It is not a secret that I am not a fan of my in-laws. Two days ago we got a phone call from Jason, the obnoxious brother of my hubby. Turns out that my hubby’s pregnant sister and her family is living in a car. They sold their house in November and had told us that she would move in with friends until they would buy their next house. She came to pick up our cat carrier cage and we’ve never heard of them again.
My hubby’s mum - who we don’t have any contact with - has had her followed for the last couple of months (don’t ask, it’s a long and very complicated story) and had found out they - pregnant sister, partner and 3 kids - are living in a big four-wheel drive. The kids apparently haven’t been to school for months.
I was shocked when I heard the news. I could not believe it. They made a whopping profit when they sold their house and I could not imagine that they had spend it all and were basically homeless. But it turned out that my sister-in-law had been scamming the government for money. Her mum had turned her in so I guess she had to pay everything back + a hefty fine.
The only reason why Jason let us in on it was because he wanted us to take care of their cat while he tried to talk them into staying in his house until they sorted their shit out. Why on earth he wants to help them I don’t know, because she has a restraining order against him. He says it’s only for the kids and not for her. I feel for the kids, I always have. She has always neglected them and is pregnant of a fourth child.
I want to ring child services, but Jason doesn’t want me to. He has been in a foster home when he was young and doesn’t want them to go through with it. But let’s be honest; she’s not ever going to change and her kids are paying the price. Should I really just sit back and let this happen? There is no way that she is gonna let her kids stay with us or Jason.
I feel torn. I want to do something for the kids, but on the other side I do not want to get involved with her. What should I do?
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February 29th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Oh that’s a tough one, I’m feeling for the kids on this one too. I would keep tabs on the situation and if Jason can’t get her and the kids to stay at his home, then I would report her to child services. Those children don’t have a voice, someone needs to speak for them. She needs to be taken care of too until the fourth one is born. Good luck with everything..
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Wow sure sounds like you have a delima here. It’s hard to say what a person should or shouldn’t do unless they are in the situation themselves. But, I think I would call social services. If for nothing else, to get the kids back in school where they belong.
Good luck with your decision. I don’t envy you the job of making it.
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February 29th, 2008 at 6:33 am
That’s awful. In-laws can be such a trial. I feel so sorry for their poor kids!
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February 29th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Well considering a family member actually wants to take care of the children they shouldn’t be put into foster care. The judge always will go for family before even thinking about foster care. I’d say that’s your best bet if any of you think they are in any sort of danger and considering they are living in a vehicle, ya, I’d say that’s dangerous.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:41 pm
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March 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
This is horrible. I understand not wanting children in the foster care system, but they need a roof over their heads, food in their stomach, and regular attendance at school. I would report a family member who treated their children this way.
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