My home is about to become a shelter (Katrina)

This is true. Their loss is compounded, too more than you can imagine. Their father was a police officer who got shot. The bullet went through his eye and part of his brain, but damaged his mind. He was trying to kill their mother after he "recovered" so she had just left him two months ago. :( Their life is completely in the toilet right now.
 
Amy - I can only echo what has been said - I admire you. You have a huge heart, and I can only tell you that I think you are a fabulous person.
 
Amy, I am just guessing that getting any rules out of the way at the beginning will set the tone of your household routines. I don't think it's out of line for you to do so.

I also agree with everyone that you must be commended for taking in your family. It will not be easy, so when there comes a time that you are about to become resentful, remind yourself it is a not permanent situation.

Good luck to you lady. BTW, Another get-together Sept 24th for dinner and dancing afterwards, just us girls. Try to join us. You know mine & Shonie's email.

Marla
 
Amy,
I agree with the wonderful advice that has been given so far. I also want to add that you are a wonderful person for helping your family in this way. The fact that you are so concerned shows what a kind and caring person you are as well.:)
Cath :)
 
Wow Amy, how tragic! The kids in particular are going to be seriously stressed. Good Luck! The only things I can think of right now is maybe to split the bathroom shower time to half in the morning and half at night. I am a family of 5 with 1 bathroom and that's how we manage. Make sure they have a place to put dirty laundry and clean clothes. That many people will make a lot of laundry! (unless they have nothing??:-( ) Start cutting coupons! :eek: Maybe you can get one of those buckets of detergent at Sam's. Oh yeah, you will go through a ton of toilet paper. Maybe have some rules for dirty dishes - put them in the dishwasher when through eating, etc. Marnie
 
Amy,

Is there anything you need to enable you to bear this extra burden? It occurred to me that your cousin may have lost her financial resources as well as her home. Perhaps her or her children will need clothes or help obtaining school supplies. If there is anything I can do I'd be happy to help out.

Michele
 
I am also thinking that they will be eligible for help from the many charities that are organizing hurricane relief. Red Cross and Salvation Army for starters, but also try your local government to see what type of help they may have available, and also maybe your local church or synagogue or even the local school system. People are wanting to help survivors of this storm--there's no reason that you and your family have to bear the burden alone.
 
Bless you Amy.

My sister has 6 kids who are also well behaved but I couldn't imagine them all living with me! :eek:
 
Amy, if you would PM or email me with your address, I would like to send your cousin a gift card to Target or Wal-Mart or whatever store is in your area. I promise nothing will come bad from you sending me your address! LOL! I am a "safe" person!

Maybe she can use the card to get any school supplies she may need or you all can use it for things the house hold will need...like toliet paper, paper plates, etc...

I know it may not be much, but I would like to do a little to help, if you will let me. Thank you!
 
Bless you Amy! You have a "huge" heart. Renee, that is a good idea!! If you want send me your address too.:)

Dallas
 
It's a really good idea. Would it be possible to set up some sort of Catheites fund drive? I'd like to help, too, but I doubt Amy wants to start giving out her home address to a bunch of people.
 
What a wonderful idea. Count me in. Maybe Amy could establish a PO box then we can mail gift cards. whatd'ya think?

Michele
 
Can you send gift "cards" by email from Target/Walmart, etc? I know that I've gotten electronic gift certificates from Amazon before. That way Amy (who probably has her hands full of things to do as it is) wouldn't have to work at setting up a PO box--she'd just have to post an email address for us to send gift certificates to. Just a thought...we have to hear from Amy, of course.
 
Bless you and your family for their generosity. I only wished I lived closer so I could do more than donations. Doesn't seem quite enough when you look at the devastation.

Anyway, ground rules are going to be a "Must Have" item. I would suggest sitting down with the adults and talking about how to keep the peace and share the resources. Even loving families can have spats when overcrowded conditions exist. I have heard that large families actually post schedules that help maintain order.

I think the homeschooling space is a wonderful idea. It will give them a chance to get out of the house too.

Good luck with this. I'm sure it will be a challenge.
 
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