Two Words: Attachment Insecurity

Theater-style masks showing insecure and secure attachment

Trying to do everything right I never imagined that two words, “attachment insecurity,” could have such a distressing and at the same time life-affirming effect on a person. My son already carried a diagnosis thought of as hard-to-parent. I felt like I was already there, bearing that heaviness alongside him. We had endured some of […]

“Guilty”: An Ending or a Beginning?

illustration of gavel coming down

What I was going to write Tuesday afternoon, I had a whole thing I was going to write about childhood trauma in Miracle Creek by Angie Kim. At some point, I probably will go ahead and write that post. But just before I sat down with notebook and pen (yes, I am that weirdo who […]

#TSS 2021–Thank You!

thank you written with calligraphy pen

Thank you for the conference… This Mom can’t say thank you enough for the Trauma Sensitive Schools Conference in February 2021. What a great experience to join with others who are passionate about finding answers, having hard conversations, and learning heavy things. There is nothing worse than traveling a tough, unexpected road silently and alone. […]

On Being an Anti-Racist White Mom

Young woman holding anti-racist sign

The Atlanta shootings It’s been a few weeks since the news broke about the shootings at 3 spas in the Atlanta area. Watching this unfold on my TV, sitting in my Atlanta suburban home, I was confounded. Now…so many days later…I still am. Was the shooter racist? Was this a hate crime? The news media […]

The Re-Set Process

It began at TSS In February 2021, I had the honor of moderating Dyane Carrere’s session, “A New Way to Respond to Challenging Behavior: The Re-Set Process” at ATN’s virtual Trauma-Sensitive Schools (TSS) conference. Carrere’s approach to and heart for children from hard places impressed me. So much so, in fact, that I ordered her […]

Just Say No to Teacher Burnout

drawing of teacher with mask in front of blackboard with coronavirus scattered around

In times of change, chaos, and crisis, prevent overwhelm and teacher burnout by being realistic about what you can and cannot do. Here’s how.

What ‘Resilient’ Means to Me

scrabble tiles spelling resilient on a purple background

Is Larissa resilient? (And does she have ADHD?) Larissa has a writing assignment–2-3 pages–due by the end of today. She understands the topic and knows what she wants to say, so she opens her notebook, picks up her pen, and  I can’t work without music. Larissa picks up her phone, checks her DMs, then scrolls […]

Monty’s Day in Court

illustrated cover of courthouse with little boy. Title Monty's Day in Court

Helping children from hard places If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you are either parenting a child from a hard place or know such a child in some other way. Sadly, coming from a hard place can mean being the victim of a crime. It may even mean that the child has to […]

Supporting Students and Staff After COVID-19

Supporting Students and Staff After COVID-19 (book title in purple font)

A new book for trauma-sensitive educators Returning to school this year has been stressful for school leaders, educators, families, and students, whether they’re engaged in face-to-face, distance, or hybrid learning. My new e-book Supporting Students and Staff After COVID-19 is a resource designed especially for administrators, teachers, instructional coaches, and support staff. It provides *right now* […]

Congratulations Dr. Laura Dennis

Dr. Laura Dennis

The Attachment & Trauma Network congratulates our very own, Dr. Laura Dennis, the 2020 recipient of the William T. Miles Community Service Award. Dr. Dennis is a professor of French language, culture and literature at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY. On campus, she has been a guest lecturer and has led students […]