My sister-in-law

[Sophist]

Be careful taking some of these suggestions... if you do something to make her want to keep Nathan from you and your parents, he may not have any proper care at all. She sounds like someone who would be willing to use the baby as leverage or against you guys. Play as nice as possible for the little one's sake.

[Catty1]

Can your parents not talk to the case worker? Can your brother - who already had doubts about Stephanie around the baby - not back up a lot of what they say?

The case worker needs more information!

I hope Nathan stays where it is best for him.

HUGS

[ramanth]

I think your parents need to get a lawyer and fight to get custody of Nathan. That is if they want to raise him. If not, but still want Nathan to be properly taken care of, they need to either speak to the case worker without Stephanie around or to the case workes supervisor. If they can get Charles to back up their claims, I'm sure it'd be a great help.

[sumbirdy]

I think your parents need to get a lawyer and fight to get custody of Nathan. That is if they want to raise him. If not, but still want Nathan to be properly taken care of, they need to either speak to the case worker without Stephanie around or to the case workes supervisor. If they can get Charles to back up their claims, I'm sure it'd be a great help.

They want to get custody and they want me to adopt him when I turn 18 because mom has seizures and doesn't feel that she would be fully able to take care of him for an extended period. Charles would back up their claims but Stephanie thinks she has to be everywhere he is and in every conversation that he is in and he won't say anything against her in front of her.

[moosmom]

First of all, why would your parents put that kind of burden on you as a 17 year old. That's really not fair of them to expect YOU to raise him. You've got your whole life ahead of you. To be tied down to a child is just unacceptable, especially since he's not yours.

I think your parents need to intervene on the behalf of their grandson. Someone needs to stand up for this child since he can't very well speak for himself. They should also get your sister psychological help. Sounds like a strong case of post partum depression.

I wish you alot of luck. Please keep us posted. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[cyber-sibes]

I think your parents need to get a lawyer and fight to get custody of Nathan. That is if they want to raise him. If not, but still want Nathan to be properly taken care of, they need to either speak to the case worker without Stephanie around or to the case workes supervisor. If they can get Charles to back up their claims, I'm sure it'd be a great help.

I'll second that! This baby should not be put in an apartment with two angry & irresponsible people, even if they are his parents. If your parents really want to keep him safe, I think they'll have to take legal action to protect him from a potentially deadly situation. You would be appalled at how many children die from neglect & parental violence every year.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Prayers on the way that the little one will be put in a situation where in which he doesn't have to be afraid. My parents went through a similar situation with my brother and a child (found out later that the child wasn't really my brothers but my parents, as they cared for him for three months fought for what was right for him anyway) It was difficult on them, and they did "Start a lot of trouble" but for the child, it was worth it. I hope things work out and that the kid is safe.

[Pam]

My first thought was that Stephanie has post-partum or some other mental illness. It could be that she is just not *mother material* which is probably more like it. I would think the caseworker would be paying closer attention to what your dad is saying. There have been so many cases lately where tragic things have happened to children because their caseworkers have *dropped the ball.* This poor child did not ask to be born and deserves so much more. As if fist-fighting between his parents wasn't scary enough, the neglect issue is scarier. Please stay on top of this situation. Your little nephew needs your help.

[sumbirdy]

Stephanie haven't come to see Nathan since Thanksgiving. They only bought him one christmas present (which is a pajama set for three year olds and he's only 5 months!) so basically he didn't get anything from them. Dad had to force them to buy him diapers and formula (they didn't even know what kind he drank or what size diaper he wears.

moosmom-I don't really mind raising him. People can still have a life with children. I don't consider it being "tied down" to him because that's just too harsh of a phrase. I already have my life worked out the way I want it and he fits into it (or I could make him fit)