[bnesmith]

My name is Britney NeSmith and I am a 20 year old college JR. I am the oldest I have a brother who is 17 and a little sister who is only 11. Recently my brother left home and now lives with some family friends. This change in our lives was very hard on us all but mostly on my Mom. While gogin through this I gues my mom realized her unhappinest with my father who I love dearly. I'm pretty sure that they are going to get a divorce because they have spoken to us about it. I want to make sure that my little sister will be OK (shes heart broken). Neither my mom or dad have ever caused us any strife or danger and I am not worried about her physical safety but Im just not sure that staying with either of them for a while is a good ieda. I would be 100% willing to keep her with me in Denton where I go to school, but this is about 45min to an hour away from my sisters school and driving back and forth everyday is not very praticle. Not to mention she has already voiced that she really wants to go to her school. She is starting middle school this year which is hard all on its own now a days. I do believe that more change (ie friends etc.) is not in her best interest. I caould relocate and go to a community collge closer to home but Im not sure if this wold br in our best interest for the future. I don't know what to do. I have 2 jobs that make me pretty good money and I could make ends meet for us but Im not sure if this is what I should try and do. Its just bad enough that she has to go through this but choosing who to live with is something that I don't want her to go through AT ALL (she is the only one that still lives at home).

[s_cianci]

I'm very sorry your family is going through this. Don't blame yourself or your brother for your parents' problems. Your concern for your sister is admirable and legitimate. I agree that the less uprooting she has to experience, the better. Also, understand that you are not the one primarily responsible for your sister's care. That's your parents' job more so than yours. You can certainly pitch in and help out but don't neglect yourself or your studies as a result. Ultimately the courts will have to decide on the issues of custody and visitation where your sister's concerned.