I love the feel of a child in my arms. One that isn’t hitting, kicking, biting, scratching or spitting that is. I have been known to spend hours with a baby in my arms just because I can’t stand to put them down.

I didn’t hold my kids near enough with my first “batch.” I didn’t realize how much they needed it, and they seemed too old for it. Mackenzie got plenty of cuddling because she was a beautiful little baby. I knew she needed to be held, and I did it every chance I could. I wish I had known how much my boys needed it.

I... more

Sammy got braces on today. His foster mom met me there since the doctor’s office is half way for both of us. We had a good chance to talk while he was getting his braces on.

She said some things that I was happy to hear someone else confirm, and there were other things that shocked me. They were things that made me want to get my hopes up again, but at the same time I don’t know if I dare let myself hope again.

Some of the things she said were:

Sammy wants to come home. He was hoping he’d be home before school got out.... more

Before you get upset with my language, this is a true organization and website. It is so full of incredible information.

They are an advocate group for children with disabilities. Here is the description of their group from their website.

Mothers from Hell 2 (MFH2) is a national group of parents, relatives, friends, and anyone who just plain 'gets it' fighting chipped tooth and broken press-on nail for the appropriate education,... more

August may seem like a long time from now, but it’s approaching more quickly than we want to think about.

August 1-4, 2007 is the Attachment & Trauma Network conference in Excelsior Springs, MO. I promise, you don’t want to miss this.

First of all, the conference is being held at The Elms Resort. It is a hotel and spa. Yes, a spa. You can get massages, facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures, and other services. That’s heaven right there for me. Then there is the... more

Continued from here.

You’ve decided that you or your child needs respite. How do you find it?

If the adoption is finalized, the choice is yours, so your options are far greater.

Therapists- Ask your therapist, school counselors, or mental health providers. They will know other parents in your situation who might be interested in trading respite.

Support groups- If you have an in person support group, ask other parents if... more

April is National Autism Awareness Month. I’m not very well educated on Autism, so I visited a couple of websites for information. The bloggers on the Parenting Special Kids blog have written some great information on Autism. I was shocked by some of the things I learned.

First of all, what is Autism?

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism... more

My blog is late today because I spent a good portion of the day in the car, and at doctors appointments.

Sammy got the molds made for the braces he’s going to be getting, and Hannah had to go in for a strep throat test.

Hannah had the classic symptoms of fever, swollen glands and hurting when she swallows. So, off to the doctor it was.

None of these things should be traumatic, should they? However, with our kids nothing is as simple as it should be.

Hannah was sexually abused orally by a biological relative.... more

This is a novel written by Mark Haddon which won the 2003 Whitbread Book of the Year and the 2004 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book.

My Mother-In-Law recommended this book to me. This is NOT a parenting book. It is a novel that you can just sit down and enjoy.

Upon starting the book, you... more

Yesterday was the anniversary of the day that Sammy moved in with us. It’s hard to believe it’s been 8 years, and how different our lives are now.

The memory of the day is still as vivid as if it happened yesterday. It was hardly the peaceful, serene day that you would want for a move.

At the time, I still had a full time job outside of the house. I was an insurance agent, and I insured my Grandfather’s business. My father called me that morning to tell me that there had been an accident at the plant. I quickly finished... more

We have been blessed to have great friends in the therapists at the Attachment Institute of New England (AINE). They are fabulous people and therapists. Part of why we hang out with them is their ability to make us laugh.

The 4 therapists there are Peg Kirby, Ken Frohock, Joe Lyons and Suzanne Allen. Ken & Peg are both parents to attachment challenged kids, so they really get it. At the First Annual Parenting Traumatized Children conference last year, Joe and Suzy did a great... more