the family that wants to be baby sis's parents contacted us yesterday and said that they've been denied the opportunity to have her back. They are devastated, as are we. We actually think they were well suited for her. One of the few willing to put up with her crap and not give up on her.
It got me to thinking about how rough things were for baby sis while she was staying with them and wondering why she was going so crazy, when it was pretty obvious that she actually liked that family. They are the only family she's stayed in contact with while in residential.
I also realized that some of our most challenging times were while baby sis was with them too.
Hummm.....
I'm thinking it was the sibling visits.
They've been separated since May 2012.
They had a visit in fall of 2012.
In 2013, they saw each other April, June, November and December.
In 2014, they saw each other March, May, June, August, October, November and December.
In 2015, they saw each other in February, April and May.
That family entered the picture in October of 2015.
January-April was really rough for our family. Kiddo really started turning arond in May and has been at her best since May and at her worst January-April.
I can't help but wonder if they triggered each other so bad, that's why both of them have had their worst behaviors in ages early this year.
In August, just the mention of baby sis and kiddo asked to not have to talk on the phone with her yet. I asked kiddo to tell me when she's ready for calls and/or visits. To date, she hasn't requested anything.
Kiddo has been better than she ever was since May. We've had the calmest 6 months since our family has been established. Coincidence or because we told her she's allowed to control the frequency of visits?
Trauma Bonds are exhausting and heartbreaking.
I love both of these girls dearly and I just wish they could both be happy and well adjusted. I think ours is on her way there.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
Trick or Treat
How old do you let your kids continue to trick or treat?
I'd give treats to a kid of any age (or adult) if they were dressed the part. But, we live in the country, in the last 13 years, we have had ZERO trick or treaters.
Kiddo wants to go trick or treating so badly. We said no to trick or treating, but considering letting her go trunk or treating. Church wouldn't be judgmental about my crazy teen coming for candy, right? lol
Not sure if we'll go for it or not. She was going to have a party but the few she wanted to come can't come on Halloween, so she's having her get together the day after Halloween.
Now that she's free on Halloween, she wants candy!! Like we wouldn't buy her a ton.
So, what's your rule? What do you all do on Halloween? Just about have her talked into going to see Goosebumps on Halloween.
I'd give treats to a kid of any age (or adult) if they were dressed the part. But, we live in the country, in the last 13 years, we have had ZERO trick or treaters.
Kiddo wants to go trick or treating so badly. We said no to trick or treating, but considering letting her go trunk or treating. Church wouldn't be judgmental about my crazy teen coming for candy, right? lol
Not sure if we'll go for it or not. She was going to have a party but the few she wanted to come can't come on Halloween, so she's having her get together the day after Halloween.
Now that she's free on Halloween, she wants candy!! Like we wouldn't buy her a ton.
So, what's your rule? What do you all do on Halloween? Just about have her talked into going to see Goosebumps on Halloween.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
BFF Love
Starting to think maybe we're seeing the drifting apart of the super closeness that kiddo and her BFF have had.
After our August vacation, taking BFF with us, we said BFF was going to have to step up if she wanted the perks of being kiddos bff. We take her everywhere with us, treat her like our daughter when she's with us and 95% of their relationship is one sided. We spoil BFF. BFF rarely asks her to do things with their family. Not really an issue as their family is much larger, so we have the funds to spoil, but more than an occassional "Come over and hang out" would be nice.
Kiddo is starting to talk about inviting other friends to do things and expressing a little need to seek out a more balanced relationship.
BFF spends so much time texting the boyfriend, crossing a few lines in several areas and a little more grown than she needs to be. Kiddo is finally realizing while they love hanging out and love each other, they are more different than similar and she's starting to get freaked out by some stuff.
So proud of her for speaking up and seeking ideas on how to change her path.
We shall see what comes of this.
On another note though, such sisters, these bff''s.
