Some of my story

[Lauren1222]

I’m 30 years old I have been depressed for about 15 years after my stepdad sexually abused me and never really seeked help or stayed consistent with it. I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain but ended up losing my children after going to jail for a misdemeanor and the kids were left in care of my mother and stepfather someone reported they were living with a sex offender and while i was in jail they were taken by the state

Years of trying to regain custody nothing i seemed to do was good enough and my children were openly adopted to a good family I am completely lost it has been almost 3 years since my kids were adopted and almost 5 since they were taken they can still visit me every couple months and rarely call but I am not the druggie mom who doesn’t care about her kids i feel a huge hole in my heart and now the adoptive parents are letting my stepdad around my children !

[KaleidoscopePicture]

My heart goes out to you Lauren. This has to be so hard. Do you have a pretty good relationship with the adopted parents? I encourage you to contact them and let them know what your stepdad did to you. If the state took the children from your mom and stepdad, there should be record of that on file at Child Protective Services. If you could get a copy of that report and show it to the adoptive family, then you could prove to them that he is a sex offender.

I know it hurts when you are trying to do all you can to maintain contact with your kids. Maybe you could write them letters every week and send them little gifts once a month or so. The letters don't have to be long, just let each one know you are thinking about him or her and what you love about them.

I am proud of you for the efforts you are making and for the way you are turning your life around. One thing you might consider: See if there are any Celebrate Recovery groups in your area. It is similar to AA and they are all over the country. It can help to get into a support system, so you are walking your journey with others.

[Lauren1222 in reply to KaleidoscopePicture]

Thanks so much for this It brightened my day I’m seeing the kids August 3rd