“You’re safe now,” my friend said, stroking my hair as I sipped a glass of water.
Some time later, my daughter said nearly the same.
Both times, I curled softly into sleep.
by: Lorraine Fuller I have been a special needs parent for almost 24 years. My oldest was diagnosed with Aspergers and dysgraphia. That presented a few challenges, but we were able to overcome them. Then my second son played a …
Craig Peterson poignantly reminds us of the daily struggles that some of our kids have faced, still face, and may always face. https://adoptingfaithafathersunconditionallove.org/2016/12/12/coping-when-a-child-suffers-daily/
In celebration of ATN’s 2016 Angels in Adoption award, we’re profiling ATN members who have helped ATN win the award — and who have themselves been Angels to families and children. By: Jane Samuel My youngest child was getting to …
by: D. Craig Peterson Six words. For many vulnerable children, they give context to a complicated history. For many parents who’ve opened their hearts, they cut to the bone. The words unfortunately rear their ugly head, especially during the …
That Familiar Holiday Rant: “You’ll never be my real family!” Read more »
by: Melissa Sadin The idea that our words have the power to wound might be as old as time itself. In the Bible it is said, “For in many things we offend in word….” Many of us grew up with …
by: Melissa Sadin Typically, our children’s lives are measured by events such as birthdays, grades in school, graduation, etc. Recently, however, it occurred to me that there are other events by which I measure my son’s growth. Oh sure, I’m …
by: Allison Cooke Douglas We’ve used a “Calm Down Box” with our child for years. It’s full of tools they can use when they are beginning to escalate. This is a specific child’s box, so it’s tailored to his specific …
by: Craig Peterson In elementary school my two attachment-challenged sons whipped through their assignments in class. They rarely had homework. Since both made excellent grades, I never gave the situation a second thought. All that quickly changed by middle school. …
by: David Kerrigan Power struggles happen, and it’s hard to avoid them. Hard but possible. You ask your child to take out the garbage. The child says, “No!” and maybe adds a few unprintable words. Suddenly your mind is flooded …