[SezzySue]

Hi, my name is Sarah. I am the middle child of 5 kids. I am almost 21 and married a year this coming October. Now I grew up in the same house and these two until a couple years ago. My younger two siblings are ages 14 (boy) and 5 (girls). I am still very close for both of them.

My situation: My mom got married and and he has pulled her into bankruptcy. My mom quit her job and delivers papers in the early morning. This job is wear and tear on her car, which she has no insurance for. My stepdad can't keep a job and so they have no money. They never have food in the house, and the house is a disaster. My mom sits on her butt all day long and never pays attention to them. My sister isn't allowed to do anything if it annoys my mom so she watches TV all day. Now my mom decided to home school my sister, and we know this will end with disaster. My sister never gets to play with other kids, or even play outside. My brother does track and football, but he never has lunch at school. They do not have the money to give him lunch money or to food to make a lunch. This means he has maybe 1 meal a day with maybe a snack or two. There is no structure and it is horrible.

Everyone has tried to put sense in my mom, but she justs gets upset. I even offered to take both of them for the summer and she said no. She is always asking for money and she won't even get a job.

MY ?: Do you think it is right for me to be calling social services and trying to get custody of my siblings? They deserve better and I want to give it to them. My husband and I are military so we have stable jobs. I can afford to house them, cloth them, and even feed them. Is this something I should persue? As for me their welfare is more important right now then my moms pride. I will take them in a heartbeat and if my mom stops taking to me, its ok.

I just need some advise and perspective, thanks everyone.

Sarah