As a classroom teacher with over 20 years in K-12 schools, I have always worked very hard to meet the needs of all of my students, even those with enormous emotional and behavioral challenges. I have created a welcoming, safe Continue reading The Blame Game – Let’s End It
Over the years, my son and I have been through a lot of ups and downs. While he has has come so far and made tremendous strides in healing, his early childhood adversity and trauma have changed his brain so Continue reading Drop the rope
If I read one more article about the evils of “helicopter” and “lawn mower” parents, I’m going to puke. This ugly trend in holier-than-thou parent shame-and-blame blogging has got to stop, and it’s got to stop NOW. Listen, I know Continue reading Dear Judgy McJudgersons: Stop the Parent Shaming!
Spiraling Stages of Growth(click photo to enlarge) My son took his medication for his hyperthyroidism/Graves disease today. If you don’t know my kid, you don’t know how huge this is for him. He didn’t want to take it. In fact, for Continue reading The Spiraling Stages of Growth
When I was in my teens, our family had a cat named Scamp. She was a long-haired grey beauty with white paws, but a little on the chubby side. So she had a hard time grooming herself, and sometimes Continue reading What to do when you disagree with a doctor (or other professional)
We went to the Emergency Room today. Again. I’m not really sure if it was the 47th time or the 74th time. It’s a “score” I’d rather not keep. It has been a long time since we’ve had to go Continue reading Emergency Room Visit Number 47
One of the most common questions that I get from parents is how to stay compassionate and connected when their child does something they know they shouldn’t be doing, and then tells a lie about it or denies they had Continue reading How to stop lying, stealing, and other sneaky behaviors
At age 10, my son was diagnosed with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder). He is 17 now, and he would no longer qualify for this diagnosis at all. I’m not convinced that he EVER had a “disorder,” and I know so Continue reading RAD Recovery: The Proven Path to Growth and Healing
Note: An abbreviated version of this article was featured on the Attachment Trauma Network blog._______________________________________ “It is my hope that our story on trauma-informed care will not only be impactful but will also be revolutionary. It certainly has caused a Continue reading It’s time for a Trauma-Informed Revolution
Over the years of talking with and listening to hundreds of adoptive parents, I’ve noticed that most parenting styles fall into two basic categories: TRADITIONAL PARENTING: Parenting focused on trying to gain control over challenging behaviors; parents often feel like Continue reading Traditional, or Trauma-Informed?