Upset
Christmas is the worst time of the year to have bad news. And still they come. I'm feeling upset and worried because of my brother and his little daughter (aged 7 months). My brother has had a very troubled relationship with the mother of his daughter (the mother is somewhat mentally ill, unfortunately) and today I got the news that they have finally broken up, after a truly horrible Christmas. I won't go into details, but the bottom line is that I'm terribly worried about my little niece. She's now with her mother, who apparently has packed her things and left the house my brother and she bought together. I'm worried because the mother will be in no condition to take care of the baby. I'm also worried that she might do something terrible, as her sickness has sometimes manifested itself as aggression and even violence. All I want is for my brother to be happy and the break up will certainly be a good thing for him, but even more so I desperately need to know that my niece is alright. It'll be better that she doesn't have to hear her parents fight anymore, but will her mother be able to keep the child's best interest in mind as she will definitely be devastated by the break up? And quite selfishly, I'm sad that my niece will now, at least for a while (until the custody matters are settled), live far away from her father and her father's family, us. I didn't even get to give her all her presents this Christmas - her very first Christmas. I bet the presents are still under the tree at my parents' place. It's so very sad and frustrating, as I can't do anything about this. In other words, I'm very much hoping for a better year for my brother and my niece.

I'm so sorry to hear your brother and his partner broke up, which is especially sad because there is a little girl involved. Is there any chance your brother can win custody of his daughter, considered that the mother is in no condition to take good care of her? I'll keep your family in my thoughts, Yavannie. :hug

That is a very difficult situation, Yayvanne. I hope that your brother will be able to get emergency custody quickly or that she will have enough sense to realize she can't care properly for you niece. :hug to you and your family. I hope the situation gets resolved quickly and your niece is back with your family.

Oh that is a very sad situation, and that for Christmas. I hope you brother will get his little girl back and that he gets custody. I do not understand that she can get away with that little child, especially in the state she is, because she is a danger for the child. Is there not anything your brother and your parents can do to get you little niece back now ? I hope that soon you all see your little niece back and I wish you all a lot of strenght.

Thank you for your kind words, ladies. I'm hoping that my brother will get the custody. They have a shared custody at the moment, but I don't think the mother can (at least not at the moment) provide for the child as well as he can. She doesn't have any income or a home and she's mentally unstable and her parents (my nieces maternal grandparents, that is) are in complete denial of their daughter's mental health problems. So yes, I honestly hope my brother will get his daughter to live with him. My parents have already arranged for a daycare place for my niece, so that even though my brother has to work, my little niece could be spending those hours in good, loving care. The saddest thing about this is that these are the months that are most important for a small child's development. She should get all the loving attention she deserves so that she will grow up to be a balanced individual. And little babies are so sensitive to the moods of their parents that it reflects on their behaviour immediately. Already my niece apparently wakes up a lot in the middle of the night and cries a lot, too. She can't understand why her mommy doesn't smile at her and play with her. It's just so sad. :no no

Such a sad, difficult situation, which no-one can escape unhurt, Yavannie. I wish the minimum of distress to your brother niece and I hope your sister in law can find some peace from her mental ordeal. Hugs to you :hug

I'll certainly keep your brother,niece and sister-in-law in my thoughts,Yavannie. Such a difficult situation. Poor little baby. My heart goes out to them all. Please keep us updated,okay?

Yavannie, I am sorry to hear of your family's troubles. I hope that everything gets sorted out soon. I also hope you can remain in contact with your niece. Please keep us posted, GinaP

Yavannie, I am glad to hear that your parents have arranged a daycare for your little niece. But it is indeed very sad for that little girl that she does not get all the loving attention like it should be.

Thank you all for your support. You're such a lovely bunch of ladies! I'll keep you posted on matters. At the moment we don't know much more, my brother is feeling (as is quite understandable) pretty shaken and has a lot on his mind, with the worry of the well-being of the baby and every other practical detail. It's just going to be a day at a time, we will support my brother and be there for my niece. Hugs to you all for being so wonderful - and at the same time, I hope we'll all have a better new year of 2009!