Fighting From the Other Side

Aren't these good lookin kids? Every one of them deserves a mom to fight for them. Thankfully, all my kids now have one.

I want moms in my situation to have a voice.

I'm a mom of 6 kids on an every day basis. Three I gave birth to, three I gave my life to. I love all 6 of my kids in their own special ways. This is the culmination of a lot of work and love for years.
Just over 3 years ago, my unbiological kids unexpectedly moved in. It was definately the best thing for them but it took a lot of adjusting and work. Our household doubled in a couple of hours. Within a week they were enrolled in school, settled in the house and permanent residents. After a few months you could already see a dramatic change for the better.
What these 3 needed was a mom who was going to take care of them like they deserved. They were now fed regularly, attending school, supervised and stable. There were a lot of issues to deal with and overcome but you could see the changes. They now had parents who were willing to fight for their right to be a kid.

I know of people who are trying to put their lives together and get their kids back. I know of some who aren't fighting but feel entitled to their kids.
What I want is for moms like me to have a voice from the other side. I want to be able to tell a judge about the struggles we've had for years because of custody being in limbo. The one who has "parental rights" but doesn't care to be the parent except when it suits their needs. Kids go thru such despair and heartache when promises are broken or birthdays and Christmas are forgotten. There are times when it's easier to cut all ties. There are kids who are better off without the hit-and-miss parent.
I am the mom who is willing to fight for my kids. Fight for their consistency and stability, even if this means less parent time with the one who has "parental rights." Parental rights is a fancy term for still being on the birth certificate. These kids are MINE. I feed them, teach them, wipe their tears and celebrate the successes. I'm the one who puts limits on behavior, rewards for things well done and makes them feel special. I'm the mom without parental rights. But, that doesn't make me any less of the mom.

I want moms like me to have a voice in the system. We're the ones who pick up the pieces and put them back together creating a child. We do this over and over again as the other parent pops in and out of their lives causing drama and chaos. There isn't anything about my situation that I would change. But I would like to save another mother from watching her kids hurt while being powerless to help. I would like judges to know what happens after their decision was made. Lets improve these decisions.

This mama bear isn't done fighting for her kids. All 10 of them. And any other child who needs someone to fight for them.