Safe Luxury

I am so pissed!?

Ok, well recently I said that my sisters blew off school to come stay with me and anyways I drove them down. When I got there the C.A.S was already there saying they wanted to put my sisters in so called "safe" homes. I told them that was a bad idea. After reviewing medical stuff, trust me abuse and foster care is expected. So anyways now it was either a foster care or me taking in my 4 sisters! So I am really mad cause those were both really bad options. My best friend that I share the apartment with is ok with it. The 15, and the 16 year old share a room, the 14 and 12 year old get the futon beds in the living room until we can sort of clean up the computer room for them. I know I have a right to be pissed. What can I expect with my sisters? They are staying with me now, and it will be 2 weeks till the 12 and 14 year old have a proper room. Little Help. I have already gave them rules and chores to follow and do. Anyone got ideas? If it helps on top of the list I have required the 15 and 16 year olds to work to try and help take care of any entertainment for the 4 of them.

Public Comments

1. remind them what major changes you and your roommate made for them, and ask them to help as much as possible and the 6 of you can get threw it. I applaud you!!! That is a big choice you made on your own!! For what ever reason you decided you would do everything in your power to keep your family together, and I hope your younger siblings respect you for your choice.
2. Wow, this is really a tough situation for an 18 yr old to be put in. I really think that what you're doing is great, but remember that you can't always do everything, and that you now have a whole ton of responsibilities on you. You are essentially now their guardian, and you need the cooperation of your sisters to make this work. As for suggestions, I think that you should try to help the 14, 15 and 16 yr olds to find jobs to help with your extra expenses that you now have, or at least the 16 yr old. If you work as a team this might work, but if you feel overwhelmed or that you can't handle it, then you should probably ask for some state help, even though that doesn't sound like a good option. The best of luck to you!
3. You have to explain to them how much strain taking them in is putting on you and your roomate. Tell them you love them but the strict ruels you set need to be followed exactly as you ask or it's not going to work out. such as when youre doing homework they have to be silent, a good thing to try would to have a set homework time for every day so that everyone is quiet during study time. I know this is going to be hard for you because a 12 year old is still a little girl and so is 14 so they need a lot of attention and love that you being in college and focusing on your study's may not be able to give. I'm 14 and have a terrible homelife. my brother is in college and I wish he would take me in like that.
4. Make a point of having 1 on 1 time with each of them, even if it's only 20 minutes once a week. They need to know that they matter to someone right now, and that they're not being lost in the shuffle. As far as what you can expect from them, expect them to be upset for a while, but try to involve them in your (now also THEIR) daily life... invite them to help you make dinner, or do dishes. Things are going to be pretty hectic for all of you for a while. Something else you need to be sure of is that each girl (including you) has somewhere to go that they can be alone if they need to. A friend's house, the library, anywhere. The rule about this should be that if you leave the house, you leave a note saying where you went, and what time you'll either be back or call to check in.