The thing that I can’t stop thinking about is that my life has changed pretty radically in the last sixteen years–since my oldest nephew was born. And, knock on wood, it seems like that change is for the better. I’ve got incredible friends and such wonderful things have happened to me, things that, honestly, sometimes hardly seem real.
My brother is still hardly supporting himself, not able to provide for this coming child, and still living with the grandparent of one of his children. Again, for the third time.
This isn’t progress.
I couldn’t even say “congratulations” or ask any of the normal “when is she due?” questions. I was just silently screaming “Are you fucking kidding me? Do you not know by now how this fucking happens?”
I love my nephews so much. And I hate how hard their lives are when it comes to my brother. And he’s going to do this shit to another child.
It just breaks my heart for them and for him.
Your brother sounds like my step-nephew. He’s had 4 kids with 3 different women and hasn’t ever really been able to support any of them. My sis-in-law(who is caring for his 2 oldest) is just hoping he stays with the current wife(?) so he won’t have more kids.
And the rare times I see him, I just bite my tongue to keep from mentioning birth control methods to him.
I haven’t met this new girl. I know my brother really likes her, but I don’t know anything about her. I am just hoping she is awesome and competent and has her shit together, because she’s going to need it.
Hell’s bells. I don’t know what to say to you. I hope she’s up to it, which isn’t fair exactly, but like you said, it’s what’s going to be her reality. And that of her child. Bless everybody involved’s hearts. For real.
Tiny Cat Pants 
The thing that I can’t stop thinking about is that my life has changed pretty radically in the last sixteen years–since my oldest nephew was born. And, knock on wood, it seems like that change is for the better. I’ve got incredible friends and such wonderful things have happened to me, things that, honestly, sometimes hardly seem real.
My brother is still hardly supporting himself, not able to provide for this coming child, and still living with the grandparent of one of his children. Again, for the third time.
This isn’t progress.
I couldn’t even say “congratulations” or ask any of the normal “when is she due?” questions. I was just silently screaming “Are you fucking kidding me? Do you not know by now how this fucking happens?”
I love my nephews so much. And I hate how hard their lives are when it comes to my brother. And he’s going to do this shit to another child.
It just breaks my heart for them and for him.
Your brother sounds like my step-nephew. He’s had 4 kids with 3 different women and hasn’t ever really been able to support any of them. My sis-in-law(who is caring for his 2 oldest) is just hoping he stays with the current wife(?) so he won’t have more kids.
And the rare times I see him, I just bite my tongue to keep from mentioning birth control methods to him.
I haven’t met this new girl. I know my brother really likes her, but I don’t know anything about her. I am just hoping she is awesome and competent and has her shit together, because she’s going to need it.
Hell’s bells. I don’t know what to say to you. I hope she’s up to it, which isn’t fair exactly, but like you said, it’s what’s going to be her reality. And that of her child. Bless everybody involved’s hearts. For real.