Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 3/22/2008

Question
My daughter in law left my son & children..I now have guardianship.  After a year and a half, she now wants her kids (2&3 yrs old) so she is finally going to a doctor & taking medication.  I stopped visiting her because she was doing nothing to get well & the group home where she lives advised me that I was enabling her to continue without help.  I recently found out that she told someone that she is playing a game with me & only going to get the kids & she will use them to get my son back.  Should I continue taking the kids to see her?  Is it good for them?  Is it good for her?

Answer
Hi Lori:

After giving your question much thought all I can suggest is you talk with her doctor and allow the courts to decide what is best for the children.  If you have legal guardianship, ask the courts to evaluate the situation.  You can't rely on "someone said she said".  Too often messages and intentions get skewed in the translation.  As for her and your son, I'm afraid that will have to be between the two of them. Discuss his interest in the children and see what he thinks.  Yes, it is good for her to see them if it encourages her to continue getting help.  If the goal for the children is to eventually return them home, than it is good for them also.
                        Joyce A. Anthony