Quote From: penningtonMY HUSBAND & I ARE RAISING 1 OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN WE HAVE 5.
2 OF THEM HAVE PARENTS THAT ARE RAISING THEM . THE OTHER 2 HAVE PARENTS THAT ARE ON DRUGS & HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS. THEY HAVE NOW LOST THEIR CHILDREN TO DDS FOR THE 3rd TIME ( THEY WILL BE ADOPTED OUT THIS TIME)
EVERYONE SEEMS TO THINK MY HUSBAND & I SHOULD TAKE THEM. I CANT HANDLE ANYMORE CHILDREN. THE ONE WE HAVE IS 17 MO. OLD NOW .WE HAVE HAD HER SINCE SHE WAS 4 MO OLD & MY HUSBAND IS DISABLE & CAN HELP ME VERY LITTLE SO I KNOW I CANT TAKE ON 2 MORE CHILDREN TO RAISE. THERE AGES ARE 4 & 5 YRS. I LOVE THESE 2 GRANDCHILDREN AS MUCH AS I DO THE OTHER 3 SO DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT I SHOULD SAY TO PEOPLE WHO INSIST THAT WE TAKE THEM
I understand what you are going through. How is the conditions with the other side of the family? Have you contacted the other grandparents? Are they stable? Have you and are you able to speak with to them about your concerns?
What relation is the child you have in your custody to the two that have been taken by DDS? If they are brother/sister even if you can't adopt them maybe you could work with the DDS to have information about where they would go(open adoption), They will want to know one another in the future. No matter what your choice, try to think of possible issues in the future and find a way to make it less tramatic on the children in the future.
I would try to contact other family members on both sides to build some type of support group and possibly find a member willing to take on the challenge of raising two children. Sometimes family members that are able and willing have no idea what is going on with the children. Most often if a family member is taking drugs, those who are NOT on drugs try to say away to avoid all the hassles that come with a drug addict. ie. stealing, abuse and mood swings to name a few.
Try to find a family member and speak with them. but if that doesn't work stay in touch with DDS for future communications with your grandchildren.
Most importantly remember you are doing the best you can do. What others think is not the issue. If these are family members.... Why are they not taking the children? Most likey the same reasons (or similar ones) as you and your husband. Remind them you are no more or less able to do this than they are, and you feel that to have the children transfered into yet another tempoary home would be more harmful than helpful to them. Good luck to you and your family!
