Chapter 15 - MARCUS’S CONSEQUENCES
Marcus had not struck Elsie.
He had failed her repeatedly.
Child-welfare professionals examined the pattern.
Knowingly exposing a child to frightening “conditioning,” withholding prescribed accommodations, and allowing Helena to interfere with care raised serious parenting concerns.
There was no mother to shift custody to.
Natalie was dead.
I did not become Elsie’s parent automatically because I was angry.
Instead:
Safety plan.
Professional parenting supervision.
No Helena contact without approval.
Developmental education.
Therapy.
Independent care-management oversight.
For three months, Marcus’s unsupervised caregiving periods were limited while professionals assessed whether he could follow Elsie’s plan consistently.
I spent more time with her.
So did a trusted nanny.
Marcus hated the restrictions.
May you like
Good.
Then he learned from them.
