Godsgirl83, you're kind of late to the party.
not late to the party, just choose not to respond for the sake of responding.
I won't sugar coat things.
You have had a lot of support and encouragement throughout this thread, that's good.
I have followed this thread from right after you first started it. I've read through the replies and I've had questions of my own that I haven't raised because it's really none of my (or anyone else's) business.
But I have noticed how quick people were to attack when things were questioned......
as though to say "your a bad guy for not patting OP's back and not sugar coating things for him. "
Well heck, guess I fall into the bad guy situation now too. Oh well.
Please understand, my heart always goes out to those in hurting situations,
BUT as the mother of mentally challenged children, AND someone who has been a mandated neglect/abuse reporter, just based off what you have shared,
RED FLAGS go way, way up.
Why is someone who says they have background in mental health profession allowing these things to continue?
As for my disabled stepson, there is only so much help he can get and he had quite a bit over the course of his life. The rest comes down to consistency in parenting which was one of my biggest causes of anger. She was lazy and didn't want to help with her own children. She came home from work and hardly engaged
If she is as "bad" as you are painting her out to be (and I'm in no way judging or pointing fingers or taking sides) then you, having worked in mental health professions, SHOULD know without having to be told that her behaviors toward her own children (not you, not your daughter) ARE sounding like they are boarding child abuse/neglect. I am very much aware of just how much help a disabled child can/can not receive, as well as what it takes for the parents to enforce that. ANY parenting takes consistency, but it is even more important for children with mental health disabilities. If she's not doing that, she is neglecting him. And if you love those boys as much as you say you do, I seriously question why (especially you being someone who has worked in the mental health profession) you are allowing it to continue. Having worked in mental health, you must already know that you can make anonymous reports for neglect and abuse. And based on what you have shared, it really sounds like that might be in the best interest of those boys you love so much.
from your first post:
If you want to encourage me to keep doing the right thing, I'll listen to anything you have to say.
that is my only intent with my first and now this reply.
What is the right thing for those boys?
I am truly sorry for the hell you have been through these past several months.
It truly takes someone outstanding to step up and fulfill the role of parent to another persons children.
As these boys grow and reflect back on life I hope they come to realize and appreciate that about you.
Moving forward, I pray you find renewed strength and joy again.
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
I'm drawing unemployment, going back to school to get a trade certificate starting next week, got my house back, and have my stuff back. But all these things without my family just seems empty right now.
This is a great, exciting start start. And your daughter will get to be blessed by this fresh new start too.