bought a toddler bed frame on CRAIGSLIST, and

Brideofranken

I think I got a steal- I have to admit that I didn't bother to look in stores first, b/c when I mentioned buying one my bff was shocked that I hadn't considered CL FIRST-( I gotta remember to check it more- I really sort of enjoyed the whole process...)

anyway.

the guy I bought the frame from, was a dad in the burbs (way out burbs, with traffic it took me over an hour to get there!!- but only like 38 minutes to get back)

his wife had just signed over custody and deserted the family! These kids were so freaking sweet...and when I pulled up they were riding bikes in their driveway- I got out of my car and they ran up and wrapped themselves around my legs....? (they were 3 and 4.5-is that normal? my kid must be super shy...)

They were moving across the country to be near his family, b/c he said he just couldn't raise 3 young kids by himself, and he was so sad to leave their neighborhood (which was in castle rock- and it was BEAUTIFUL...holy crap if it wasn't in the middle of nowhere I would SO need to live there!)

HOW could their mom just take off? I left there with my awesome new toddler bed frame and a heavy, heavy heart..man..there may be some days I feel like running away from home, but I hope I would never really go..

Jen2004

Aw sounds like a nice family, you should keep his email or phone number exchange parenting adivce and what not.

I got the kiddos a really nice FP climber play toy this summer. The guy got it last year and it had to easily had to have cost 250 and I got it for 40. DH was working so my Dad went with me to pick it. This thing still looks brand new and totally sturdy. They were moving too, and it was too hard to take with them.

BrainySmurfette

The poor kids, though.  I have a few students (HS) whose mothers left them, and I've seen how much it hurts the kids.  On the positive, some of the single dads have a raised some pretty awesome kids.

VandRicky

I was raised by a single dad because my mother just picked up and left one day (I was 9), and he was an AWESOME father. I never feel like I have missed out on anything.