Dear MIMsters: How Do I Tackle This Situation Involving My Husband’s Love Children and Their Mother?

They say two heads are better than one. I need advice on how to tackle this situation involving my husband’s love children and their mother.

I have a rival who secretly had three baby girls for my late husband. Before the man passed on, the bubble burst when the lady’s father wanted him to come and formalize their relationship.

My husband begged that it was devil that pushed him thus far and we were able to make peace. This woman did not want to hear anything about me. I made the move for those children’s sake to bring her closer to me, but this gesture she rebuffed. The man died without settling her.

I started to erect a structure in a plot of land my debtor used to repay the loan he collected from me. I don’t know how this woman got to know and she started sending threats to me that my husband used that plot to settle her.

This took us to court and the judgement was that she had no evidence to claim that building because I provided the receipts for the materials purchased after my husband’s death. She then pleaded in the court for forgiveness which the magistrate also pleaded I should see it as a battle from one who has failed and is frustrated.

To cut long story short, some years after, she sent her sister and the first daughter to me in the market during Christmas and I bought them foods stuffs. Yet, she did not feel it fit to call and thank me.

After two years, I called her to send the girls to me in the market. She did and I bought the kids clothes and shoes for Christmas. She did not again say thank you. I then decided it is not worth doing more.

Over 6 years now, have not seen or heard from them. So, I was so surprised last week when I saw these girls in my compound looking for me. When I recognized and told them that I am the one they were looking for, they jumped on me screaming, “mummy mummy mummy, we have been looking for you.”

I asked how they were able to locate me they said their mother gave them direction but they could not locate the actual house. So they started going from one compound to another on that street asking for me. I took them home to their mother who confirmed they have been disturbing her about me.

Now they came back the following day and refused to go back to their mother. They say they prefer to live with me. I found out they are out of school now because their mother is jobless. My own children have agreed to send them back to school in January.

My problem now is they have refused to go back to their mother. Please mothers, what do I do? Do I have to send them back by force because I am not comfortable due of their mother’s behaviour in the past. I am afraid this could be a way to get back at me.

She might plot evil and use these innocent girls to perpetrate it. Do I have to go and tell her I cannot accommodate these children because of fear of her actions? She is a barrack girl. What do I do? Please advice.