I got a call from my mom tonight. As I have mentioned on the board before, she is raising my 4 1/2 year old cousin, because her parents are not fit (alcoholics). The good news is that the state has decided to start hearings to terminate parental rights and allow mom and Rick (my step-dad) to adopt Darian. We are all thrilled about that. One problem has been, not fear that the mother will be able to get her back, but that she will continue to be a total pain in the rear for my mom and step-dad, with her drop-in visits to see the girl. (State had ordered only supervised visitation, thank God.) Also, my fear is that my mom, being in her 50’s and having faced and beaten cancer once, may not be around to finish raising this kid. It’s a long-shot, but I think a legitimate fear. If that happened, and she weren’t legally adopted, the state might not allow my step-dad, who is not related by blood, to keep her. Or, if something happened to both of them, that the state would take her back, instead of letting ME finish raising her. If mom and Rick can legally adopt her, they can make a will stating their desire that I be given custody of her. We are very close, and my mom says that there is no one else in the whole world that she would trust to finish raising Darian. I feel the same way. She has no other family who I would trust to raise her, either. So, this is really good news. I just wanted to share.
Ah, crap, I meant GOOD news!
WEll good. god I love democracy. Let me be the first to wish you and yers god luck!
–Flup!
Good luck to all involved, Trouble! Especially little Darian. I hope everything turns out great!
Just kidding.
Rhonda, this is GREAT news! You mentioned this situation in one of your e-mails a while back, but I didn’t know that your mother was that close to resolving the situation and getting legal custody of your cousin.
Hooray for your cousin, your parents, and you! As I believe I’ve mentioned, you’ll make a wonderful “part mommy” for the girl! I’m so glad that someone who has viewed herself as maternally inclined will get a wonderful opportunity to follow your inclinations!
Hey, hon-
Congratulations! I can’t tell you how good it is to hear one of these custody stories that ends up with the really good “love created” parents gaining full custody of the kidling instead of birth parents who can’t give the child what she/he needs, and in many cases are actually abusive and do harm.
I applaud the courts who appear to have actually done what is best for your cousin instead of bending over backwards to return her to a hopeless situation.
You must be over the moon about this, and rightly so! And BTW, Darian is such a lovely name for such a cherished little girl!
Sending a hug and a prayer to you and your family-
Scotti
Thank you all for your kind replies. It isn’t over yet, but it’s looking really good!
If anyone wants to see her picture, here’s the link to a picture of her and my hubby. It was taken this past Christmas just before her 4th birthday in January.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=12906&a=34565&p=10070706