MOMS' STORIES


What made you decide to apply to the Residential Parenting Program?

Why I wanted to be in the RPP is because I wanted a chance to prove to myself and to him [her infant son]…because I’m obligated to him, I created this life. And he needs me. I’m all he has. I started to really think about that. And that was a big awakening. I just want to be the best mommy I can be. In this program we have privileges too, both moms and the kids, to bond. The rewards that come from this for both of us are monumental… are great. It’s awesome. It’s hard and I’m tired a lot and I’m learning that I get frustrated just like everybody else, but it has been a great opportunity. And I didn’t want to lose him. I didn’t want to let him go out there and wonder, “Who is my mom? Why didn’t she love me? Why didn’t she keep me?” I’m obligated…that’s my job as a parent. I couldn’t just let him go. I couldn’t. My heart wouldn’t. There’s no way. I had to fight. Even if I wouldn’t have gotten accepted, I would have done everything I could to try. At that point then, that’s all I could do.

How did you feel when you were pregnant and waiting to hear if you were accepted into the Residential Parenting Program?

Scared! Terrified. Worried. I was really nervous, anxious. I wanted to know…wanted to know right now! But you gotta wait, you gotta be processed. They do a real thorough background check and everything. I passed. I can’t imagine letting him go. I would die without him. That’s the way I feel. I love him so much. And I want to be a good mom…with all my heart…and give him a good start.



A Mother's Story

I am an only child. We were outdoorsy people—camping, hunting, fishing—but my parents were drug dealers who were busted when I was three years old for big-time cocaine and a lot of money. There were a lot of people in and out of the house all the time on drugs. When I was 18, some guy was arguing with my mom and dad over drugs. He shot my mom and dad and assaulted me on the same bed where my mom and dad both were lying dead. I was brought up on that. I don’t want my children to go through and live through a lot of the situations I went through with my mom and dad. We had good times. But the drugs, the people, the chaos, just everything was pretty screwed up. I want a normal life, whatever normal is. I mean, I want to have a job. I want to do things with my children. You know, I want to be able to go out and go bowling and to have the money to do that. I want to walk in the park. I want to just do things with my children and not have to hide. That’s a big thing, not have to hide.

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