Monday, November 19, 2012

Congratulations! It's a Boy!

Well, changes keep happening--emotionally, financially, and within my family.

Somewhere in the middle of it, I became the parent of a bouncing nine-year-old boy! He is legally my grandson, but with a mother in prison for the next 14 years and an unknown father, he is in desperate need of a mother. A placement with half-siblings did not work out, through no fault of his. So enter, Grace!

In keeping with the fact that this is a financial blog, I'm going to pretty much stick with reporting the financial repercussions of adding a fourth grader to one's family.

First is the frantic shopping to set up a boy's bedroom. I reared five daughters. What do I know about boys? Apparently young male decor consists of posters (cars, The Avengers, and monster trucks). Two hundred dollars and several posters, bedspreads, curtains and rugs later, he has a 'boy's room.'

Then there is the eight-hour round trip to go get him, meet with caseworkers, teachers and foster parents, stay overnight at a motel with an indoor pool (It's November in the Pacific NW--of course it is raining!) so he can share a fun activity with his half-siblings, and dinner for fourteen people (I was the only one with money, so guess who paid.)

But I did have some financial luck. Orbitz had sent me 10% off coupon if I booked through them. I not only did that, but I signed on to Orbitz using the My Points website so I picked up points there. Then my age worked in my favor because the motel had a senior rate. And gas prices are coming down. It's sad to think that $3.29 a gallon looks cheap to me, but it does. This will be a foster care placement in the beginning, so I will get foster care payments. This is a darn good thing because virtually all of it will go to after-school/summer daycare.

Not only are the times a-changing, but so is my budget.

I'm also having to rethink my retirement plans.

I will be 71 when he turns 18. My goal was to retire at age 69. I'm sticking with that for the moment, but it will not be a surprise if changes are in store for the plan.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck!

Debt-Free said...

Good luck to you both as you adjust to the changes in your lives.

He's right at one of my favourite ages!

Juhli said...

You are a loving Grandma. Reach out and ask for help from friends, church or other groups and remember that what he needs most is a consistent loving "parent" who helps him become a good man. I raised two sons and the basics are the same in terms of teaching values, helping set goals for the future and doing well in the present. The differences are superficial as we are all human.

Terry said...

You are a wonderful person Grace, family first, I would

Terry said...

Ok trying again as blogger cut me off! You did the right thing. Family is most important, God bless you, I would've done the same.

Sharon said...

Wow. You are an angel, saint, well, something holy. :)! I'm sure it will be a blessing, boys are great!

DeeDee said...

Congratulations! How exciting, and how challenging. You'll return to the days when you went to work to REST LOL.

DeeDee
www.KidNeedsAKidney.blogspot.com

Susan said...

I'm inspired by how open you are to life and love. Good luck to you and your little man.

Anonymous said...

Holy life change!!! Good luck to you Grace. How exciting :) My son is 9

Louise said...

Grace thats wonderful!

Linda P. said...

He's a lucky nine-year-old!

Anonymous said...

What a lucky little boy to have a Grandmother who loves him and is willing to take care of him. Enjoy the time with him, and your right boys are very different from girls...I know I have a grandson also.

Coleen

Revanche said...

Wow, that is a big change! Best of luck to you and your new addition.

LC said...

He is fortunate to have Grace in his life. Blessings and hopes for needed resources to come your way.

Living Almost Large said...

Good luck and keep us updated

asgreen said...

I'm always impressed by you! Such a wonderful and loving person! Good luck with everything. I'm sure you are in for some fun with a boy for the first time!

Anonymous said...

Blessing to you, Grace, for showing unconditional love to that grandson. He will look back years from now and know that someone was in his corner. Way to go, Grace.

Gary

deedo said...

Oh my goodness. Bless you a gazillion times! My SO was raised by his grandmother, and I have students as well, where a grandparent stepped in to fill those BIG shoes, to be a constant and stable home for these children, who no fault of their own, are adrift. I know you haven't posted in awhile, and hope things are going well for you and your boy!

Louise said...

hi Grace, just dropping by to say hello and hope all is well, I can imagine you are very busy at the moment!

Unknown said...

Just at the point of thinking about the ins and outs of retirement . I have rarised three girls .
Taking on a 9 year old boy, who has been kicked around some is a huge undertaking. I think the pros may out weight the cons but you are going to have a lot of ups and downs.Keep blogging you experiencers This is going to be a roller coster ride. your blogger friends will want to know how things are going for you and the new guy in your life/

Anita said...

YOU are an Angel!

May God bless you with all that you and your grandson need to have a wonderful life together.