My son hasn't seen his daughter in more than 3 weeks!

United States
March 5, 2012 12:02pm CST
DHS (Department of Human Services) made my son and his ex-girlfriend give up their parental rights to their daughter 2 1/2 yrs ago. My husband and I adopted her when she was 3. She is 5 1/2 yrs old now and in kindergarten. She goes to her dad's and mom's houses every other week. The problem is my son and his boyfriend. They have had an on and off relationship for 2 yrs now. The boyfriend is a cutie (and he knows it) and a sweet talker. He has stolen from us and our son knows it. But my son is choosing him over his daughter and us. They don't stay at a job very long and are always complaining that they never have money. I won't give him money anymore. Then he writes on facebook that he is going to Colorado. I commented "You have money to go to Colorado? When will you have money to drive a few blocks to see your daughter?" This made him mad. His boyfriend lies to him about anything and everything. When they are together, the boyfriend cuts my son off from his family and friends. This is the third time they have gotten back together. I don't know why my son chooses to keep believing him.
2 people like this
9 responses
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
20 Mar 12
I'm glad that you have decided not to give him money anymore. Sorry to hear that your son acts this way. Hopefully with time your son will grow up and see that his daughter should be the most important in life. If he doesn't soon enough he will learn the hard way that when she is older she will not want to spend time with her because she will feel that he never cared about her. I'm happy that you and your husband have custody of her. I know that it must be hard raising such a young child all over again. But she needs you both.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Mar 12
Thank you. He just texted me yesterday. His unemployment ran out, neither he or his boyfriend have a job and they are going to get evicted. He was pretty much begging. I reminded him that we are raising his child and have to use the money we have for her and our bills. He just doesn't get it. When he has money he just blows it on dvd's, going out to eat, etc. A couple weeks ago he asked for money again and I said no then a few days later when I go to pick up my granddaughter they have a new 'toy' for themselves that costs $100.
• United States
26 Mar 12
It used to be hard for me to see him struggle because he has crohns. I know others who have it and they say it can be very painful if you're not taking medicine. Now that we are raising his child (whom I love very much), I don't feel the need to help him. He's an adult.
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
6 Mar 12
It is a complicated situation. Your son is really irresponsible, I am sorry to say this. His love for his boyfriend is obviously creating problems for his entire family. I hope he grows up.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Mar 12
We hope he grows up too, but it looks like it's going to be awhile.
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
5 Mar 12
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation with your son. It does seem to be a case of his love is blind. At least, it seems to be that way, from what you've said. However, being a parent myself, I don't quite understand why he doesn't see his daughter. It seems strange to me that it seems that he's not interested in seeing her. In his situation, I would want to see her every chance that I could get. But I guess that's just the type of parent and person that I am.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 12
I feel the same way. I know that in the past, he couldn't go longer than 1 week without seeing her. I don't understand either.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
6 Mar 12
That's a shame and I know it is heartbreaking for you. It amazes me how people will sometimes choose partners over their children. I could never do it. I think that sometimes people's heads get mixed up and they forget what is really important. I am sorry he is acting the way he is. The saddest thing is by the time he realizes it, she may already be grown. I have spent most every moment with mine and it was truely a blink of the eye and their youth is gone. I still have a 13 year old at home that I am enjoying but I know that I will wake up and she will be a woman..just like my other daughter and my son. Stay strong friend and enjoy that little girl. I will be hoping that he decides to do the same.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Mar 12
I think you are right about forgetting what's really important. I know he loves his daughter. When my kids were in high school I thought the same thing. It was like I blinked and they were grown up. I always respect your input Jen. Thank you.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
5 Mar 12
My respect for you and your husband that you both adopted your granddaughter. A liar who you call a sweety? I am afraid you can't do anything to change your son's opinion. The harder you try to harder he runs out. so my advice is: let him go, don't give him any money. Concentrate and invest in your granddaughte, now your daughter. There will be a time she will ask for an explanation.. don't do like I did and find excuses for the behaviour of her bio-parents. She will know like my kids knew. The bio-parents will be the ones who have to answer all her questions one day.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 12
Great advice! I just want him in her life for her sake. DHS said that we shouldn't even let my granddaughter stay with her mom or dad. But that's wrong. She was 3 yrs old and already had a loving relationship with her mommy and daddy. I wasn't going to take that away from her. The boyfriend is not a sweety, he 'sweet talks' his way through life.
@uggonen (77)
• Finland
5 Mar 12
Wow doesnt he miss his daughter? :O I could have never be without seeing my daughter (if I had one) for that long! Also I feel sorry for that his boyfriend is stealing from you and lieing to him :-/ I hope he will soon realize what his boyfriend really is like. All the best for you, your son and his daughter!
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 12
I know. It doesn't make any sense to me. I miss her when she goes to her mom's for 2 days.
@MandaLee (3764)
• United States
5 Mar 12
Hi, Maybe your son is in love. Sometimes love is blind. I am sorry to hear about this. I hope your son sees his daughter very soon. Have a great day!
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 12
He is in love, but I would hope that he love's his daughter also. When our boys were young, I could never go that long without seeing them.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
6 Mar 12
your granddaughter is lucky to have you and your husband. i think your son is blinded by his love for his boyfriend so that he believe in him and cut your relationship with you as his parents. at this point, talking to him will not really help. just give your understanding to him instead of talking to him about his daughter because that will make him even stay away from you. make him feel that in case he wants to move back in your arms, he will still be welcome. remind him that a family is a family and the only persons you can turn to after all have turned back at him. in time he will realize that and just pray it should not be in a bad situation. love her daughter much though it will not be enough. you have a very kind heart and that you will be bless more by God.
• United States
6 Mar 12
That was very kind of you! I suppose I need to be understanding, but I really don't understand him. LOL It's hard to show him understanding when he only wants to talk to me if he wants something. He and I have always been close, we have the same humor and think a lot in the same way. I guess we have similar personalities. I've been there for him every time they have broken up. It just hurts after awhile.
• Canada
5 Mar 12
Sounds like a classic case of love is blind. He is obviously mesmerized by this boyfriend and doesn't want to do anything to harm the relationship they have built to this point. Some people are under the misconception that love and happiness far outweigh the need for money. Its definately wrong and most know that but in the situation they are in they are blinded by it. As for seeing his daughter, you didn't mention your sons age but maybe he's not at the age that he wants anything to do with kids, the Department of Human Services made them give her up maybe he hasn't gotten over the fact that he was forced to give her up, at least it worked out that his parents adopted her and he can still see her but it may be that he is hurt that he himself couldn't make the decision to either keep her or place her in a more stable home. You are doing a very nice thing taking in your granddaughter allot of parents would just say to their kids you made the bed you lie in it. Your very kind for doing such a wonderful thing. This little girl won't have to go searching databases to find her natural parents and will be raised by caring and loving people with the influence of her biological parents.
• United States
5 Mar 12
My son is 25 yrs old. I think he is immature for his age. I was immature was 25 also, but I would never choose someone over my children. I could never give up a child or grandchild. It's just not in me to do that. My husband and I talked to our boys about how to treat a girl and not take advantage of her or let her take advantage of them. We never had to worry about our oldest, but we did with our youngest. We talked to him about it 3 times. I always knew that if my sons ever got a girl pregnant and, for whatever reason, couldn't take care of or keep the child, my husband and I would adopt the baby/child. Of course I never told our boys that. Thank you for your kind words. We love her very much!