After 4 years of living in anger and disappointment...

[GrammieGiggles]

My Sarah is leaving her husband and she and her children will be moving back in with me, again. I hope this time it's for good but only time will tell. I don't have much room here in my little house but what extra room I do have goes to her. It'll be nice having a little one pushing me out of bed again. LOL

I just hope I can be there for her without being overwhelming, bossy or too motherly. Right now she needs a friend. I have to try with all my might to keep my opinions of her husband to myself cause I don't like him at all. Never have. He has done nothing but degrade my daughter, destroy her self confidence, starve her and the children by not providing money for food and put bruises on my grandchildren in places where little children should not be spanked or hit. Now that they will be living here, we will have proof that he puts the bruises there. He uses plastic piping to spank them. I've wanted to call someone so many times but my daughter has talked me out of it.

Anyway, I'd thought I'd let you know what's going on in my life today. What's going on in yours?

[targirl]

Dodie I am so sorry to hear this, I wish the best for Sarah and her children. I know you will do everything to help her through all this.

[Linda Lou]

Dodie, I am sorry that your daughter, your grandchildren, and also you have suffered the pain of this person. No one, especially the babies, deserve that kind of treatment. I pray that things will work out well for your family. At least they will be well fed and protected once they are with you. I know they will be relieved to be with you. Praying for the best for her and her children in the future.

[feefee]

Hoping sincerely that all works out for your daughter and grandchildren, Dodie, and for you....

[Joyzap2003]

I'm sorry that your daughter and her children are going thru a painful time right down. They are very lucky to have you in their lives and I'm sure your Grandchildren will love living with their Grandma

[Gayla]

I'm so sorry Sarah is having to go through all this...but so very glad she has you at her side. I hope everything works out for her and she is able to get back on her feel emotionally.

ALl of you will be in my most positive thoughts and prayers. You're a good woman, Dodie.

[sheila]

Hey GrammieGiggles, Now you can give you grandchildren a safe haven. And your daughter.
I know you will worry less about her now that she is moving back with you.
I will keep you in my thought and in my prayers.
Sheila(teaberry girl)

[licia]

Dodie, it is so good that you can provide a place for them to revive and get on with their lives. We've all had to bite our tongues at times when it comes to our children and I hope and pray that all goes well. Enjoy them and don't share too much chocolate with them.

[Lina]

You are doing the right thing Dodie...Hugs to you...now bite your lip, I know it's hard, put pick the battles...

[Smiling Dawn]

to you and yours, Grammie.

Today my 2nd dd is out to a basketball game w/ a friend and then to a baby shower. The shower was supposed to be last evening, but with the snow it was canceled. So I am glad she will be there to represent us.
We have company coming for ice cream, tonite. they are newcomers to the area. My dh met the other dh at the airport and they have been flying together. Dh suggested that the whole family come over so we can meet them all. Looking forward to it.

[GrammieGiggles]

Lina. Did you and your daughter just work things out as they came up or did you sit down and talk about things first? Fortunately for me, Sarah is very consientious about picking up after her children and keeping things straight. And the children are not picky eaters.

[Lina]

Heather and I talked out the rules when she moved back home, she knew now she was an adult, and things would be different...I charged her rent...it was not much at all, and she had nothing else to pay for so she was able to save money...she did of course chip in for food...One rule was if we had a difference regarding Damon we would talk about it out of ear shot, and NEVER over ride each other in front of him...I have things I did/do not want touched by little ones and I let Damon Know what is off limits ... daily , such is how it is with small children growing up...I know this sounds strange, but after all she went through with the EX...My biggest rule was he is NOT allowed inside my home...they want to talk, talk outside...

Number one over all, was NEVER to talk about the EX in front Damon, he would soon find out on his own...they always do...

You can never go wrong helping those you love...No, you cannot...My doors are always open to my girls and grand-babies...even if we have to sleep in a tent...LOL...one way or another I will always figure it out when it comes to those I love...

Most things were handled as they came up...

I know a dear girl who's mother told her she was on her own, how sad to turn one's back on the people they should love the most...now I could understand if it was an all the time just want to mooch off of you thing...No Go here...

I watched Damon, we spent a lot of time together (I so do miss that)...

[sweetrose2]

I am sorry that Sarah and the kids are having to go through all of this. I know you are gonna love having the little ones around! I pray that all will go smoothly for all of you. I think it would be a good thing for you and Sarah to sit down and set some boundaries and talk about each others expectations. I know that it will take some tongue biting(it's hard when they grow up and we still wanna tell them what to do or give advise!), but this can be a wonderful bonding time and a time of healing for your dd and grandkids.

My kids (including a few "adopted" kids know that the door is always open here). It sounds like she knew that of you also.

[licia]

When my grandaughter came to live with us with her baby, we were not prepared. She called us 2 hours away and said she would be here. We had been working on the house and had to make ready for the two of them right away. She was so hurt that we weren't able to set parameters when she came, but had to work on them, helping her through the pain of what she had gone through. Even though she was very young, she was quite mature for her age. She immediately got a good job and I kept the little boy (which I loved even though I had to limit so much of what I'd done before, lunches with my friends, garden club, etc.) When things were hard to understand, I tried to remember that my part in all of it was giving them a fresh start and enhancing their lives as much as possible. They lived with us for almost 3 years. I charged her rent and when she had saved up enough to move out, I gave her the rent to start her new life. We have always been very close and at times I've been the go between to keep her and her mother close. I tried to always think if there was a problem, what was the right thing to do - not what I wanted or what they wanted, but make sure it is the right thing - that is best for all. I still help out when she needs it - and she shows that she appreciates what we've done for her. She has told me different times that living with us changed her life for the better and we see that also.

[Never Bored]

Good for you GrannieGiggles that YOU are the one that she turned to in her time of need. I will be hoping that Sarah finds her fresh start that she desperately needs and that she finds comfort for her and her children in your home Goodluck.

[deltamaemae]

Sounds like you are a great mom, she is fortunate to have a friend in you-- One that will help her remember who she is and to be strong/to stand alone again. Sounds like you are ---- you know, the stuff REAL mothers, grandmothers are made of. I know she is grateful. I know the kids will benefit as well.

[Cool1]

Awww, Dodie, you are such a good mommy. I would do the same thing and welcome those kiddos with open arms no matter how much room I had. I hope this goes smoothly for her and of course for you as well. You never know what to anticipate during separations. I will be thinking of you.

[granvil]

Thinking of you Dodie, I hope everything works out for your daughter. Isn't it great that she has such a supportive Mammy to turn to when she needs to ?

[jorlex]

My thoughts and prayers for your family. I pray for strength for your daughter.

[Brenda]

I hope it's for good too Dodie. Ick. If it happens
again or if they still have bruises I'd call. As their
grandma you can do that. Even if your daughter
doesn't go back to him, he will probably try to
fight for custody out of bitterness from what he
sounds like and it would be good to have a record
of what he did.

I know the kids will love staying with you!