Quote From: moms2bones This may be a bit long, and a little vague.
I have a friend who is experiencing some serious problems, alcohol and drug abuse.
She is facing DUI charges here.
My main concern is that of her daughter, 4yrs old. Someone looking from the outside might say "call family services" for the sake of the child. At least with being able to watch the child when she goes off on her outings, I know she is safe, and with the "hoopla" of our child services its like taking her from one bad situation, to another.
She has had a boyfriend who she accused of domestic violence, and believe me I dont see that as being true, infact she dropped charges of a FRO, she did have a TRO against him. This was all done against the advice of her attorney.
Recently she informed me that she went back to the "boyfriends" (can you spell TOXIC) house for the weekend into tuesday of this week, on wednesday she informed me it was all great and that they made ammends. Well Friday she told me that it happened she was raped(?)
She goes from normal to physcotic(sp) in a matter of minutes, maybe even secounds.
My question is this what would you do, if you had a friend in crisis, like this?
I know the choice I am thinking of doing will cost a friendship, but possibly save a child.
I am always in tears thinking of this, and losing sleep because of the worries I have for the child.
Any advice would be great.
Hi there
I don't think you should go to child services. First of all, it doesn't seem to me that the child is in any danger. Secondly, almost all children love their parents, be they wacky, manic-depressive, alchoholics, or whatever. Children want to be with their parents. Finally, the chance of child services placing the child on a permanent basis are slim to nil. All you will have succeeded in doing is damage your friendship while sending the child on the horrible ride of multiple foster homes.
If you truly are concerned about the welfare of the child and are a good friend, then make yourself into the child's unofficial aunt. There's no reason you can't offer to babysit sometimes, take the child on outings, make sure she is well-fed and healthy. The child wins an additional caregiver, and your friend may come to her senses with a bit of extra help that may give her some extra space to think.
