[RobinKay]

Happy, I am so sorry you're are hurting and worried for your children. I do hope you can build a relationship with Aunty so you can stay in the children's lives. And maybe placement with her might not happen. Living in a basement does not sound like an appropriate home--

We were the relatives, and my dh and I love our ds dearly. He was our nephew prior to being taken into care. We did not see him often due to dh's job, but we never didn't think of him as a family member, we always loved him. He is doing great with us, by the way.

You may want to read the Reunification with relatives thread on the foster to adopt board. It's really long, and presents lots of viewpoints.

Please PM me if you just want to talk it out with someone who has been on the "other side" of your painful situation.

(((((hugs)))))