Perspectives on Challenged Family Building

Many families that adopt will instantly love their adopted child as much as they love their birth children. When I was a worker placing children, we often stated that there was a “spark” on the part of the parent. They would meet a child or see a picture of a child and just know that was [...]

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 [...]

Children who have experienced trauma enter the family with thoughts about themselves, adults and the world that are faulty. For example, children who resided in homes replete with domestic violence and physical abuse may think:

Aggression is a means to solve problems. In homes with domestic violence and physical abuse, it is the strongest member of [...]