My story....

Well, my sons ex girlfriend finally decided to let us have the kids,well grandparents power of attorney.. my husband and I are going today to file the papers to TRY to get permanent custody of them. I told him that I don't think I am going to be a very good "second Mom"! as my patience is wearing very thin! Its weird his is much better and mine is gone!!! But the problem right now is child care while I work!! I don't make allot of money,,,but I might as well quit my job for what the day care places want!! Couldn't believe it!! Then welfare won't help,have to go by our income,which doesn't make any sense...we are not the parents,just caretakers right now!! But at least they are not living in a motel anymore,that makes us very happy!! Thought I would let everyone know!!

I'm glad things are underway. Now you will not be worrying so much abotu the children, as you will know they are well cared for. Your stress levels will go down eventually and the patience will kick back in, just you wait and see. It won't do them any harm to have you as you are - they are in the best place for them with you, and it will actually do them alot of good, patience or not! Blessings and Godly provision to you. Thank you for the update - please keep us posted, as you are in my thoughts often.

I see flyers all the time in grocery stores for day care in someone's home, perhaps that will be less money. Can't you get any state aid help? Perhaps you just need to take a deep breathe and let G*D or whatever higher power you believe in help you to cope. Karen, may you have the patience that this job requires because you've got the health of those children on you now. ANDI ps. i believe in you

Most state agencies pay you to take care of them. You need to file for that money so you can make ends meet. It is standard in I think all states other wise no one would ever take the children as gaurdians or foster. Check it out I bet you will find out they will help you and should provide the kids with medical insurance. Carla

Some one I work with is in the same boat and has been paying for the care and insurance and the whole 9 yards for 14 years. The granddaughter is having a BAD adolescense and it turns out is bipolar. After running away and DFACS getting involved it turns out that they should have been getting state funded insurance and the foster care stipend all these years. Check into the childs right and grandparents rights advocacy centers and websites and I am sure you can find someone local who has already fought the fight. Here in GA there are a number of grandparents based support groups.