Hi all,

I just need some encouragement. My 3 year old's dad is going to court on Nov. 18th to fight 4 felony charges of indecent exposure. It's his 3rd offense. I have fought tooth and nail to get court-ordered supervised visitation so that he is not alone with my Megan, so that's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried that if he is convicted and goes to jail, what will happen with her? She could spend the next 4 or more years (that's what my lawyer said will be jail time) without her dad. And I will spend it with no child support. I don't think Virginia pays out support like some states. Without his child support, I can barely make ends meet. I can't find a roommate because I do have 2 kids. I'm just scared of what will happen. I'm not sure what to believe as far as the charges go. I just need some support... Thanks all!

Personally, as soon as he goes to jail, I would file for all of his rights to be removed. I'm not the type who believes every child needs two parents - as long as she has a good male influence in her life. Felony indecent exposure offenders are not the type of people who should be around children (just my thoughts). I don't know virginia laws as far as support go though.

I plan on revoking all of his parental rights when (and even if) he goes to jail. I'm sure it won't be hard to find a positive male influence. I'm more worried about what the lack of support will do to us. I'm scared I'll have to move back to SC and let my parents help. (they won't help me in any way unless I move back. I don't want to move back at all, mostly because of them)

When I became a mother for the second time, my (now X) husband was in jail. I ended up moving back in with my parents for 6 months, and found that it was the best decision I ever made. Though I am supposed to be getting child support, my X-husband is behind $3100. (We go back to court this Thursday about that). You will find a way to support yourself, we all do. It may not be easy, but think about it this way: would you rather be pinching pennies or worrying about whether or not your child is OK while with your X?

I do think about those things, and moving is an absolute last resort. All my family is 300 miles away, so I would be uprooting the family for that. I'm determined not to let that happen, and I know I can't get any assistance from the state. I'm just not sure if I can make it or not.