02-13-2016, 08:57 PM
Our niece is a good kid, but her parents are kind of out to lunch on what it means to be be a parent--they're not providing a lot of guidance or support. The parents are doing their best, but they both have issues that keep them from really being the kind of parents this kid deserves. She's reached out to us, and we want to help.
So far as we know, there's no history on her part of using drugs, acting out sexually, crime, or anything of concern like that. It's more that's she's kind of adrift, without a strong sense of self or a set of clear core values. That's what we're hoping to help her with.
She's asked to come live with us (me, Mrs. Anonymouse, and 8-year-old Anonymouselette). We have a spare bedroom, and we're close to public transportation. We're planning on giving her room and board in return for light housework (laundry, letterboxes, baby-sitting etc.). She'll also have to take at least one community-college course and have a part-time job, as part of the deal.
What we're less clear about is some of the hassles and difficulties of this kind of situation might entail. I know some of you have been in similar situations, so I'd be grateful if you could share your experience--what's worked, what hasn't worked, anything in particular to watch out for.
Our plan is to try it out for maybe 3 months, and assuming it works out, go on for a year to two more.
Thanks in advance!
So far as we know, there's no history on her part of using drugs, acting out sexually, crime, or anything of concern like that. It's more that's she's kind of adrift, without a strong sense of self or a set of clear core values. That's what we're hoping to help her with.
She's asked to come live with us (me, Mrs. Anonymouse, and 8-year-old Anonymouselette). We have a spare bedroom, and we're close to public transportation. We're planning on giving her room and board in return for light housework (laundry, letterboxes, baby-sitting etc.). She'll also have to take at least one community-college course and have a part-time job, as part of the deal.
What we're less clear about is some of the hassles and difficulties of this kind of situation might entail. I know some of you have been in similar situations, so I'd be grateful if you could share your experience--what's worked, what hasn't worked, anything in particular to watch out for.
Our plan is to try it out for maybe 3 months, and assuming it works out, go on for a year to two more.
Thanks in advance!