Here’s a polarizing topic: mom of PI kid (post-institutionalized, internationally adopted child) seeks advice on her son’s daycare. Son has been home a little over a year and in daycare for about nine months or so. He had a rough time adjusting to the daycare center, but initially settled in. Now that the center has moved him up to a new “class” with new caretakers and 2-year-olds instead of infants, he has become increasingly distressed. He cries for longer periods at drop-off and his sleep has been greatly disrupted.

Mom frantically wants to know what to do.... more

My thoughts on the Beyond Consequences book have to be limited to the title at this point, because like I said, I haven’t read it. But I have spent a great deal of time thinking about consequences/restitution. I’m not sure that we can totally move “beyond consequences” – be they natural or enforced by society, even if we aren’t currently using direct consequences ourselves. LuLu has spent nearly a decade in our home and within the next decade will reach adulthood, at some point we must focus on preparing her to function in the world. And that... more

I’m still thinking about the consequences/restitution thing. Kinda like the merry-go-round the girl in the picture's on...it keeps going 'round & 'round in my brain. One reader recommended that I read Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control ,the book by Bryan Post and Heather Forbes. I’ve got to say that this book is quite the lightning rod, quite the buzz generator. If Bryan & Heather’s marketing folks are reading this blog, my hats are off to you. (I don’t agree with the marketing approach, but it has definitely generated buzz…so that makes... more

I love it when readers actually comment on my blogs; it gives me opportunities for reflection. One reader asked if I was open to suggestion…and believe me I am…after parenting LuLu for nearly 9 years and still looking for answers in so many ways, I’m open.

But (you knew there’d be a “but” right?), I can’t help but wonder at what point LuLu’s own personal responsibility needs to kick in. LuLu is clearly disabled. She is clearly a product of her past trauma of 20 months in a Chinese orphanage. She is clearly a product of whatever unexplainable... more