A woman shares how exposure to some of the understandings that I often share in this blog made a difference for one family.
There had been a family of 6 (and the mom was pregnant, so really 7 of them) living in a van. For quite a while I brought them things- mostly food and pull ups/wipes (4 kids under 6 years old). The mom would ghost me sometimes and then message me again with needs, which I would fulfill.
My coworkers told me multiple times to report the family to Child Protective Services due to the children living in the car. Because of this (all things adoption) group and all your emotional labor, I didn’t. I was very worried about the kids being taken from their loving mother.
The story is long but ends like this- the mom left her abusive boyfriend (I didn’t know he was abusive), was able to get a grant through community resources and now has an apartment with her 5 children. She gets free childcare so she can work. It’s so beautiful.
I look back and am soooooo thankful to this (all things adoption) group. I really would have thought removing those children from their mom would have been best for them. It clearly would have been awful, and their story has turned into something beautiful. Your time, words, emotional labor- it does help. Thank you, thank you.
Missing Mom 