Proactively Give Yourself a Mother’s Day…Even if it’s Not This Sunday

by:  Julie Beem It’s coming. There are ads, ads and more ads for flowers, clothing, chocolate…and Hallmark. Any preschool worth its weight is making handprint art and churches are planning luncheons and other celebrations. Ugh…it’s Mother’s Day! What a train wreck this holiday can be for families of traumatized children, especially those who were formed […]

“Don’t You DARE Say That”

By: Deborah A. Novo I love my dog. She is an 11 year old, white Schnauzer who exudes such love. My husband and I had just returned from our usual, evening walk with Sadie. We were standing in the kitchen, laughing and drinking iced tea when a storm came upon us. “Why don’t you pick […]

Tuesday Toolbox — The Landing Pad

by:  Jane Samuel Our youngest, now age 12, like many children of trauma, wants to have all her ducks in a row and know what is coming next. She hates getting caught off guard – “I forgot that we had P.E. today and I didn’t have my shoes!!” So schedules and planning work very well […]

Beyond Scared

by:  Deborah A. Novo It is natural to feel apprehensive and scared navigating through some of life’s challenges and expectations. Much of the time, we can do this with confidence and competence. However, scared doesn’t begin to identify the depth and breadth of the feeling that is experienced when our children with Reactive Attachment Disorder […]

Tuesday Toolbox — Bedtime and Sleep Issues

This post originally ran as the second post in a two part series last October.  We are re-running it because so many of our traumatized children have sleep issues (including my youngest daughter, who routinely stays up past her mom’s bedtime!).  Jennie’s post has wonderful and practical information to help parents, especially in these challenging […]

The Trauma Van

by:  Craig Peterson I chose to laugh, not cry.  My minivan looks like a wreck. But the two of us could never part ways. We’ve shared too much history together. In 2001 with two new sons in tow, my family of seven needed more space. So while the rain came down in sheets, I negotiated […]

The Borderline in My Daughter’s Personality – Part 3

This is the final installment in a three-part series that ran earlier this week.  The first installment can be found here, and the second here. by:  Julie Beem “Borderline feels like I’m going to lose my mind You just keep on pushing my love over the borderline…” Madonna As I read further into this article, I […]

Tuesday Toolbox – Giving Your Child a Sensory Diet at Home

by:  Jane Samuel Like many children from hard places our daughter was diagnosed with sensory issues. As I began to get a grasp on her sensory needs and avoidances and attended OT sessions I kept a running list of what helped her and what would be a good tool to use at home. This Tuesday […]

ADHD versus Anxiety

by:  Craig Peterson A recent article about the misdiagnosing ADHD in children with early trauma has been making the rounds. Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon, let’s remember that many mental health issues are at play. Not all children are the same. Each needs to be carefully diagnosed. For traumatized children who haven’t begun to […]

Therapeutic Parents — Check out These Trainings Coming Your Way

As we begin 2015, many of us may have resolved to learn more about early childhood/attachment trauma and attachment disorders. We may need to delve into how to be therapeutic parents or need a refresher in strategies to stay calm and provide a healing environment. The following events are not organized by the Attachment & […]