Stepmother worried about her step kids, please help.?

Question

I am not sure where to start. I feel that the children are being mentally abused in their home. Their mother is very bitter and unreasonable, never willing to work together as far as the children are concerned. It is her way or no way, no compromises. I don't feel that she is doing what is in the best interest of the children. The children all have social issues and are all doing poorly in school. Friends and family have even expressed their concern for these children. I feel a lot of guilt in my situation, having children of my own, I feel that there must be something I can do to help these children. It seems that in order to do what is right for them it will take a lot of money and attorneys, which we do not have. Is anyone in the same boat here? Should I stay out of it and continue to close my eyes to all of it? It feels very wrong.

Answer 1

they   must be under social workers if they are as a bad as you say why not ask them to give you and their dad the children during the week and the mother them at weekends for a trial period and see if there is any change if they are old enough can they not choose who to stay with the social workers have got to do what is best for the children you can get free lawyer if on small income i hope everything turns out all right it is nice to know you care about them good luck x

Answer 2

The world can use more caring step-parents like you.

The best circumstance would be for their father (your husband?) to take the responsibility for the children.  He would need to seek custody.  As you said, it could take money and lawyers.

Another option is to request a social worker be assigned to the case.  Most states allow for voluntary services without a determination of abuse.  Or possibly, you could express your concerns about the children to CPS and they can investigate.  You will have to be very clear in your concerns as I have had the experience of a telephone agent trying to dismiss my concerns before the matter is fully explained.

Answer 3

Seriously, good luck with CPS, they are useless in my opinion and don't do anything for children most of the time. Report them if you want, but don't expect fireworks from CPS. Your best bet would be to join a stepfamily network online like steptalk.org because people there would have more information & answers for you than perhaps yahoo answers.

My stepkids have been abused in the past by their BM (birth mother) and nothing was done. I'm not saying there is no hope for you, I'm saying research your options & then act  

Answer 4

umm, you do have social workers on this case, right ?

if not, get some.. they'll take care of it