Friday Night, BFF woke up at 2 am and I was awake for some reason and she said "Mommy (yes, she calls me mommy), I'm going to push your daughter out of this bed. I hate sleeping with her. She's getting on my nerves and her knee has been up my butt"
Saturday Night, Kiddo woke up 2 am and said "Momma, BFF is getting on my nerves and her knee is up my butt, I can't sleep"
lol
The crazies of BFF life.
After our August vacation, taking BFF with us, we said BFF was going to have to step up if she wanted the perks of being kiddos bff. We take her everywhere with us, treat her like our daughter when she's with us and 95% of their relationship is one sided. We spoil BFF. BFF rarely asks her to do things with their family. Not really an issue as their family is much larger, so we have the funds to spoil, but more than an occassional "Come over and hang out" would be nice.
Kiddo is starting to talk about inviting other friends to do things and expressing a little need to seek out a more balanced relationship.
BFF spends so much time texting the boyfriend, crossing a few lines in several areas and a little more grown than she needs to be. Kiddo is finally realizing while they love hanging out and love each other, they are more different than similar and she's starting to get freaked out by some stuff.
So proud of her for speaking up and seeking ideas on how to change her path.
We shall see what comes of this.
On another note though, such sisters, these bff''s.
Friday Night, BFF woke up at 2 am and I was awake for some reason and she said "Mommy (yes, she calls me mommy), I'm going to push your daughter out of this bed. I hate sleeping with her. She's getting on my nerves and her knee has been up my butt"
Saturday Night, Kiddo woke up 2 am and said "Momma, BFF is getting on my nerves and her knee is up my butt, I can't sleep"
lol
The crazies of BFF life.
Morning Talks
We have such good quality conversations and/or laughter, whether serious or not on the way to school in the mornings. While kiddo is not a morning person, usually we can talk in the car.
Yesterday:
Kiddo: (tells me story about something that happened at school yesterday)
Kiddo: "I just couldn't tell him no!"
Me: (thinking teachable moment)
Me: "Yeah, not being able to say no worries me"
Kiddo: lol, not like that momma, you know I can say no, I say no to chores all the time
Crazy kid!! What?
Today:
(after a rough start to the morning and serious ODD issues)
Me: What's going on? What are you stressed about?
Kiddo: I don't know
Me: Well, if you did know, what would you tell me
Kiddo: Weirdo!! Okay, I'm worried you and daddy are mad at me
Me: Huh? Why?
Kiddo: Over my grades (report card last week)
me: What did we do Saturday?
Kiddo: Went to the movies and Game Stop
me: and what was that a reward for?
Kiddo: The good grades (laughs)
Kiddo: But there were some bad test scores
Me: You applied yourself this time, no missing assignments, full participation and obvious you worked hard on it. Why would we get mad about that?
Kiddo: I guess you wouldn't.
Kiddo: Laughs
Get to school, drop her off
Me: I love you, have a great day
Kiddo: Blah, blah (laughs again)
Yesterday:
Kiddo: (tells me story about something that happened at school yesterday)
Kiddo: "I just couldn't tell him no!"
Me: (thinking teachable moment)
Me: "Yeah, not being able to say no worries me"
Kiddo: lol, not like that momma, you know I can say no, I say no to chores all the time
Crazy kid!! What?
Today:
(after a rough start to the morning and serious ODD issues)
Me: What's going on? What are you stressed about?
Kiddo: I don't know
Me: Well, if you did know, what would you tell me
Kiddo: Weirdo!! Okay, I'm worried you and daddy are mad at me
Me: Huh? Why?
Kiddo: Over my grades (report card last week)
me: What did we do Saturday?
Kiddo: Went to the movies and Game Stop
me: and what was that a reward for?
Kiddo: The good grades (laughs)
Kiddo: But there were some bad test scores
Me: You applied yourself this time, no missing assignments, full participation and obvious you worked hard on it. Why would we get mad about that?
Kiddo: I guess you wouldn't.
Kiddo: Laughs
Get to school, drop her off
Me: I love you, have a great day
Kiddo: Blah, blah (laughs again)
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