As if the thought of raising traumatized children is not enough, I’ve now learned a little about complex trauma. I’m again referring to Focal Point.

“Complex trauma describes the dual problem of children’s exposure to multiple traumatic events and the impact of this exposure on immediate and long-term outcomes.”

Nearly all of my children fall into this category, it was a series of traumatic events that brought them into our family, some memories intact and... more

This devastating article, Hunger Kill 18,000 Kids Each Day was not the headline on the Drudge Report. Matt Drudge’s headline, early this morning, was about Britney Spear’s shaved head. I’m simply buffaloed.

What is wrong with us as a civilized society? We’re the audience that the media plays to, we’re the ones that read what they write, and they think we give a rat’s rear end about a shaved head on a drunken, partying celebrity... more

My single, main cause can be defined as my passion for my very large family. A family put together by the adoption of nine sibling groups, and two other children, one birth and one all by herself, a rarity in our family. I can say, without a doubt, that this devotion to my cause, my family, is where I get my energy and I constantly hear people wonder aloud, “How does Cindy do all that?”

I do all this because I am deeply devoted to our cause and that alone energizes, challenges, and thrills me each day, making me always eager for the next day. I... more

I saw this news clip of the father of an 11 year old wrestler, running to the mat, and slinging his son’s opponent into the air.

My 16 year old son, adopted at age 3, with his sweet siblings from Texas, took up high school wrestling just this year. I have 21 sons, seven older than him, yet this was our first foray into varsity wrestling. I had a lot to learn about the rules, holds and procedures, but even I, a... more

Ten elementary school age children of mine just burst through the back door, high and wired from the amount of sugar they consumed at their Valentine’s Day Parties, plus the massive amount of chocolates, suckers and other assorted candies they also drug home.

Kids from a deprived background, you’d think they’d bicker over every morsel, yet I’ve seen a totally different spectacle surprisingly happening here within my family each time.

They share.

They remember their years of lack; they seem to want to ensure that the younger... more

Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect. Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is a concept I’ve struggled with mightily in our family. Again, in the adoption of older children, I wasn’t there during many of their formative years, when the odds seemed to be stacked against them, and when they were in survival mode, struggling each day just to get basic necessities, protecting themselves against abuse, living in resignation, with the neglect.

It’s hard enough for the general population to maintain a positive... more

A crisis in a normal family causes all sorts of stress and concern, in a large adoptive family, such as ours, everyone immediately seems to be on guard; wary with raised hackles.

All of my children and grandchildren, with their finely tuned radars, always seem to be on edge anyway, fearing their world could collapse once again. Years of observing me deal with every fly ball hit my way, has helped them all learn coping skills but, more importantly, to learn to trust an adult to have their best interests at heart.

My grandchildren... more

This entry may reflect a little bit of bitterness as I reflect upon the vitriol dumped out on me on a regular basis, although usually only by one child at a time, and for that I should be grateful. It occurs to be though, that if I’ve sunk so low, that the thought of only one ingrate at a time is cheering, maybe I ought to get out more or something.

I read Claudia Jewett’s books, and many more, before I even started adopting, and I was MAPP... more

My cohort at Adopt America Network, my dear friend, and an experienced adoptive mom also has a blog. Yesterday she’d come across some information about psychopathic personalities that I’m going to include here, advising parents to read the entire article.

RAD symptoms are remarkably similar as is Borderline... more

I have yet another out-of-home placement to detail here. A 15 year old, very violent son of mine has been locked up at a youth detention facility due to several family violence charges. I have undoubtedly adopted some of the angriest kids on the planet it would appear.

This young man has had a couple of out-of-home placements already such as a respite placement for a month, a boy’s ranch for nine months, and YDC on three different occasions. Nothing has made an impact on his anger management issues yet.

I just received a call that... more