In a recent phone conversation with A (Charlie’s adoptive mom), she told me that Charlie has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD.

About a year ago, she mentioned the possibility but never said anymore about it and frankly, I just forgot to ask because I thought if he did have it that she would certainly let me know as soon as it was confirmed. It wasn’t a surprising possibility to her as Charlie is super hyper, talks a mile a minute, and has a short attention span.

So, last week she confirmed that he does... more

Being adoptive parents has certainly been a very different journey than my husband and I might have had with biological kids. Aside from the obvious things, children who do not look like us, who have emotional challenges as a result of adoption, and have a history and other relationships that precede our family, one really huge thing for us has been discovering special needs in a child we had assumed was born healthy.

Our middle child appears to be a beautiful, healthy little girl. Being there from the moment she entered the world somehow left us... more

This is the week of the county fair in my area and the excitement is beginning to build for opening festivities on Wednesday night. Along with carnival rides, animal showings, tons of funnel cakes and cotton candy, there is the Little Miss and Mr.Contest and our Cierra is entered this year.

Lately our “Little Miss” is in one of her angry and combative cycles every time we turn around though, not solid contestant material to say the least. I am thinking if they gave out a ribbon for “Miss Antagonist” she would win this one... more

I wish I had a perky post ready for today, but that just is not the way my life is currently going. My four year old has been pushing me near the brink today and right now I feel very, very alone.

A few months back we finally, after almost two years of struggling, took her to a therapist and Reactive Attachment Disorder was brought up. I had always felt that children who suffered from this were mainly those who had lived deprived of early attention in an overseas orphanage, or even severely abused children in our own foster... more

I ran across a very encouraging article about a young man, Justin Klien-Edgerton of Oroville, California who was recently honored for some amazing accomplishments. Justin has been nominated to be a European ambassador for the People to People program. The program promotes world peace through people working and talking directly together.

This nothing short of a miracle for a baby who was born with serious medical issues and... more

The rule I set for Jay worked. About two minutes after Jay hung up the phone, I saw him marching through the crowd inside the fairgrounds. I could tell by his determined pace and pose that he was in an extremely foul mood.

Part: 1 2 3... more

The situation was going from bad to worse faster than the festival goers could eat their cotton candy. Jay was in there and refusing to come out.

I removed the phone from my ear and hit the button to call Jay again.

Jimmy asked, “He coming out?”

I turned to look at him. “No. He hung up.”

My baby-in-laws Dan and Kathy* were waiting patiently but I sensed concern and confusion on their part. I felt pressured. God, what they must think of all... more

Jay answered the phone when I called him from his dad’s cell. He said hello after the second ring.

“Jay, where are you?”

“You’re not dad.”

“I know.”

“But it shows his phone.” Jay was referring to the caller ID on his cell phone screen.

My little trick had worked. I never called Jay from his dad’s phone. Some kid’s might generalize and figure out mom was with dad and using dad’s phone. Not Jay. Mom called on mom’s phone. Dad... more

I was angry with myself for Jay’s disappearance. I should have slowed down and taken the time to talk him through the ride. I knew he was really upset and scared by it. I carelessly had pushed his feelings and needs aside to go have fun.

I should have felt remorseful, but instead I was angry again. This time I was angry with Jay. Couldn’t we have just one day in public without the careful two-stepping and quiet redirection? I wanted a day I didn’t have to interpret... more

Standing by the fair entrance calling Jay on his cell phone, again and again, I had to admit that this was a situation that just didn’t fit the ‘norm’ for most kids’ behavior.

I looked back over my shoulder and could see the concerned expressions of my baby-in-laws* and knew I’d have to give an explanation to Jay’s disappearance. I didn’t want them to think he was a bad kid or out of control due to bad parenting. Of all the people that walked this earth, I did not... more