Here are some articles and a video I came across in the past few weeks that I feel are helpful or encouraging or informative:
Beyond - I may be a bit biased in including this link here because this website refers to a meeting of moms which I will be attending in just ONE WEEK, but even for those who will not be attending, this article provides hope that there is a life for moms and healing beyond trauma and attachment.
Adoption Story – I am a sucker for adoption stories. I love reading them. This one happens to be my friend Jenn’s which makes it more special for me, but I am sharing it because she and her husband have adopted six children from three different countries. She also shares some helpful links and advise.
A Challenge for Adoptive Dads – This video from Empowered to Connect is short and to the point and yet it is a message that is so very important. Adoption, especially where attachment issues are involved, can be hard on marriages and this one simple thing can go a long way.
Good-bye Visit & The Question (Foster Adoption) – Jamie and her husband are pursuing a foster adoption of siblings and she has been sharing how the process has been for them. If you are considering foster adoption, I would encourage you to read the whole series. If this is something you have experienced before, go on over and offer up some words of encouragement as they move towards bringing these children into their family later this week.
I Really Hate the Whole Slow-and-Steady Thing – I think especially when parenting children with challenges, it can become difficult to see progress when it happens in tiny increments and when you are living it day in and day out. I found Christine’s analogy helpful and her words hopeful.
MR Imaging Shows How Fetal Alcohol Exposure Affects Children’s Brains – Some might find this article discouraging and the image is certainly shocking, but I still think that it is helpful to understand how profound and lasting the effects of alcohol are on the developing brain, not to take away hope, but to increase understanding and compassion.
It Takes More Than Love: What Happens When Adoption Fails – It’s the thing that is barely whispered about in adoption circles, let alone in the general community…adoption disruptions. But they do happen and as far as anyone can tell, they are becoming more common so it is time we start talking about it and time that we learn how to support families living through this.
[...] second post is a list of seven Awesome Adoption links – good [...]