This is a Journal entry by Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.")
Wlcome Single Parenthood
Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") Started conversation Apr 2, 2004
So, I get a call this morning from my sister. The pressure of raising 3 kids that are not hers has gotten to her and she does not feel it is in her family's best interest to continue to have my children staying with her. So, my son and daughter will be coming to live with me and my stepson will be going to live with his mother. I have very mixed feelings about this.
1) Severely upset. At my children's behaviour, the behaviour she is describing to me doesn't happen when the kids are with me. I am not calling my sister a liar, quite the contrary, my niece used to be fairly well behaved and is now, and has been, exhibiting behaviour I didn't think possible for her. Her behaviour has gotten steadily worse over the last 9 or 10 months because her life has been so disrupted by the moving-in of my kids.
2) Concerned. About the well-being of my stepson. His mother, I like to think of her as the egg-donor, is not a good a mom. She can think of nothing but herself and has only seen the kids on MAYBE a half-dozen occasions since June 1st last year. She rarely calls any of the kids. The school that stepson will be transferring to is not a very good school, he has attended there before and did not do very well.
3) Ecstatic. I finally get to have my kids with me! Nothing more need be said about that.
I do not think I am ready for this, I really don't know that I can do this. Probably fear talking to me.
Advice is appreciated, especially from single parents.
Wlcome Single Parenthood
Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") Posted Apr 2, 2004
The move happens next week.
Welcome to Single Parenthood
Blue-Eyed BiPedal BookWorm from Betelgeuse (aka B4[insertpunhere]) Posted Apr 3, 2004
GDZ:
One day at a time.
Get 'buy in' from the kids. Take time for family meetings to air concerns and to put forward ideas for group activities. Write down some rules from the outset, asking for their input on what's fair. Do a little give and take. Stay positive, as much as it is within you to do so; it'll rub off on them. Make time to take time with each one separately for a few hours on a regular basis. Keep them involved in the life that surrounds them. And be a part of it. They won't always want you 'tagging along', but for them to know you are watching out for their safety will mean a lot to them. Let them know when you'll need time for yourself, and perhaps a prospective new companion, if that factors into your lifestyle. That's only fair, too.
Do what you do best with your kids: Love them.
That speaks volumes.
You can do it.
They will love you for it.
And it will all be worth it.
Bless,
thestormB4thecalm 
Welcome to Single Parenthood
Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") Posted Apr 4, 2004
Hey thanks B4!
Welcome to Single Parenthood
Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") Posted Apr 4, 2004
Latest news:
Stepson will likely be joining me through the end of the school year.
Welcome to Single Parenthood
Blue-Eyed BiPedal BookWorm from Betelgeuse (aka B4[insertpunhere]) Posted Apr 4, 2004
Better for him, as the school where you're at is of higher caliber, eh?
B4thenextsemester
Welcome to Single Parenthood
Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") Posted Apr 4, 2004
It is definitely better than the one he would attend living with his mother.
Welcome to Single Parenthood
Blue-Eyed BiPedal BookWorm from Betelgeuse (aka B4[insertpunhere]) Posted Apr 4, 2004
GDZ, do you have room for everyone at your place? I know it'll mean making some adjustments, no matter how much or how little space you have available. Enjoy the fact you'll have all of them under one roof, being cared for by a responsible individual who cares for their well-being--namely, YOU. It'll be challenging at times, but keep it light-hearted and you'll all have a good time. You can only grow from this new chapter in your life, and the memories built now will be something the kids (and you) will treasure for a lifetime. 
B4ithinkofallmyfamily'schangesovertheyears
Welcome to Single Parenthood
Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") Posted Apr 4, 2004
There will be room for them, my dad and I will be converting storage rooms back to bedrooms.
Key: Complain about this post
Wlcome Single Parenthood
- 1: Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") (Apr 2, 2004)
- 2: Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") (Apr 2, 2004)
- 3: Blue-Eyed BiPedal BookWorm from Betelgeuse (aka B4[insertpunhere]) (Apr 3, 2004)
- 4: Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") (Apr 4, 2004)
- 5: Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") (Apr 4, 2004)
- 6: Blue-Eyed BiPedal BookWorm from Betelgeuse (aka B4[insertpunhere]) (Apr 4, 2004)
- 7: Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") (Apr 4, 2004)
- 8: Blue-Eyed BiPedal BookWorm from Betelgeuse (aka B4[insertpunhere]) (Apr 4, 2004)
- 9: Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") (Apr 4, 2004)
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