I think we’re becoming desensitized to these stories to the point where we really believe that if we save these kids from these horrible parents they will be immediately “just fine” and the problem will be solved. We see it as a problem that we can solve by mere intervention and don’t understand how completely devastated these kids are. If your spouse abused you enough to give you two skull fractures, would you be willing to trust another man? If the person you counted on to take care of you while you were weak and helpless abused you for reasons you could not comprehend, would you be so willing to accept help from someone else? These kids have the same mind-set, but as infants they don’t understand WHY they feel the way they do. Praying is all we can do sometimes, but it doesn’t feel like enough.

It is sad. My sons would tell me stuff about their teenage friends with babies. I would explain how to do things and they’d go back and tell their friends. They weren’t bad kids, just had no clue how to care for an infant.

Hospitals and OB docs need to be giving these parents child deveopment and at least basic child care info before the infant goes home.

As for the voices in the head-that one is a whole other issue.

Lucy