Perspectives on Challenged Family Building

Take a few moments and experience the exercise below designed to help adults see moving through the eyes of the child*:
You are sitting in your apartment’s living room on a warm summer evening. Your spouse is dozing peacefully on the sofa. You’re curled up with a good book, and your feeling is one of contentment.
 
Suddenly, [...]

Derrick is now 16. His parents, Ellen and Roger, adopted their two nieces, Jill and Joyce, when Derrick was 11 years old. Jill and Joyce are now also in their teens. Joyce has integrated into the family nicely. Jill, on the other hand, has been very hurt by the trauma she endured in her birthhome. [...]

Living in Ohio offers great cities, beautiful countryside, diverse cultures, thrilling roller-coasters, Great Lake Erie and snow! This winter, we are privy to lots of snow! School cancellations seem never-ending! Parents—struggling, with challenging adoptees—are at their wits’ end!
 
This unexpected break from the world of academics generates many phone calls to the therapist. Yesterday, in a [...]