As some of you know… my wife and I took in a 1 yo baby almost 9 years ago. Little girl was born premature to a junkie alcoholic chain smoking mom… dad was same. She was in dire straits.
Since then I’ve had several folks come up and whisper “we might have to do the same thing you and your wife did “. It ends up being an overarching talking point whenever I see them until it doesn’t happen.
I’ve made it quite clear that we did not actively seek another child. We already had grandchildren to dote over. We’re no heroes… and it was a very tough decision to take her. I couldn’t stand her parents and the “system” would look out for her.
It seems like the other folks just want to be part of the “older folk’s group” raising children…. Or at least talk about it. Honestly… I’m a bit embarrassed. Attending school functions and what not being called her grandpa and being older than most of the other parents…parents.
My point to all of this is…they don’t want to be in this club. It’s one of tougher decisions I’ve made and not an easy row to hoe. It’s also a sad commentary on our society. We had to be in family court several times in front of a judge and it was packed with cases just like ours in one fashion or another. The driver to most cases was drugs and alcohol abuse.
The silver lining to this is baby girl is getting ready to be a 4th grader next week and turn 10. She’s an absolute sweetheart. Very smart and well adjusted even though she’s being raised by 2 old farts. She does have some quirks that the specialists contribute to being a substance abuse baby. Nothing we can’t work through though.
Since then I’ve had several folks come up and whisper “we might have to do the same thing you and your wife did “. It ends up being an overarching talking point whenever I see them until it doesn’t happen.
I’ve made it quite clear that we did not actively seek another child. We already had grandchildren to dote over. We’re no heroes… and it was a very tough decision to take her. I couldn’t stand her parents and the “system” would look out for her.
It seems like the other folks just want to be part of the “older folk’s group” raising children…. Or at least talk about it. Honestly… I’m a bit embarrassed. Attending school functions and what not being called her grandpa and being older than most of the other parents…parents.
My point to all of this is…they don’t want to be in this club. It’s one of tougher decisions I’ve made and not an easy row to hoe. It’s also a sad commentary on our society. We had to be in family court several times in front of a judge and it was packed with cases just like ours in one fashion or another. The driver to most cases was drugs and alcohol abuse.
The silver lining to this is baby girl is getting ready to be a 4th grader next week and turn 10. She’s an absolute sweetheart. Very smart and well adjusted even though she’s being raised by 2 old farts. She does have some quirks that the specialists contribute to being a substance abuse baby. Nothing we can’t work through though.
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