You are here

SGS & Summer Horse Camp

Indigo's picture

Wish me luck. I invited SGS-8 & SGS-11 to join the summer week-long pony camp where I work. SO will pick them up at 6:45 am and drive them 75 miles down here to join camp. I will pack them lunch, water bottles, etc … and provide the horse instruction. SO will pick them up at 4pm drive them back every night. My BS-15 will assist as their mentor and shepherd, in addition to the regular teen counselors.

Why? Well, I had a brain-fart.

Recently, SGS’ father went to the ER w/seizures and they were left with health-impaired G-Ma and the siblings (6 kids under the age of 11 living in an apartment) … CPS actually had custody of them the last I heard … remember when the Meth-head SM tried to kill them? … behavioral issues/violence/sex-abuse/expulsion … undiagnosed LD/Spectrum … my SD-31 is AWOL once more and refuses to pay CS. Anyway, you all can color in the picture since it is the same as many of your stories.

The boys were good that last time that I spent time with them – “Yes, ma’am/No, sir,” “Pls, thank you” and really thankful for any dollop of attention. Hooked them up with the Boys & Girls Club which they love. This is one time that I can attest that CPS’ intervention has been of benefit – SM out of the house, boys getting counseling, resources for the family, the father not smoking pot in the house with all the kids, etc.

Things may be better, but I am still nervous. Kids did not ask for an asshat for a Mom and complete dysfunction in their lives. Hoping that this will be a fun experience for them.

EDIT to add: I do not post frequently, but I am invested in this board. Thought I'd add an update to the gambling pages --- success or ?

Comments

Indigo's picture

Remember the story of when I first met them and youngest future-stepgrandson, a darling 4 year old ... looked at me, made a circle/index finger motion and asked if I f*cking (first name) SO. That set me back on my heels, hadn't seen that gesture in decades. Skated right past that one since it wasn't in my 'Ms. Manners repertoire.'

Maxwell09's picture

Helping them find an interest in something or even just to get their mind off of their reality is the best thing anyone could have done for them. You're very thoughtful to do all of this.

Indigo's picture

I'd like them to get sweaty, filthy and saturated with laughing --- so tired they sleep on the way home. There is a certain satisfaction as a kid in drinking from a hose, brushing a horse and figuring out that goats really only have teeth on one jaw

twoviewpoints's picture

It was very kind of you to think of taking them with you.

Sounds like a great week to me if I were still a kid. I spent my summers on my grandparents farm while my parents worked all day. Such wonderful memories.

Indigo's picture

I'm not certain how much is kindness or thoughtfulness as much as assuaging my quiet guilt. I have made different life choices. My boy-man-child has a better chance at success because of those choices.

SO as a grandfather stinks IMHO with his double-standard. I feel badly for the boys who have been essentially invisible for several years while SGD-14 ruled the roost.

I cannot do anything about the bio parents or grandparents these boys have ... but I can offer them some opportunities to have fun and just be kids ...

EDIT: Frued would love me tonight. In the previous paragraph, I typed originally : " ... the boys who have been essentially invisible for several years while SGD-14 ruled the 'rooster.' Just fixed the typo and considered the truth of the statement as first typed.