A man and his wife were left in a tricky situation when they were tasked with taking in the woman’s two nephews and her niece. Although the man was willing to do it, he had some stipulations.
A man and his wife were in their late 20s and had been married for over two years when she came home one day and told him that they would be taking in her sister’s three children.
Although the man was shocked that his wife had agreed to do so without asking him, he quickly realized it would happen with or without him agreeing to it, so he decided it was best to embrace it.
A sister and two little brothers lying on a green sofa | Source: Getty Images
However, he knew that there was one thing he could not deal with, and he informed his wife of this. She was horrified to hear what he was suggesting, and a week-long argument ensued, leaving the man confused.
What Happened with the Children?
A short while before the man posted on Reddit, his wife’s sister had been found guilty of dealing illicit substances to support her addiction. She would be sentenced that week, and it seemed it would be a long sentence because it was not her first offense.
A gavel hammer | Source: Getty Images
However, the real problem came when considering her three children: two boys aged four and a girl aged fourteen. Because their mother would likely receive a long sentence, they would need somewhere to go, and nobody on the woman’s side of the family was willing to take them in.
Unbeknownst to the man, the woman offered their home as a place for the children to stay. When his wife told him what was happening, he was shocked as he thought his wife’s parents would take their grandchildren in.
Two sad little boys with a suitcase | Source: Getty Images
Although the man was initially hesitant, he realized it was the right thing to do as they were the most financially stable, and it would be the best place for the children to go. However, he made some vital stipulations.
What Did the Man Ask For?
The man told his wife that if they were taking the children in, they would be adopting them as he didn’t want people looking over their shoulders at how they were raising the children. However, it was another stipulation that resulted in a week-long fight.
An adoption application form | Source: Getty Images
While the man was willing to take in the woman’s two nephews, he told her her niece was not welcome to join her brothers. He explained:
“The girl has gone [past] the point of no return. She’s been suspended from school several times for things like fighting and smoking illegal substances on school grounds. She’s also stolen from us and other family members. She’s dating a gang member who was arrested on a home invasion charge but was released because it was his first time and his age.”
Teenage girl rolling her eyes | Source: Getty Images
The man felt it was not fair to risk their financial and personal safety for the girl, but his wife argued that they couldn’t throw her away, saying if she didn’t live with them, she would go into foster care.
The man countered that if they didn’t take any of the children in, they would all be in foster care. He felt he was not equipped to raise children with such baggage and admitted he felt like he was watching his life spin out of control.
Two little boys smiling | Source: Getty Images
He also felt it would be easier to control the young boys as they were still at an impressionable age where they could teach them right from wrong and how they wanted things done in their home.
A social worker from Child Protective Services soon commented on the post and gave the man some advice. The social worker told the man that his demands might not be realistic and that even the boys would need “extensive therapy.”
A little boy and his father in therapy | Source: Getty Images
The social worker also clarified that the man could ask to adopt the children, but he might not be granted the opportunity. However, the social worker agreed about the man not wanting to take his wife’s niece in. They assured:
“If you do not feel you can care for her, you shouldn’t. But that shouldn’t stop you from being a resources for the 2 kids that you are capable of protecting.”
A mother and father relaxing on the couch with their son | Source: Getty Images
The social worker gave some more advice and then told the man he should reconsider everything he had said to his wife based on all the knowledge they had imparted before they made any decisions.
