Teen Pregnancy Forum - the Meeting

Hey everyone, well I went to a meeting with my brother’s attorney, christina’s dad’s attorney and her dad today at 4pm. I was so scared to go in there, but ryan was with me and made me feel so much better. When I walked in there everyone was already there, so me a ryan took the seats closest to my attorney. We began by talking about christina, how she was doing in school, her mental status, etc. Caler(her father) first apologized saying that he was young and stupid, but that he wants to be a part of christina’s life. I guess he has really cleaned himself up, he stopped doing drugs, stopped drinking and is married now to a 21 year old women. I told him I was happy that he cleaned himself up but that I too had grown up. I told him that christina is a blessing, that she is my blessing. I have raised her all on my own without a father figure until now, I turned and looked at ryan and he smiled! (woohoo me! Laughing

) anyway, I went on to say that I work, go to school and raise her. I mentioned all her extra-curricular activities, including her grades and positive social life. Caler said that he didn’t want to take her from me, just wanted visitation rights and to help raise her. His attorney then got really rude and said, its not like a 19 year old has the means to raise a child anyway. That made me so angry. My attorney was like woah wait just one second, kelly is raising christina just fine, I mean look at her she is a happy girl. (he pulled out photos) caler was like wow, she is beautiful kel. You have done so good with her. I said thanks and we continued talking. I told him that I hadn’t told her anything bad about him, but that I never showed her photos and talked about him as little as possible. He thanked me and said that he hopes he can make a good impression on her. So basically, they attorneys agreed that I should try and see how this works. However I put my own conditions in, I said that when I take her over there to meet him, both ryan and myself are aloud to go. The second is that she is not to be told that caler is her father. I don’t want to rush her or flood her mind with things, I want to take it slowly. Caler’s attorney said that my demands were outrageous and unrealistic. But before I could say anything, caler chimed in and said actually no they are not. I am lucky to be able to meet my little girl, so for right now I agree with this, but I want her to know that I am her father soon. I told him that we would talk about it later. So I am taking christina to meet him tomorrow evening, I will meet caler’s new wife and ryan is also going with me. Man this is such a bummer, I don’t want caler around her! I mean I understand that he has changed, but so have i. And I have to stay strong for christina. He isn’t the person I want helping raise my little girl. Ugh, anyway that was my meeting!

Kelly