One Thankful Mom - Lisa Qualls

Do you ever worry about how adopting children with significant trauma histories is impacting your other children? I was feeling discouraged about one of the younger kids, my brain wearied by the challenge of parenting kids with challenges. I said something to one of my older sons about adoption being really hard on everyone. He […]

Easter is nearly here, and with it comes the challenge of celebrating a holiday with our kids from “hard places.” Many of our kids crave routine, and holidays throw them off. Here are six simple tips for helping our kids stay regulated this Easter. 1.| Sleep: As much as possible, keep bedtime routines the same, […]

Nurturing Enemy  Today, for the first time, I heard the words, “nurturing enemy” used to describe the way a child with an attachment disorder may perceive their mother, particularly an adoptive mother. That’s me – the nurturing enemy. If you are parenting children from very “hard places,” kids who have experienced severe early childhood trauma, […]

Oprah speaks and people listen. She has become passionate about asking, “What happened to you?” rather than “What’s wrong with you?” Those of us who make children the focus of our life work, need to be asking the right questions. As Dr. Bruce Perry said in the interview, children with early trauma are, “wired differently.” […]