News Article

Do you remember Spirographs?  They are still out there, those silly cogs with the pen holes so you can make designs?  I loved mine as a kid.  I loved the shapes and colors and the designs. But mostly I loved how little change it took
to get a whole new pattern. Just one cog tooth over and voila! Difference! So apply that same approach to parenting your daughter  Violet when what you are doing is not working.  Change how you respond, and she will change too, and pretty soon, voila! New pattern.

If you gathered 5 parents in a room who all adopted children who experienced complex early trauma, they would each share almost identical challenging scenarios about their children. Tantrums are the most common issue, but not far behind are clingy children, and as these children grow, lying becomes the largest concern. The problem is traditional parenting does not work for these kids. As much as you may want to use time-out and punishment to teach your children, you will only alienate them more. These kids have a brain that is different than your neuro-typical ones. Read on for ideas on how to build a new parenting toolkit to encourage a peaceful home and to form a healing connection with your “hard-to-parent” child.

Parenting is hard work. Parenting children who experienced early complex trauma is even more difficult. By understanding that parent-child interaction is the first step to building trust and attachment that inevitably will make your parenting journey more full of ease and even joy! 

Dear Director,
What’s the big deal about self-care for adoptive parents. I cannot see the connection. Besides, I don’t have time or money! Please shed light oh wise director
Yours truly, tired and confused