kids responsibility,
I think I have known that but seem to keep coming back to how the heck can/will they be able to do it on their own ? Well, what's done is done, but that really was the question they should have been asking themselves when they decided to raise the baby. . I know I took the responsibility to help them and just could not see another way that would be acceptable to me I guess. ( adoption or abortion were never a choice for me) There's the rub. Abortion or adoption was never your choice to make. It was theirs and you made it easy to choose to raise the baby because they knew they could depend on you. Now I kind of think you are stuck. They made the choice expecting your help. If they didn't have your help maybe they would have made a different choice, but what's done is done. I think you are kind of obligated, more so than the boys parents because they made it clear in the beginning that they weren't going to take responsiblity for the child. I made this decision to at least be financially responsible until the kids finish school and can work and find their way out into the big bad world ,ya know? Well hopefully it will work out that way. Joelle The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - St Augustine Joelle |
#8
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Hello, way long sorry.....
She has said in
anger to her b/f that his parents do nothing to help and hers do everything , I heard this and felt good that she sees all we do and sad See, seeing her resent her boyfriend because her mom does more than his parents should not make you feel good. It should worry you. What that child needs is stable mother and father, together if possible. Already this is a bad set up for the father- he's set up to be a failure compared to his girlfriend's mother. This is going to make him resent you, resent her, and maybe even withdraw more from his child because he feels he can't live up. You probably should stop advising your daughter, treat her like the adult she needs to be, but if you are going to advise her tell her to stop ragging on her boyfriend and instead give him positive feedback for what he does do for the family. She is having a hard time accepting that at 16 this is the way it has to be for them I know it's hard to make them see that before the baby comes. But yea, that's her life. She gives up a lot. But help her see what she gains. I am leaning towards suggesting to Sara to get legal custody of the baby and seek legal support from Jimmy so this crap can stop. I think you need to stay out of it. Joelle The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - St Augustine Joelle |
#9
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Hello, way long sorry.....
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#10
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Hello, way long sorry.....
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