26 April 2019, by We Are Family (654 views)

Such Great Parents!

We have recently had some involvement with CAMHS which has (unlike our previous encounter) been quite positive. We’ve talked through what’s working, what’s not, how we can try to shift things that seem a bit stuck. The psychologist has been quite upfront in his appraisal of us: he was concerned maybe I was not affectionate and loving enough, or the differences in my partner and my own parenting style were incompatible and causing conflict. He was happy to report he was assured this was not the case and, while we were different, this was within the ‘normal' range of difference!

27 July 2018, by We Are Family (1201 views)

Who Loves You?

As I hope most parents do we tell our sons that we love them every single day - often multiple times a day - and by now (almost 6 years as a family) we are pretty sure that they understand it and believe it.

22 June 2018, by We Are Family (2517 views)

The Great Behaviour Breakdown (GBB) – A Biased Review

I’ve recently completed the first two days of the four day parenting course for adopters called The Great Behaviour Breakdown and I’m blown away already...

The Great Behaviour Breakdown (GBB) – A Biased Review

24 November 2017, by We Are Family (385 views)

‘What ever makes you think your son is securely attached?'

‘What ever makes you think your son is securely attached?' The kind therapist said.

I was puzzled.

‘Erm. I’m his mum and he reaches straight for me if he is upset...?! ...: Erm ... dunno. We are very close. We have a strong bond... I think... I just know.’

‘Ok. How long has he been with you?’

‘Three years.’

‘I’d be very surprised if he was securely attached. Most adopted kids are insecurely attached.’

‘What ever makes you think your son is securely attached?'

27 October 2017, by We Are Family (436 views)

Unattached to school.

Our son has been kicked out of school.

That is two and a half years of almost constant struggle (and endless meetings) with the school reduced to just one line.

13 October 2017, by We Are Family (439 views)

The Diagnosis

It’s been one week since my son was diagnosed at St Thomas’ with ASD (Autism), ADHD, ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) and major emotional regulation difficulties. He was diagnosed by a panel consisting of a Paediatrician, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist who spent 3 hours assessing him. They were thorough, professional and understanding.

08 June 2017, by We Are Family (499 views)

Seen and not heard.

We had friends staying for a long weekend, a childless couple as well as a family with two children. It was fascinating watching the couple suddenly knee deep in four kids 24/7,

31 March 2017, by We Are Family (410 views)

The Smell of Digger

The first time I met Digger, I thought his smell was strange, and truth be told, unpleasant, vaguely off-putting. It made me very worried. How could I bond with him if I didn’t like the way he smelt? Was it a fundamental dislike I had sensed? Was adopting him going to unravel because of it?

18 November 2016, by We Are Family (370 views)

Realistically high expectations

I started a Blog a while ago suggesting that adoptive parents needed to have realistic expectations of their children's school and especially of the child's teacher.

Something stopped me completing the blog and now it is evident why that was so... I was wrong! Which sadly in our case has resulted in us failing to protect our son and failing to do right by him.