My sister is an addict, and her ex was abusive. She and her three kids moved in with me years ago. It was supposed to be temporary, but she kept choosing men and drinking over her kids, so I told her to leave. She was showing up drunk, disappearing for days, and leaving me to handle everything. I couldn’t let the kids keep living like that.
For the past six years, I’ve raised them with no help—no money, no food, nothing. Just me. About ten months ago, my nephew (13 now) had to leave because he was a safety risk to his sisters. I sent him to his mom, but she ended up in jail within a week. He was abandoned in a housing project. I had no choice but to call his dad, who took him in. Now he’s living with his older sister, doing better, getting good grades, and staying out of trouble. I hated sending him away, but I had to do what was best for everyone.
My oldest niece (almost 16) was recently in a psych ward. She started self-harming because of peer pressure and got mixed up with a boy I wouldn’t let her talk to. She didn’t like my rules, so I let her stay with her mom. I knew it wasn’t a great choice, but the only other option was foster care. Now she’s missing a lot of school, her mom is still a mess, and DFACS is involved.
The social worker was shocked when she found out I’ve been handling everything alone with no legal guardianship. I never involved them before because I was scared they’d split the kids up. But they were always taken care of—doctor’s visits, school, counseling, everything. I did everything I could for them, but now I’m pregnant, broke, and completely out of options.
My youngest niece (11) is struggling too. I can’t afford therapy for her, and I don’t have the time or money to keep this up. I told DFACS she should at least finish the school year, but will they force her dad to step up? Or can he just say no and let them put her in foster care? I’m not getting clear answers, and I don’t know what’s next.