The cycle will remain unbroken until you break it... I have written much about the trauma behavior of abused children. But what about the abuser? Who bothers to think of the "why" behind their actions? Jan grew up as the middle girl between two other sisters for the first 13 years of her life. When … Continue reading Fighting Personal Demons
Building Blocks for Change
As a social worker, supervising visitation between children and their estranged parents was an expectation of the job. I utilized visits to observe the interaction between child and parent as well as to incorporate goal training with the parent. Meeting with the parents before the visit, we went over our shared treatment plan and to … Continue reading Building Blocks for Change
The Shame and Blame Game
John sat in the principal's office, fists clenched, eyes unblinking...staring at the water stained drop ceiling. If he heard the low toned conversation around him, he gave no clue. The school secretary shook her head and clicked her teeth as she talked (in a too loud whisper) with the vice principal. "This boy is just … Continue reading The Shame and Blame Game
Be the Change
I notice how many people post, via social media, about the injustice in the world...the inequality...the unfair treatment of others. I can feel your outrage as the innocent and ordinary are often trampled by the powerful and self important. Rights are snatched away based on age, gender, race... The World can be a cold and … Continue reading Be the Change
Amber’s Mom
Foster Parenting: a true and ernest path for some...a Mission of Hope and Healing for those who are called. The road traveled, often paved with frustration, heartache and tears allows foster parents to play an integral part in the permanency for foster children. They choose the rocky road because, within themselves, they discover something stronger... … Continue reading Amber’s Mom
A Month of Appreciation
May is Foster Parent Appreciation month. I am not quite sure why every month is not. I surmise that to truly appreciate foster parents, you must understand what it is that they do. This month, each blog will focus on the impact made by a foster parent. Foster parents take in children who have been … Continue reading A Month of Appreciation
Feeling Alive
Yesterday I felt Alive! It was an amazing feeling all but forgotten in the past two months. Now, I felt many things during this brief period of recovery: mostly grateful...to be among the living. I went on with my daily life. But the ever present spectre of unease clung to my neck like an exotic … Continue reading Feeling Alive
Does the Bunny know Where I Am?
It's Easter Sunday. Women and girls wear their new spring dresses. Many go to church to celebrate a risen King. Some stay home with family, cooking up Easter staples like Ham, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs and other treats traditional to each family. Children wake up Easter morning to dash into the … Continue reading Does the Bunny know Where I Am?
Just Keep Swimming
I loved the Pixar movie, "Finding Nemo" and my favorite character was Dory, the optimistic fish with short term memory loss. She made so many mistakes, resulting in multiple set backs on her journey as a result of this disability. However, instead of getting discouraged, depressed or disillusioned, her motto was, "Just Keep Swimming". I … Continue reading Just Keep Swimming
Insomnia: Too Much Noise
I read an article today detailing the negative effects of secondary stress on child protective service workers. Of course the information came as no surprise to me, having lived that life for over two decades. I did feel gratified, however, that research bears out what we already knew: dealing with trauma day in and day … Continue reading Insomnia: Too Much Noise
Water for Camels 