History:  GSD-15 was raised by SO for the first 8 years, so she is much more a daughter to him than a granddaughter.  SO, myself, BS & GSD made a quartet --- the kids are within 18 months of each other. Recently, GSD lived with her bio-dad & SM in a town 1 1/2 hours away. SO maintained weekly visitation. SD-30+, her mother, is AWOL again with no address in a neighboring state.

GSD-15 has troubles.  Craptastic parents are likely 90% of it. Anyway, she was admitted to a state psychiatric hospital for a few weeks, then was transferred to an out-of-state teen home. 

Last phone call, she mentioned that she was doing so well ... not involved in the latest riot, had no demerits or write-ups & she might be released in August.  Where will she go? Her bio-dad & SM are moving across the country next month to live 'rent-free' for 6 months while a step-sibling is away so that they can save $ on rent. Seriously.

SD-30+ is AWOL in another state.  Indigent. Drug/alcohol? Boyfriend hopping. No job. No residence.

Where will GSD go? Who can offer a stable, relatively normalized home? Is that the plan by the 'Powers That Be?'  Her bio-dad/SM are moving to the other coast. There is no family nearby except for us.  We are old-tooties. Old-tooties who pay their bills & have paid-for cars & homes. I'm still raising my boy & will not have extra craziness around if I have a choice .... Her issues are well over our pay grade.  Told SO tonight:  " I do not want to lose her.  I may not wish to live with her, but I do not want to have her slip through the cracks."

I hate this helpless feeling. So, we're likely going to drive out and visit her in a week. It's about 550 miles.  Perhaps get SO into some counseling sessions with her.  SO's late wife died about the same time that the State stepped in to re-unite the biofamily, so I'll bet GSD has abandonment issues there, too.

I hate the feeling of responsibility without authority.  Not the 'real' parent or grandparent so you can't call bullshit as loudly as you'd like. Someone is always left holding the bag. SD-30+ has messed up so many lives without even trying ... It's the kids that are left fractured by their parent's choices that just stinks.

Just grousing ..