A big obstacle adoptive and foster parents face is their child’s lack of sleep (aka: refusal to sleep or rest, inability to sleep). Many adopted and foster children have a difficult time falling and staying asleep. Sleep issues can wreak havoc on the whole family, and when everyone’s tired, everyone’s grouchy (at least in our…
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my adopted/foster child is never satisfied. what can I do?
Caleb was never satisfied, it didn’t matter what his parents did for him. They took him to Chuck-E-Cheese on Friday night, just because, not for a special event. After they left, he asked, “What are we doing tomorrow?” It happened every time, whether it was an amusement park, a golf game with dad, or simply…
Read Moreevery child is worth it: adopting an older child
I came across this heartwarming video on Facebook and just had to share it with you. It’s a must see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iexJtB57bkY The girl in this video breaks my heart. She’s overwhelmed by the news that this family’s adopting her. She’s waited years, and now she has a forever family. I can’t imagine being a teen…
Read Morerocking: a simple first step to bonding, and it doesn’t just apply to infants (review – adoption/foster care)
(This post originally appeared on Lovin’ Adoptin’ in May 2013. I feel with all the new visitors I’d share again, plus a little reminder never hurt any of us, right?) Have you found that discipline and having consequences for negative behavior doesn’t work with your hurting child? As one mom phrased it, “They don’t care.”…
Read Morewill they adopt me? adoption from a childs perspective
She’s so sweet. Oh, he’s so adorable. I just love his smile. The first day I visited the orphanage, she ran to me and gave me a hug. These qualities are what draws adoptive and foster parents. It makes sense, but it breaks my heart. It wrecks me to think that children aren’t worthy of…
Read Moreattachment in adoption & foster care: the first things we need to know
This is a post I originally wrote in April 2013. Many of you are new here, so I thought I would bring back some of the basics in the following weeks. Hope you enjoy. ************* In Chris Cleave’s novel Little Bee, he writes Little Bee’s thoughts, “Take it from me, a scar does not form on…
Read Morewhat’s next? a look at life after bonding takes place
As a parent of adopted kids I found myself wondering far too much, why? Why did my kids have to endure so much so early in life? Why do they have to overcome so much? I’ve realized these aren’t the questions that will bring about healing and restoration. The question I began asking is, what will my…
Read Moretherapeutic parents need breaks, but balance is key (adoption & foster care)
Being a therapeutic parent is hard. It’s wearing. It’s tiring. It’s work. All. The. Time. It’s benefits in the end are rewarding beyond compare, but when you’re in the day to day it can be draining. Although my husband and I have come out of the most difficult parts of therapeutic parenting with our daughter,…
Read Morelies are like flies and multiplying quickly: why adopted and foster children lie
“Caitlyn did it, not me.” “This kid ran past me, grabbed my backpack and…” “The car in front of me slammed on their brakes…” “The teacher never told me the assignment was due.” It seems like every adoptive, foster, and even biological family deals with lying. In fact, lying is the biggest struggle for many…
Read More6 things you shouldn’t say to, or in front of, your foster/adopted child
You can listen to a recording of this post, just scroll to the bottom of this post. Sometimes it’s common sense and sometimes it’s not. Despite that common sense we’ve all supposedly been given, I’ve heard some terrible things said in front of, and to, children. Guidance has also been disposed by some professionals that…
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lovin' adoptin' & autism 