[shycar]

Ok let me get this straight. Mom is about to get child back, but family wants to get custody just in case. If mom has extended visits, she is then really close to get her child back. Why would you step in to take custody. I would wait on the lawyer, becouse what if she can parent. What if this was the push she needed the help she needed. I have seen so many parents do amazing jobs after the child is returned, they just needed help and learn to be parents. I understand she might say I dont know if I could do this, but gee every parent say that. I still say it, but that does not mean I can not parent. She is probably scared now that she is close to getting child back. I would just support her and be there for her when she needs it or when she needs a break. I would not talk about getting custody to her, becouse later that could come back that family pressured her, I have seen it happen. I would wait and see how she does, you might be surprised how good momma she can be if given by chance.

About the visit, if family showed up for visit, family was told they were not allowed. I would tell sw imidiatly, I dont know who they are and what history they have, just becouse your family does not give the right to show up without permission. Visits are court order, the Judge has to give permision for family to visit. SW and GAL usually have to agree. I had one time the Dad show up, Judge gave order that dad needed to start going to court to get his case plan before visit, he was kicked out and was not allowed to see baby. Yup no babysitting until fingerprints. My hubby works for the goverment too and they do extended backgroud check, but we still needed the fingerprints to foster. I would tell the sw you want it done that way if mom needed a break while extended visit you could help out with that. But I would not take the child for long periods of time becouse it could be said you are preventing bonding between child and parent. Just a suggestion.

Good luck, I do hope mom can parent becouse that is best choice especially since she is so close.