Thank you Kim! This is the article i needed to read. You and Dave were my inspiration to get my foster license last year. I’ve had 4 short-term placements so far. This piece addresses the subject i’ve come to realize is most under-discussed. I want to be more prepared for when i get a long term placement, and i will be checking out the books you’ve recommended.
Your ability to connect and give insight and inspire questions is amazing. I love Raffi, and I love how you love him. Thank you for sharing and pouring light on this.
You know I love everything you’ve ever written and this piece is no different. I was just telling my husband that I hate reading your work because it’s hard to read something we live with, and I love reading them because it’s good to know I’m not alone. Is it weird to be happy someone is suffering with you?
When you talked about making the invisible visible 🤯 guilty. I never wanted anyone to know her business then I realized I was hurting her by not giving others the chance to step up for her.
Thanks, this means a lot coming from you. I swear I read an essay of yours about drinking that still haunts me, but I can't find it anywhere. You're a writer's writer.
You and David are such special souls — and a great team. Thank you for sharing so much of the good and the ‘bad,’ and the lessons you’ve learned along the way. And thanks for teaching us about blocked care; I’m researching that more rn. Wishing you and your beautiful family lots more happy (and smooth) days ahead. Fwiw, ❤️ the motto and t-shirt idea!
I so wish I could be that parent, the one who seems to have had eternal patience. I was not. Fortunately my son was and is neuronormative. I send blessings in your support for your child. He is so lucky to have found his way to you.
I am definitely not the eternal patience mom. LOL. There have been a number of times that I have locked myself in the car, rolled up the windows, just to have the space to calm down. whew! Thanks for your kind words. xo
Blocked Care: it's a topic that's not only under-represented in the foster/adoptive world but also one that I've literally never seen discussed anywhere in regard to neurodivergent parenting. But it is SO real. I could relate to so much of what Kim beautifully shared about parenting a child who is virtually always in a state of fight or flight. You can only *feel* love for so long toward someone who hits you and screams at you in return, (especially a child who isn't able to verbally explain what is bothering them) before you get worn down. It's exhausting and not something anyone should feel ashamed about. It's a natural survival mechanism. AND there are things you can do to help yourself get back to a healthier, balanced state. If you're struggling through long days of aggression and meltdowns, NeuroMama, know you're not alone. Standing with you ❤️❤️❤️ — Shannon
Thank you Kim! This is the article i needed to read. You and Dave were my inspiration to get my foster license last year. I’ve had 4 short-term placements so far. This piece addresses the subject i’ve come to realize is most under-discussed. I want to be more prepared for when i get a long term placement, and i will be checking out the books you’ve recommended.
Wishing you all the best on your journey in foster care. Def check out the books. They will help with more long term placements with trauma! xo
Your ability to connect and give insight and inspire questions is amazing. I love Raffi, and I love how you love him. Thank you for sharing and pouring light on this.
Raffi loves you back. As do I. xo
You know I love everything you’ve ever written and this piece is no different. I was just telling my husband that I hate reading your work because it’s hard to read something we live with, and I love reading them because it’s good to know I’m not alone. Is it weird to be happy someone is suffering with you?
When you talked about making the invisible visible 🤯 guilty. I never wanted anyone to know her business then I realized I was hurting her by not giving others the chance to step up for her.
You’re my fave. I don’t care what raffi says😬
I missed this when you originally posted. You and I are sisters in arms. We have this. Love Im you!
I have so much respect for you, doing the good, real work. Thank you for sharing, wishing you all the best.
Thank you, Lisa. BTW, I am loving reading your essays!
Thanks, this means a lot coming from you. I swear I read an essay of yours about drinking that still haunts me, but I can't find it anywhere. You're a writer's writer.
I hope you will continue to write with such ferocious honesty. I have learned so much from this series-- thank you, Kim! xo
Thanks so much, Eva. love to the family. xo
You and David are such special souls — and a great team. Thank you for sharing so much of the good and the ‘bad,’ and the lessons you’ve learned along the way. And thanks for teaching us about blocked care; I’m researching that more rn. Wishing you and your beautiful family lots more happy (and smooth) days ahead. Fwiw, ❤️ the motto and t-shirt idea!
I'm here if you want to talk more about this. xo
I so wish I could be that parent, the one who seems to have had eternal patience. I was not. Fortunately my son was and is neuronormative. I send blessings in your support for your child. He is so lucky to have found his way to you.
I am definitely not the eternal patience mom. LOL. There have been a number of times that I have locked myself in the car, rolled up the windows, just to have the space to calm down. whew! Thanks for your kind words. xo
Blocked Care: it's a topic that's not only under-represented in the foster/adoptive world but also one that I've literally never seen discussed anywhere in regard to neurodivergent parenting. But it is SO real. I could relate to so much of what Kim beautifully shared about parenting a child who is virtually always in a state of fight or flight. You can only *feel* love for so long toward someone who hits you and screams at you in return, (especially a child who isn't able to verbally explain what is bothering them) before you get worn down. It's exhausting and not something anyone should feel ashamed about. It's a natural survival mechanism. AND there are things you can do to help yourself get back to a healthier, balanced state. If you're struggling through long days of aggression and meltdowns, NeuroMama, know you're not alone. Standing with you ❤️❤️❤️ — Shannon