Hi,
For anyone who doesn't know this half of Klubear, I am ex-partner/very-close-friend to a Dad in distress.
Following a great deal of trauma, - ex wife stealing children due to Jealousy and using them as pawns-...now that she has achieved her goal of splitting us up.. she no longer wants the kids.
God knows the emotional damage these girls will go through as repercussion... but between us we have arranged avenues of counselling for them both.
For the time the girls (aged 12 and just turned 7) have lived with mum, Miss 7 has not been to school. This has obviously become a great concern to teachers and the principal, who has contacted Dad on several occasions and understanding the situation offers dad full support and is writing references in case they are needed for any court involvement.
While this is fantastic, it does not motivate mum at all, she doesn't give a rats a*$e...though she is always home the time school starts..
Dad has tried to negotiate some sort of arrangement with mum, for the girl's sakes..the importance of mum being part of their lives..but this has come to no avail.
After meeting with the principal Monday and getting both girls off to school...he returned them to mum's house Monday night...only to today receive a text message saying that she couldn't be bothered getting out of bed and miss 7 was staying home again.
Tonight he took them from her again with intention to commit entirely to their welfare and not just their wants.
On the phone to me he sounded lost, though saying he was sure of him self..rambled on and on over a number of issues, none with any definite answers.
He works full time as a manager, and is well respected.
Work is the only social life he has while children are in his care, mum never takes them for weekends, or even sleepovers. It is also imperative to his self esteem and sanity!!!! These girls run rings around him, ...work is the only distraction. Aside from that, mum left them in a load of debt.
The dilemma I am putting forth to you all, and sincerely hope someone has some kind of certain answer is- Dad's now having to decide if he needs to give up work in order to ensure his kids get to school.
They are now in different schools with miss 12 going to high school. She is responsible enough to get herself there, but the effect all of this trauma has had on her has made her 'naughty' and not to be trusted...let alone a big responsibility to have to get her sister to school as well.
After school is all arranged...it is getting miss 7 to school that poses problem.
Dad has asked principal what can be done, and he told dad he would ask around.
There must be some option??? Some organisation that does before school care?...
I am really stuck on this, and would like to find options ASAP> before Dad gives up his job.
Any advice would be much appreciated
!!!!
Tam

Hi Klubear.

Depending on where home is, there are usually organisations that run "Before" as well as After School care. Part of the package is that the children get dropped to school.

The other possibility would be to find another parent willing to escort the child to school in the morning.

G'day Tam, I agree with OneAdad. A parent of one of the childs friends may be able to help. Perhaps a few weeks of work for dad to get the kids into a routine may help too. It sounds like the School is onside so they may be able to give dad a call each morning to let him know the girls are there. It will also help if dad takes an active interest in home work and such. This will reasure the girls that dad really does care about them and their education. I'm not saying that dad doesn't already do this, just that an extra effort may be needed in the short term to boost the girls confidence.

Best of luck.

DC