This should be interesting!
You may remember my previous post about him being hospitalized.... well he went right from there to rehab and after rehab he's going to need a place to live. It isn't a good environment for him to be living with my parents and I'd like for him to get out of that town where all his bad connections are. Sooooo he's moving in with me. We have a 2.5 bedroom apt and he'll be living in the 1/2 bedroom. It's going to be a little tight. I'm excited to have him here and I'm really happy that I'm able to help him out but I'm also a little nervous.
His counselor also found him a 1/2 day outpatient program right in my neighborhood which is great.
Anyway I guess there is no real point to this post except that I need you to wish me some luck!
Re: My brother is moving in to our teeny apt.
Wow- you are an amazing sister! Your brother is very lucky to have you in his life. Good luck!
ETA: and good luck to your brother too!
This! It's so great that you're opening your home up to him. Good luck to both of you
This! It's so great that you're opening your home up to him. Good luck to both of you
This is perfectly put, MsCat. Good luck, Trudy, how sweet and supportive of you.
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It is so great that you are doing this for him. I fully believe that it takes real change in ones life and real, constant support from a person that is influential in your life, to inflict a lasting change in behaviours.
Being in rehab is one thing, it's "easy" to be clean, but then real life happens again and it is easier to just revert back. By providing him a safe haven after rehab, a constant source of love and positive reinforcement, a "real world" setting where he can live normally but without the old negative people/lifestyle/habits etc. YOU are giving him a real chance to get better for good.
So, good for you! (i dont' remember seeing the original thread so I'm not sure what he is in rehab for).
Hope it goes smoothly and is not too stressful for you!
That's very kind of you to take him in! And what a nice relationship he'll form with V too. None of your other relatives will have that.
Also, what is a 1/2 bedroom?
How wonderfully supportive and gracious of you and your husband. He is very lucky to have you in his life.
Can I cautiously advise you to put a agreement/contract into place in the event he struggles? Sorry, I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but addiction is a nasty beast and it will be easiest to discuss with him when he fresh out of rehab and motivated regarding his recovery. I really wish him the best.
Thanks everyone! Sorry, was out for a bit and just reading the responses now.
Harpersmom- yes, we plan on having a very specific and detailed agreement on the terms of him staying with us and I'm not going to mess around with it. One break of the agreement and he's out.
Ruby- a half bedroom is basically a really really small bedroom, haha. My apt was listed as a 3 bedroom but it is so not. The 3rd room basically has room for this day bed/couch thingy that we have and a super small desk. We use it as a teeny tiny office.
I do think that a change in enviornment and a break from my nutso family will do wonders for my brother. He also has a long term girlfriend who I adore so the plan will be for him to stay here, get himself together and then save enough money to move in to a place with her. Here's hoping it all works out! The main bright side i can find is that we will have an extra person to run errands and do chores for us
100% this. Well said MsCat. Good luck to your family!
A half bedroom is basically a way in NYC to make your rent cost more money.
I responded below but it's just a tiny little room. There actually is a closet and I suppose it couldddd be used as a bedroom if you literally had no stuff. Well, we're about to use it as a bedroom so I guess it can be done. I'll PIP when it's clean- right now it's a glorified dog bedroom. Our dog beds are in there and a little desk area where my H works from home some days.
Yes, put him to WORK!!
Totally get this! Our building was built in the 1870's so tiny rooms were definitely the thing.
I agree with the PPs you are an awesome lady!! Sending good luck vibes
Don't forget to take a walk too. It does wonders for feeling overwhelmed!
LOL on the .5 bedroom!
I hope things work out. And if he can keep himself in order, I see many more date nights in your future!
Oh my gosh I know! Me and my husband are totally getting ahead of ourselves. My brother is a chef and he loves to cook so we're already banking on delicious gourmet meals every night.
Exactly this. Good luck!
All of this!! Good luck to your brother!