I have an issue with my daughter's best friend...

[StarryNite]

Kylie had told me she asked for a puppy for Christmas. She told me today that her mom said she is going to get a Pit Bull pup. Okay, I own a GSD, I know about possible aggressive dogs and how wonderful they are with good training and upbringing. But from everything I have written in this post about this family am I the only one who thinks it's an awful idea with 3 small children and no fenced yard? I also saw the "X" there today so must be "on again"... I dunno...

[SouthernThistle]

1. Single mom with three children who has constant "party people" visitors entering and leaving the home. The OP said "party people" not just regular visitors. I am assuming the OP meant "party people" as in people who come there to "party" (loud music? loud people? etc. on a regular basis).

2. What parent doesn't give another "emergency contact information" before allowing their child to spend the night, etc.? Home phone...cell phones (if they have them)...alternate numbers...or family members just "in case." What would have happened if the little girl, Kylie, had an accident? How would OP know to get in touch with mom?

These are the two issues I have. Having regular visitors over is one thing, but having "party people" visitors over regularly is something different. Labelling someone as a "party person" means something must have happened to achieve that label - like I said, loud music, loud people, boisterous, etc. Not being able to get in touch with a parent is another issue. Sure mom could have taken the younger kids somewhere, etc. but why not leave some sort of emergency contact info?

This little girl, Kylie, (and her siblings) seem to lead a fairly unstable life (after reading the rest of the info).

I would start with addressing the emergency contact info stuff with "mom." I guess talking to her about everything else depends on how friendly you are with her. You certainly don't want it to turn into, "well Kylie won't be coming over anymore" type of situation.

Sad all the way around.

[SunCzarina]

I agree with Shel. There is no way I would send my child for an overnight without her having my cell phone number, the guy across the street's number, my mother in florida etc etc.

Big red flag on the pitbull puppy and the party people personality. The throwing food off the porch and people showing up at 2am for a minute are also big scarlet letters. *

However, if you play it right way, the puppy is good way to get involved with this woman and her children. Really sounds like Kylie's mom needs some sisterly guidance in her life. You'll have to suck it up and ignore some things you see just to go for the big picture.

* Don't flame me for what I'm saying here. You live in the city, you get to know how it goes. If you don't or never did as an adult, you don't know how it really is. We live in the city - midway between the 1/2 million dollar homes and the ghetto. This is all of about 6 blocks. My house is 3 blocks outside providence. Providence schools are bad - we're talking failing schools here. Many families move just over the line to get their kids into the top ranked schools in my city. So I've seen what the OP is talking about. You can see it from 20 feet away watching some of these families. The mothers want to do better for their kids they just (to borrow a ghetto phrase) 'Don't know no better'. They need kind and gentle enlightenment.