Originally Posted by yourstrulyquilts
How many of you folks are raising someone else's child(ren)? Grandchild, niece, nephew, foster child, stray? How long have you been doing this? What are the challenges you have and how do you deal with the problems? Do you still have a life or is it on hold? Was it a mutual thing between you and Spouse, or were they reluctant? Are you sorry you got into this, or are you happy, sad, discouraged, frustrated, pleased, content, satisfied? How much time do you get to quilt now? Has it enhanced, or destroyed, your life?
When my granddaughter was born and released from the hospital, she came to my house. My daughter had a C section, and her husband was too lazy to help her. She moved back to the in-laws house when she went back to work. Her husband couldn't understand all of the time and attention a baby requires, eventually the rocky marriage failed and the two girls returned home. My granddaughter has grown very fond of her Papa and me, and us in turn with her. She considers our home her home, which it is. Thank the dear Lord, my daughter is a wonderful mother and always puts her daughter first in her life. She takes good care of her, physically and emotionally. We plan the roles of parents sometimes rather than grandparents because we need to teach her manners, sharing, responsibility, etc. We can spoil her when we take her out, or baby sit while mom gets out. But it's a fine line to walk. I love hearing her voice in the morning, and receiving her sweet kisses every day. Both my husband and I like having the two of them there. Yes, sometimes we remember when our house was ALWAYS CLEAN, not littered with toys, books, and play dough. But the love and joy that we experience from out little Rilee, far outweigh any inconveniences she might bring with her.