Hi there, nice to find this site, and be here! Anyway, down to topic at hand. I have an 8 year old niece, who I have intermittently taken care of over the past 8 years. So, since day one really. Anyway, I have had her for months at time, sometimes days, sometimes just one day, so on and so forth. My queston, her mom is now throwing a hissy fit, and will not allow me to see her. I am the adult that takes her to school, does her homework with her, makes sure she is clean/fed for school. I taught her to read, etc. Now, her mother on the other hand, jumps from job to job, is filthy dirty, lives in a pig sty, and feeds her daughet (when she has her) chips for supper. I think this gives you some idea as to the situation. Now, I am looking to either get shared custoday, or even sole custody, either would be fine by me. I want to know, is this worth pursuing? I know we have quite an extend family relationship, but, at the same time, I have been put in the situation to be her 'surrogate' mother. Anythoughts?

Yours truly.

Hi there, nice to find this site, and be here!! Anyway, down to topic at hand. I have an 8 year old neice, who I have intermittently taken care of over the past 8 years. So, since day one really. Anyway, I have had her for months at time, sometimes days, sometimes just one day, so on and so forth. My queston, her mom is now throwing a hissy fit, and will not allow me to see her. I am the adult that takes her to school, does her homework with her, makes sure she is clean/fed for school. I taught her to read, etc. Now, her mother on the other hand, jumps from job to job, is filthy dirty, lives in a pig sty, and feeds her daughet (when she has her) chips for supper. I think this gives you some idea as to the situation. Now, I am looking to either get shared custoday, or even sole custody, either would be fine by me. I want to know, is this worth pursuing? I know we have quite an extend family relationship, but, at the same time, I have been put in the situation to be her 'surrogate' mother. Anythoughts?

Yours truly.
You're in a real sticky situation.

First, the child has a mother and mom holds the keys.

Second, your chances of custodian are slim... I'd get Child Protective Services (CPS) envolved. They can research allogations of abuse.

If the child is taken by CPS... the child may be able to have a new start. You may or may not have the opportunity at custody.

This will be very expensive. Let CPS investigate all it can before you spend too much on this.

When you see mom... try not to argue and keep your playing cards to yourself. You do not want to say anything that mom may act out on the child.

How do I get custody of my niece from her mom whoms abusing drugs ?