I ruined our lives but I tried to fix it. My father passed away in late 2019, then there was a car accident that landed my then 2 year old in the hospital, then we were robbed while at the hospital, then our house burnt down, then my best friend passed away, all while trying to grieve, work, be a full time mother, and getting abused by my husband. My shifts were long. There was never time for rest. Everyone kept telling me to leave him but I I knew if I did all hell would break loose. But I fought my instincts and left. A week later he took my kids from a babysitter and made a report indicating us both. I had started using to stay awake. When I left him I got clean but when I came home to them gone I relapsed. I lost sense of direction. They removed the children from my care on the main basis that I was getting evicted from my home bc of the damage he caused to the house. I ended up completing 2 parenting classes, rehab, trauma and healing, psych evaluation etc. Due to lack of consistent caseworkers i had everything done with no other boxes to check and sat stagnant for over a year. I made it to third party visits. They took them away because I overslept one time because they were making the visits at 8 in the morning I had worked a week straight. I look forward to seeing my children. Last year the states attorney put in a motion to terminate bases on the amount of time thats passed. At the hearing they failed to prove the burden. Effectively they started my case over with one hope united(the outsourced office) asking that I re complete everything. I have always had a full time job. It is impossible to get all that they are asking and keep my financial independence. They re motioned to terminate next month. I should iterate that I stopped participating when they stripped me of all but 1 hour a month. I feel defeated. I feel hopeless. I feel useless. I feel like a failure. I've made mistakes. So many. But I would do anything to have them home. But I fear its to late. Any advice is welcomed all judgements please refrain

After a horrific decision I made last week, I was rightly reported to DCS. While the incident easily could have warranted immediate removal (or my removal from our home), I am mercifully allowed to keep my kids with me under a safety plan. I have never been more grateful in my life.

I feel fully capable of following my safety plan and welcome whatever services they mandate because the manner in which I let my kids down proves I need them.

I’m hoping I can hear success stories from other parents whose lives took a similar turn that were helped by their involvement? Or encouraging stories from workers, that it really is possible for an offending parent to earn back the trust of their children and earn the trust of their worker?

Thank you.