[rsain2004]

When benefits are used for the child as intended, no problem... when benefits are not used as intended, that is using the child just to get the benefits.

[Fr_Chuck]

It appears the one poster has some agenda against public welfare systems, Children and family services are not the welfare system. The welfare system merely supplies medical care , food assistance and money assistance to those in need. This does not endanger anyone.

[rsain2004]

My agenda is: when some claim social benefits for a child, then mis-use them, the child is a victim. Examples are: Making a deal with a small store to buy cigarettes or beer with food stamps, and ringing them up as milk and eggs. Having subsidized rent, and using the dwelling as a narcotics distribution point. These things happen.

Not everyone does this.

Yet according to the poster, this childs' father is a prime candidate. My caution lights went on when I read her postings describing his lack of financial support, a criminal history, and wanting to see the baby. In all of this, that infant is the real victim.

[ScottGem]

Ok, I will bring this a close. I really think you (rsain) are jumping way ahead and making assumptions that are far afield of the Original post.

The OP appears to want to do the right thing and there is no indication that the father will have a chance to abuse the public support system.

So lets drop it.

[newgrandma5]

My agenda is: when some claim social benefits for a child, then mis-use them, the child is a victim. Examples are: Making a deal with a small store to buy cigarettes or beer with food stamps, and ringing them up as milk and eggs. Having subsidized rent, and using the dwelling as a narcotics distribution point. These things happen.

Not everyone does this.

Yet according to the poster, this childs' father is a prime candidate. My caution lights went on when I read her postings describing his lack of financial support, a criminal history, and wanting to see the baby. In all of this, that infant is the real victim.

I am not sure how we got here, but there are no welfare checks involved. I simple stated that my daughter recently started receiving WIC (Women, Infant and Children) checks. These checks are for formula and rice cereal, they have no cash value, you get a certain amount of formula a month and a certain amount of cereal a month. My name and her name appear on the checks and we have to sign them at the register in front of the cashier. As the baby gets older she will also receive checks for baby foods, the department determines that according to the child's age.

My number one concern is to ensure that my daughter gets custody of her baby and keeps it. I don't have a problem with the father and other grandmother seeing the baby as long as they do it right.

My daughter is being a very good mother, I help her but I don't do it for her. She is planning to finish high school and attend college. She has dualed enrolled next year which means when she finishes high school she will also have completed 14 college credit hours. She managed, while pregnant to work and go to school and all the while she maintained a 4.0 grade point average this year. It hasn't been easy for her or for the rest of the family but I am proud of her and I love her and my grandchild and now I couldn't imagine my home without that baby in it.

I don't want her to petition the court for custody and then find out that they won't grant custody to a minor and then possible have the father end up with custody.

[stinawords]

Well don't worry about the court not giving her custody she is the mother and has shown no signs of being unfit. Your other concern about the father getting the child is a more "real" concern (I don't mean you other concerns aren't real). I highly doubt the court will give him full physical cusody but he will get visitation and once the baby is over a year every other weekend (usually).

[JudyKayTee]

I am not sure how we got here, but there are no welfare checks involved. I simple stated that my daughter recently started receiving WIC (Women, Infant and Children) checks. These checks are for formula and rice cereal, they have no cash value, you get a certain amount of formula a month and a certain amount of cereal a month. My name and her name appear on the checks and we have to sign them at the register in front of the cashier. As the baby gets older she will also receive checks for baby foods, the department determines that according to the childs age.

My number one concern is to ensure that my daughter gets custody of her baby and keeps it. I don't have a problem with the father and other grandmother seeing the baby as long as they do it right.

My daughter is being a very good mother, I help her but I don't do it for her. She is planning to finish high school and attend college. She has dualed enrolled next year which means when she finishes high school she will also have completed 14 college credit hours. She managed, while pregnant to work and go to school and all the while she maintained a 4.0 grade point average this year. It hasn't been easy for her or for the rest of the family but I am proud of her and I love her and my grandchild and now I couldn't imagine my home without that baby in it.

I don't want her to petition the court for custody and then find out that they won't grant custody to a minor and then possible have the father end up with custody.

I think your intention and your daughter's character show up loud and clear - as I said, she works, she takes care of her child, she has a mother who obviously loves her, a supportive family and her mother wants what is best for the child and the mother. Plenty of young mothers have no plans, no future, no sense of the World - that is not the case here.

I have no idea how the conversation got off track -

Again, maybe the baby was a mistake, maybe a blessing, but that doesn't change the basic "custody" issue. If you go back to my post you can see the in's and out's. I basically don't think she needs to file for custody, she already has custody, but read back through the answers, see what you think, come back with other questions.

I'd be proud of her, too - she has a future, she's taking care of business and ensuring she has a future.

So let us know what happens and any questions you may have -

[ScottGem]

I want to add my kudos to your daughter. You have every right to be proud of her.

But I do want to clarify something. Welfare is often used to describe ANY form of public assistance. The WIC payments are public assistance. There is no reason to be ashamed of asking for and receiving help when help is needed.