I hear this complaint a lot from parents, and it’s usually the husband who isn’t “on board.” Sorry guys, but that’s what I hear.

Parenting a traumatized child is hard enough, but when you don’t have the support of your partner it’s difficult if not impossible.I’m going to steal a quote from Nancy, since it’s so good.

It is hard to be the married parents of a child with attachment issues.

It is even harder to be the single parent of a child with attachment issues.

But... more

I am writing this blog in the van on the way back from the ATN conference. I am exhausted, but it was a great event.

We had amazing speakers, fun social events, but most importantly, parents received support. One of the greatest things about this event is that parents are among other parents who get it.

It is wonderful to hear parents laugh as they swap stories and each person has a “better one” than the next. There are no questioning looks. There are no doubts surrounding... more

I have a confession to make. While I sat in church yesterday morning, my mind was on everything but the sermon. I sat scribbling a “to do” list on the back of part of my church bulletin. I am feeling overwhelmed right now. I have a very sensitive heart, and other people’s issues, in addition to my own, weigh heavy on me right now.

First and foremost being my niece. She is in the middle of a very ugly custody battle that my brother has initiated. I am very angry with him for everything he is putting her through, especially during... more

One of the biggest services that we offer at ATN is free of charge and easy to do. It’s validation.

Yesterday, shortly after I wrote my blog, I spent over an hour on the phone with a mom who seriously needed help. Her 11 year old daughter is very similar to Sammy.

All of us on the staff of ATN take phone calls from parents in crisis. We listen while moms (usually) pour out their story, and most times cry. What helps them is when we agree with them, tell them it’s happened to us too, and tell them that they are not alone.

This... more

My whole family is with us for Christmas in Colorado this year. As I have mentioned before in this blog, my family is supportive of our journey to adopt, and they all love K as any other family member.

Other adoptive families I know aren’t so lucky. Not everyone is supportive of adoptive children or foster children. One foster mom I know has been cut off from her family ties as they don’t agree with her decision to foster-adopt and won’t see her... more

So, I went to my first adoption support meeting today. It is a group of foster adopt parents, only moms today) who have had adoptions finalized out the foster system.

The invitations have been coming every month for about a year, but I’ve been resisting going to a meeting. I haven’t really seen the point actually. K is doing very well. She’s only two, - and I know, I know, there is still plenty of time for any or all of those nasty adoption issues to crop up, - but today, she’s a happy well adjusted, attached two year old. Who needs a support group for that?

Then, I thought, well,... more