Children who have had less than desirable experiences as babies and young children will probably have missed many important experiences that aid in attachment to their caregivers. The baby who cries and is not picked up soon learns that crying doesn't merit a response. For those who have volunteered in or visited orphanages, the almost eerie silence is something that is often mentioned. I have had opportunities to visit orphanages in China and volunteer in orphanages in Haiti, and the silence for the number of babies present is almost... more

Do you have a child who struggles with attachment? Whether an infant or an older child, is eye contact too difficult for him or her? When Ben arrived home as a four year old, eye contact was way too intense and intimate for him to handle. He loved to be rocked when he was having a hard time, and even regressed for a short time where he wanted to be held and drink from a sippy cup while I rocked him, but would he make eye contact during those times? No way.

How do you encourage children to make eye... more

Continued from part 1

I actually stand in awe that this little guy doesn't have more of them. He is in a strange country with a family who all speak a different language. He is assaulted with smells he is not used to and foods he may not enjoy. We do our best to give him comfort foods he is used to, as well as books written in Chinese and movies and CD's in Chinese, but it doesn't change the fact that he knows he is here forever, and probably has very mixed emotions about it.

Right now, our biggest issue is language and communication. Since we all use sign language, we have tried to ease his transition to... more

Caleb spent 45 minutes today under his bed...as close to the wall as he could get...screaming his head off. Before you call Child Protective Services, no, I don't put my child under the bed for a time-out. Under the bed is where he times himself out, and as it is safe and secure for him, that is where I let him stay until he is ready to come out.

When we were in China, I became emotionally exhausted with new sights, smells and sounds...and I knew I only had to endure the "differentness" for two weeks. Sure, there were and are parts about China that I love, such as the amazing history and culture and friendliness of the people. I find the ancient architecture and calligraphy... more