Like a punch in the stomach was the excruciatingly hard reality of fostering. The journey was just beginning. How his past trauma and lack of attachment impacted his brain functioning took us by surprise. The child was dangerously impulsive, respected no boundaries, and did what he pleased to the point of manipulation—at three! Yet at the same time he was very infantile in his mannerisms. I … [Read more...]
We’ve Moved to KeyMinistry.org
We are now part of the Key Ministry family and all our new content will be featured there. We'll leave this site up as a resource and hope you'll join our team of writers at our new home. … [Read more...]
Letting Special Needs Kids Grow Up
Parked at a crowded curb in front of the middle school, I watch as my girls get out of the van, tie shoes, check hair in the side window, glance to see if anyone they know is nearby. I should drive away, I think. I should leave and make space for another family to unload their kids. But it's not just the parking spot. It's the admission my girls are growing up. They walk away from the minivan. … [Read more...]
Crucial Truth About Special Needs and Adoption
She turned thirteen this week. That's ten birthdays together. . . thousands of days and experiences since the day my oldest daughter moved into my home. On her birthdays, when I look through her baby pictures and reminisce, there is this gap. We've got just six pictures of her life from birth to 2 1/2 years. In those moments, the reality of loss, special needs and adoption feels so acute. Most … [Read more...]