[jthomas1600]

I'm curious if anyone here was raised by grandparents, aunt/uncle, or are as an adult raising kids that are family, but not actually your children.

The reason I ask is because my wife and I have recently secured primary custody of our grandson. We're hopeful that our daughter and/or the father will be capable of being parents at some point but that looks to be a few years off.

I'm just looking to hear from people who have some experience so I can try and learn and avoid some of the mistakes that I'm sure are waiting for me.

[jthomas1600]

At 50 I was not looking to reset the 18 year child rearing clock.

But look at this guy. How can you not fall in love with a charmer like this?

[DaGeek]

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

At 50 I was not looking to reset the 18 year child rearing clock. But look at this guy. How can you not fall in love with a charmer like this?

Little dude is quite dapper!


I'm sorry that things have gotten bad enough that this is necessary, but I think you and your wife are amazing for doing it. I don't have personal experience with non-traditional families -- closest I've come was when my brother-in-law and his wife were attempting to adopt their nephew out of a very neglectful home.

[Mara]

So handsome!! No experience here, but praying for you as you go through this.

[MtlMom]

I'm thankful that he has grandparents who will love and care for him. He is hopelessly cute, and a precious gift from God. I have no personal experience with this at all, but here's my advice: eat a good breakfast!

[Uptown Thrunk]

My wife's family had recently fostered, and subsequently adopted, several kids.

I don't know all the inside and outs. But, I know it is the best thing for those kids, even though it may be hard.

You guys are courageous and doing something awesome!

[Giga Hertz]

Can't say I've ever experienced this, but the sister of a family friend had 5 kids and due to a number of extenuating circumstances (I think drugs may have been involved, but I'm not 100% sure) she was deemed unfit. The oldest (17 at the time), and the two youngest (about 6 and 10) went to live with our friend (who already had two kids) and the middle two (maybe 12 and 14) went to live with her mother.

The 17 year old hated it here (they all came from the city and we're a small town) so after they couldn't make it work, he went to live with his grandmother too until he was 18. Not sure what he's doing now. But the two girls are still here and involved in our Church (one of them is in my youth cell group - the other's too young at the moment).

Our friend's family was raised Catholic, but I don't think anyone outside of her parents - and maybe one or two of her siblings - actually took it super seriously. The kids in question certainly didn't really have any particularly faith upbringing (their dad is... Indian I think...), so the girls being here has done them a world of good in that regard.

I can't say I know of any life lessons, but as long as that child is in the right hands, it will be a good (better?) thing.

[jthomas1600]

Hey, thanks for the well wishes and encouragement.