This is a downer, but I need an outside opinion

In My Humble Opinion
21

Going away to start a life for yourself is clearly the right thing to do, as many others have commented.

I feel I must add that the situation with your siblings is very concerning and I think you ought to consider intervention by professionals. By professionals, I’m talking about child protective services, school counselors, therapists, and the like, including the police if your mother is ever physically abusive.

Not only could the intervention of these professionals help to avoid further abuse by your mother, but they could also build the case on why your saint of an aunt should be supported in her bid for guardianship… not to mention that it sounds like you and your siblings could use the advice and expertise of such people to help get your lives straightened out after dealing with such an abusive parent.

Good luck and it sounds like you are starting off in the right direction.

22

Count me as another who wonders why your aunt is only taking your sister. The process for obtaining guardianship is no small thing, so it’s not like she’s non-committal about her decision, and it would seem like a fairly simple thing to just take them both, under the circumstances. Surely your aunt is aware how toxic your mother is, else why take the step of seeking guardianship?

Anyway, perhaps you can suggest this to your aunt, if you have a good relationship with her. Perhaps she just doesn’t realize that your brother is getting crap from your mom too. No one can really be an effective shield for him unless he’s physically removed from your mother.

As the others said, what you can do is just keep in contact with them, and be supportive.