Christmas Spaghetti

bowl of spaghetti with Christmas Spaghetti written above it

Dinner is served A couple days before Christmas, I make spaghetti sauce. On Christmas afternoon, I move the pot of sauce from our refrigerator to the range and warm it while preparing pasta from a blue box. Matt slices grocery store bread. The tradition of “Christmas Spaghetti” may not be the tradition our kids are […]

Christmas Reinvented: The 12 Days of Connection

three young men with Target ad and "family is everything" sign

Relationships or things? Which one are you focusing upon this holiday season? To be honest, my family’s first Christmas 20 years ago was over-stimulating. An emotional roller coaster. My six adopted children unwrapped one gift after another – many from people they hardly knew. The following morning, the drama began. Fighting over each other’s toys […]

ATN’s 2018 Trauma-Sensitive Parenting Summit

Trauma Sensitive Parenting Summit

November 8 – 14, 2018 AIRING SCHEDULE ◇ Day 1-  Thursday, November 8, 2018 Keynote: Integration & Awareness Dr. Daniel J. SiegelClinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA’s School of MedicineLos Angeles, CAInterviewer: Tiffany Sudela-Junker ATN Roundtable Discussion: What is Trauma-Sensitive Parenting? Four of ATN’s Trauma-Sensitive, Therapeutic Parenting Leaders:Tiffany Sudela-JunkerLorraine SchneiderStephanie Garde, JDJulie Beem, MBA Day […]

A New Phase in Life–Part I

A man with moving boxes

I have moved into a new phase in life, especially my parenting life. My last child has moved out of the house. Another child visited for the summer, so we didn’t experience a true empty nest immediately. Yet it is still a new phase–the child who moved out last was our child with an alphabet […]

Paying Attention: The Most Exhausting Part of Parenting with ACEs!

Mother and Child

[Original version published at ACEs Too High, May 26, 2016] Self-care? What’s that? I used to sneak away for a hot bath as often as possible when my daughter was in the need-me-every-minute years. I’d soak long past when the water went cold and I felt guilty at times but sometimes I needed to be alone. […]

Creating Connections, Finding Support

Take time to take care of you.

I am sitting on airplane headed back home to my real life. I have been at a retreat/conference with a hundred moms of kids from hard places. We had classes and support groups…and chocolate and hot tub time. We did a fair bit of lying in the sun and a whole lot of talking. From […]

Trauma-Informed Magnets Available

Magnet for families raising a traumatized child

Our very popular magnet is now AVAILABLE in our store! US SALES ONLY!!! For sales outside the United States (including Canada and Mexico), please contact before purchase, since shipping is higher for the magnets. Check our bulk pricing for the best deals. 1,3, 5+ magnets are the best deals. Description:  4″x6″ magnet for reminding us […]

What Therapists Want Parents to Do

Parents and Therapists must work together to help their traumatized children.

–by Susan Ward, LPC Note from the blog manager: this is the promised and long-overdue follow-up to Susan’s popular post, What Therapists Want Parents to Know. Thank you to both Susan and our readers for your patience!   As the parent of a child with trauma and attachment issues, I understand first-hand how overwhelming your life […]

2018 Parenting Summit

Trauma Sensitive Parenting Summit

Our Free Summit has ended. Thank you to the thousands of you who came and participated. After Friday, November 16, the Summit will be available in our store. Watch interviews with parenting experts and experienced therapeutic parents from around the country. Experts include: Dr. Dan Siegel Dr. Ross Greene Karen Buckwalter, LCSW Sarah Naish Billy […]

What Therapists Want Parents to Know

What Therapists Want Parents to Know

–by Susan M. Ward, LPC In April, ATN blogger Lorraine Fuller wrote a powerful post about what she would like therapists to know. I, like many ATN readers, knew exactly what she meant. Not all therapists are equipped to handle the complex needs of families struggling with attachment disorders and trauma. But there are good […]