Last week one of our experienced adoptive moms came in to talk to some prospective families. She said it was, and is, a great experience. She & her husband adopted a girl 14, and her little brother,10. The young lady is remarkably resilient and is doing like any other girl her age. She’s 15 – and is going to get her cell phone privileges back any day now…. normal as normal can be.

Her brother on the other hand is a piece of work. They realized time out in his room isn’t a punishment because that’s what he did for years in his old foster home; just stayed in his room. He didn’t go out to play after school, he was kept in his room; he just stayed in his room. Only, the foster home room didn’t have a TV, or computer, or I-phone, or books, or toys, or stereo. His room now has all these things so when they send him there it’s a reward! (However, they did discover that making him sit on the stairs works wonders… hah!)

Anyway, they love him (and her) to bits. That’s why they take the time to listen deeply. Somehow they figured out that the reason he wasn’t using a knife and fork was that he didn’t know how- having never been taught. So, they simply asked him if he knew how, he said no and they asked him if he wanted to learn. He said yes, and the rest is history. It was kind of the same thing with brushing his teeth and taking a shower. And paying attention in school. And making friends. He’s got sooo much to learn. It’s a good thing he has a family to help him.

It’s a good thing they have a family. Their family is lucky to have them!