Spare Kids

[ZenGum]

Ali, you're a hero.
My angle would be to call the mother, ask for a return date, and if you get one that is reasonable, wait for that, but make sure she knows that if she delays again you'll have to call child protection.
(Seriously, a 5 year old has seen neither parent for a month?? and two high-school boys are left to care for three youngsters? Sheeeesh!!!)
I doubt that Child Protection would remove them, because they (CP) have very limited resources and these kids are doing "okay", in that they are not being beaten, molested or actually starved (I presume).
However, given the recent dreadful event in Sydney (2YO boy killed, apparently by his mother, body found in a suitcase in local pond, after relatives had repeatedly contacted child protection about him being in danger), child protection might be a bit jumpy and worried and remove them just to cover themselves. I doubt it.
Ideally they would arrange a social worker to visit daily or so to check things are okay and maybe help run the household, and thus take a bit of the burden off the older boys.
There might also be some charity services that would pitch in here, I'm thinking salvos or such like. Or some other extended family? I guess that there must be some kind of support available, but the lads are hesitant to ask, or don't know where.

[jester]

It's hard to believe that it's taking 4wks or longer to move. Unless, paperwork, buyers, etc. wasn't completed prior to the daughter going to help mom. Sounds like maybe Mom was needing a break from the "home life" and is taking a little longer than necessary. But, calling home occasionally to try and make-up for not being there. Personally, that's alot of responsibility to put on 16 & 17 yr old trying to finish up tests & what not. Are the younger ones in school? If so, does the school know what's going on? Sounds like you are doing a great job of helping out the boys - but I don't think I would wait until the weekend, to find out if she's coming home - I would call now and get confirmation and let her know your roll in the situation - about helping "her" boys out because of their own "load". Good Luck.

[smurfalicious]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

My angle would be to call the mother...
There might also be some charity services that would pitch in here... Or some other extended family... there must be some kind of support available...

I agree. The children are in no immediate danger. It's not an ideal situation by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't see the need to bring social services in to (ultimately) complicate matters. You don't know mom's deal and until you have an opportunity to speak with her, there's no telling what has been going on with her. I'm sure a single mother five children, who's ex is in jail or wherever and probably not providing any support if that's the case, and who is also taking care of her mother, must have quite enough on her plate.