Another SIL rant--UPDATE
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minemoz1 · 07-05-2005, 02:42 PM

UGH! I've said it before and I'll say it again, my SIL is a piece of work. She was planning on moving locally, but some unfortunate circumstances happened and she was going to stay w/ a friend and takeover her lease. Now, she is moving into city, an iffy area on the northwest side of Chicago about 45 minutes away from us (I was helping look after my niece and nephew after school and on weekends). She taking over another friends lease. She works in the same suburb that she lives in and will add about 1 hour onto her commute.

I asked her about the school system (as DN was doing horribly in 7th grade in a very good school system) and she's considering sending them to private school as the Chicago Public Schools are pretty bad. I think she won't be able to afford to do this as the fees are over $300 a month per child. So, my DN and DN will be attending a low income middle school that ranks in the 50% tile and has over 15% students english as a 2nd language. They will have wear uniforms due to the gang activity in the area. I just have a bad feeling about this and feel my DN is going to have major problems there. HOpefully, this won't last more than 6 months and she'll be back in the area by Christmas.

I need major pixie dust for my niece and nephew as this is their 3rd school in 1 year.

THanks

UPDATE-- Well it's already starting to turn into a fiasco. It turns out that the landlord isn't even in town and hasn't run any paperwork, credit check, etc. My SIL has been thinking that she could move in this week all by word of mouth. From what she has hinted about her credit, I don't think that will happen. We may have to co-sign for her on any place she gets (which is a really scary thought)

DH was helping her move last night from her previous home (it seems she had a falling out with the friend she was staying with) into a storage unit, she is staying with the friends she thought she was going to sublet from in the city. We are trying to talk her into staying in the area. She could get something for what she would be paying in the city. We have also offered to have the kids stay here at our place while she looks (the kids are 13 and 11). I'm going to ask my DH if it would be alright for her to stay here for a month (we have a small 2BR townhome) so she can save $ for a deposit before school begins. I think DH is going to sit her down and talk to her this weekend when we have the kids. This is just par for the course with her.

debsta922 · 07-05-2005, 03:11 PM

I hope everything works out for them

my2girls · 07-05-2005, 03:28 PM

Michelle:
Being that I live in the same area - where in Chicago are they moving to? Will they be going to a Chicago Private School?

DawnDenise · 07-05-2005, 03:44 PM

Sending tons of

!!!

Hope all works out!

minemoz1 · 07-05-2005, 03:55 PM

They will be living near the Logan Square area. Around I-90 and Diversey. From my friends in the city, the area is regentrifying into an up and coming Lincoln Park like area, but still has it's rough spots. The kids will be alone after school until 8-9PM depending on what time she works to.

I just don't see how this is a good move for her financially especially if she is going to try and send the kids to a private school. She could rent a REALLY nice townhome in the current area for the additional cost of private schooling.

Like everything she seams to do, this will probably blow up in her face and she'll be back in the burbs hopefully by Christmas. But, it's another rough spot for the kids. New city, new friends, new school and a whole new set of circumstances that could get them into lots of trouble.

my2girls · 07-05-2005, 04:09 PM

I think that if she were to put her options down on paper and make a pros and cons list, she would see that maybe she should stay where she is and pay for nicer living conditions. If they kids are happy in the school and doing well, why move them?
I'm also not a fan of leaving your kids home alone,especially at night. Maybe I'm just naive, but things are not like they used to be when I was growing up. My brothers and I could disappear for hours and they wouldn't think nothing of it. Now, I don't even let my DD (9) walk to school by herself and we live 3 blocks away. Alot can happen in 3 blocks.
I'm so sorry that she is going through this and that it will hurt the kids to most.

that everything will work out and that your sister in law will figure out what's best for her and her kids.

hktmom · 07-05-2005, 04:51 PM

If only life would just go smoothly all the time....

Heather

jimmymac · 07-05-2005, 03:24 PM

Man, that's rough on a kid

**DrDolphin** · 07-06-2005, 02:05 PM

Lots more

but I would be VERY careful about co-signing on anything....

amanda31599 · 07-05-2005, 03:48 PM

I live on the NW side of Chicago...where exactly are they going and what school? I don't know what religion they are but my DD goes to a Catholic school not far (I would NEVER put her in a Chicago Public School) and it's $300 a month for her but with one extra kid it's only about $340 or so. Let me know...send a PM if you'd like.

-Amanda

loobyoxlip · 07-05-2005, 05:54 PM

for them. Doesn't sound like the best situation but I hope they can make the most of it!

Teresa · 07-05-2005, 11:29 PM

Michele, is there any way that you and your DH could take them? We have done this for some of our neices when the schools in their area weren't good. Things improved, and they went home after a year (a home in a better school system)

**Colexis Mom** · 07-06-2005, 05:23 AM

joyjoy · 07-06-2005, 10:21 AM

You are very kind and compassionate. I like that you are willing to take them in (especially the kids) but I definitely wouldn't co-sign for anything. This always ends up bad. Good luck to you.

minemoz1 · 07-06-2005, 01:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You are very kind and compassionate. I like that you are willing to take them in (especially the kids) but I definitely wouldn't co-sign for anything. This always ends up bad. Good luck to you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I don't think we would. I'd give her the $ for the deposit before I did that.