Anna,

I guess this thread started when I was out of town last week. So, i haven't been able to give my 2 cents.

First of all, you and Mark are doing a great thing. Your niece and her family are very fortunate to have you guys. You have a heart if gold and will have a great influence on Ashley.

I don't now if you remember, but I posted a little over a month about my brother coming to live with me. He is 17 and just graduated from High School. He too had gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd and has almost gotten himself killed on numerous occasions. He starts college in August, but moved in with me in May. He will be commuting to school the first semseter. Hopefully, he will get his act together and be able to move out on his own.

He was breaking my mother's heart and I just had to do something about it. Andrew suggested he come and live here for a while. And after talking to my parents about it, they agreed.

I too was worried about this whole situation. I am only 22 and have so much going on right now. I want to be his friend and sister, yet have to be the adult/parent. I think most of his problems stemmed out from my the way my father always treated him as a child and was always hard on him. My older brother and I were treated the same way, but were able to deal with it diferently.

He has chores like keeping his room clean, watering the plants, picking up after himself, walking Draker once a day while I am at work. I take him out all the time and we do fun stuff. Andrew has been a great influence on him when he is around. He takes him hiking, rock climbing, kayaing, and talk about guy stuff. He starts work next week and I have told him that he will have a curfew. I made it clear to him that I will treat him like an adult if he acts like one! Act like a child and you will get treated like a child!

He absolutely loves animals and goes to the shelter with me all the time. He and Drake play during the day and hang out together sometimes at night. He loves taking Draker to the lake and they swim for hours!

Things have turned out OK so far. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted.