children
By KAGoulas
@KAGoulas (1)
United States
July 20, 2007 1:08pm CST
Hi: I have been a parent for what seems the majority of my life. I have three grown daughters. There ages range from 22 to 26. I also have two adopted daughters, ages 6 and 7. They are the children of one of my older daughters. I love the little ones and could not and would not give them up.
There are times, when I think about the direction my life has taken, I cannot catch my breath. I never dreamed at my age I would be starting a new family. My husband and I dreamed and spoke of the things we would do once our older children were grown and on their on. All is different now.
My husband, although in good health, is sixty-one. The little ones love him as he does them. He worries of dying and leaving them without a father.
My husband and I both love the mother of the little ones. We tried, prior to adopting the girls, to get mother and children to bond and become a family. For some reason that just did not happen.
I hate feeling angry over the situation I am in. I am never angry at any of my children, only the situation.
2 people like this
3 responses
@egfitz62150 (645)
• United States
20 Jul 07
God bless you for being able and willing to make such a huge sacrifice for these little ones! Tell your husband not to worry about leaving these children fatherless -- he already IS their father. The wonderful memories of his love for them will carry them far beyond their need for his actual physical presence. Yes, it would be wonderful if he could be there when they become adults, but it's today that he has, and no one can tell how many "todays" are available to us. So, tell him to make the most of today and let God take care of tomorrow!
@egfitz62150 (645)
• United States
20 Jul 07
P.S. Your daughter may need professional help. Perhaps talking with a counselor would help you too in dealing with your anger towards your daughter. She must be in a very bad way to let her kids go like that.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
21 Jul 07
Oh I hope and pray that I am never in your situation! You are raising your grandchildren?? You have made such a huge sacrifice! You have forfeited time with your husband and given up the joy of being a grandparent in order to raise your grandchildren! you have done the right thing and should take comfort in knowing that. I am a grandmother and I am so grateful that my daughter is taking care of her own and that I am able to just enjoy them. I have three other girls and so the future is unpredictable. I am sure that if I was put on the spot, I would take my grandchildren under my wing. I would not want to for the same reasons you are here writing. I have been raising children since I was 19. I am 51 now. I still have a 13 year old. At one point I was full time babysitter to my grandson while i stil had 3 children at home and being a single mom and working fulltime...exhausting. Your story is amazing and so is your attitude!
@Cassy1976 (796)
• Australia
20 Jul 07
Good on you for stepping up and taking over the care of your grand children, I am sure that when they are older they will appreciate it a great deal. I think it is sad though that you have had to take over the care of your grandchildren as their mother isnt caring for them. It must be hard to think that at your age you should be on the verge of retiring and not bringing up children but it is lovely that you have made the sacrifice for these children and I hope that your daughter appreciates that! Your children are so lucky to have you to love and care for them
