OT - Would You Take in Someone's Child?

My heart breaks for families who feel like the tough love route is their only option because it isn't.  If the child is under age and they leave home, the parent is still responsible.  The responsibility does not disappear because of the child's bad decisions.   What if she sees does see how bad the skreets really are and loses her life?  We want success for our children don't we? When my knuckleheads mess up, I'm trying to find a way to rectify it, and I will exhaust every option I can to ensure that my child is ok.  I will always be my child's advocate, so it wouldn't be okay for my child to be calling her friend's mother asking if she can stay!
Sorry- I took it somewhere else... but to answer your question...lol...I would attempt to help the child out, but not necessarily by taking him/her into my home.  I would provide insight on resources available to them if they are going to be on their own.  In addition, I would be a resource if they needed information, how to get emergency assistance, were hungry, etc.   I have seen situations like this get messy too many times.  This could impact your household negatively.
Dammmm dat was long...sorry.. got a little carried away

Yes I would and yes I have. There are three sides to every story yours, mine, and the truth.  I would have a meeting with everyone involved speaking with each one alone and then everyone together.  I agree kids need guidelines. I tell children all the time when you are born you do not come with a set of instructions. The child must learn to be a child and the parent must learn to be a parent. Both parties will make mistakes, and the learning comes from how you handle the mistakes. If at all possible I would speak with the school counselor, I know there are privacy issues but you can speak in general terms. If you take her into your home let her know she will still have rules to follow and there is a reason for rules.

Don't do it.

Thanks for all of your input

I spoke with Mike and he told me "Hell Nawls". He knows the parents (and the child) better than I do and he doesn't want to interfere. She is underage (17yo) and she's living with her grandmother. Her father lives around the corner from her GM (still out of her school district) and he feels that her father should step up and take care of his own.

My heart really does go out to her. I know these youngsters can get out of line but as a parent (with a really, really soft heart) it's hard for me to resort to tough love. Intially, I blamed myself about the issues that my stepdaughter was having. I thought maybe she felt she was being replaced by the new woman (me) in the home. Later on, I found out she had been planning to bust a move well before I came into the picture....dayum baby daddy  Let me stop there before I hijack my own thread with a new story....

I'll keep the child in my prayers and let her know that my ears are always open for support, just not my door.

NO!