“THE PROCESS IS THE END. FOR IT IS THE PROCESS THAT IS GLORIFYING TO GOD.” --Oswald Chambers

"This life therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal, but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed." --Martin Luther

Saturday, December 28, 2013

ORLANDO 2014-ONLY 70 DAYS AWAY!!

We have had some moms cancel and have room for you to join us! I know you have been thinking about it, now is the time to take a leap of faith. If you are afraid to fly, we may have someone in your area to make the trip with you either by plane or car. If you can't imagine what will happen to your family while you are gone, our alumni can tell you what worked or didn't for their families. If you are terrified to travel across the country or to another country to meet a 100+ women you only met online, I promise we were terrified, too. If you worry your family isn't as traumatized as the other families are, we will still support you and make you laugh until you cry. Money? I have some cheap beds available. It's just a weekend.
 ~ Rachel, Executive Director, Beyond Trauma and Attachment

 


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Little Man

He said I couldn't put it on Facebook, so I will put it on the blog!! 

He wanted his hair cut like dad's.  I was a little leary of going that short...but dad did it anyway!  He kept teasing Myron with different styles.  Myron wasn't too impressed with this mohawk.
 

Here is the finished product. 


My two amigos!  Myron is very worried about giving me a kiss each morning since dad is gone :)


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

IT'S AUCTION TIME!!!!!



 We are moms from all over the USA and Canada who are raising children who have experienced early childhood trauma and attachment resistance. Our children have come to us through foster care, domestic adoption, international adoption, blended families and birth. We provide support, rejuvenation, and education through online groups, our website, and a yearly retreat in Orlando, FL.

Each year BeTA holds an auction to raise money for our yearly retreat, this money provides scholarships to help defray the cost of the retreat for moms all over the country and Canada.
 
 
THERE ARE SOME TOTALLY AWESOME AND YUMMY ITEMS THIS YEAR!!  
THERE ARE SOME SUPER CUTIE-PUTOOTIE crochet hats as well!

Get on over there and bid, bid, bid!!  There is still plenty of time to bid-auction closes July 27.  You can put in a "proxy" maximum bid so you don't have to keep checking it-you will get an email if you are out bid.
 
 
AND...with any additional donation of $5.00 or more added on to your final payment or made using the "Donate Now" button, you will receive a postcard sized print of "We are all Wonder Women!" artwork.

 
In the totally strange event that you don't see anything you'd like, we will gladly accept your tax deductible donation!  Just click the "DONATE MONEY" tab on the left hand side of the screen.
 
We are already at 3/4 of our goal!!  We'd love to blow that right out of the sky and help MORE MOMS connect, rejuvenate, recuperate and be encouraged in the journey of motherhood-Beyond Trauma and Attachement!

To learn more about trauma and attachment please visit our website at www.momsfindhealing.com.

Thank-you for supporting BeTA (Beyond Trauma and Attachment)!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

BeTA--Beyond Trauma and Attachment

This is a link to the group that puts on "Orlando" each year.  
There are some great resources, great blog posts, information and support available here.

www.momsfindhealing.com

This is a new page put up today.  I was going to highlight some of the info, but it's all good stuff, so I will just copy the whole page.

In a perfect world, children will grow up feeling loved, cared for and protected. They will remain innocent of life's tragedy and will grow up unscathed by it.  Unfortunately this is not always the case.  Some children experience devastating trauma before they are even able to process the events. 
If we define trauma as a overwhelming or distressing act that is unusual for someone to encounter (emphasis mine), EARLY TRAUMA would be those events that occurs to a child between the ages of 0 and 6 years old. We are typically speaking of repeated trauma that happens numerous times over a period of time  such as physical, mental or sexual abuse.  Chronic Trauma can also occur in a child who lives in a dangerous environment such as a rough neighborhood, negligent conditions or a family where arguments and physical abuse happen often.  Since the abuse can be repeated or prolonged, these children often live in a state of hyper-vigilance waiting for another episode of abuse to happen.
Because every person is different and our brains process actions in such a different manor, children can react in many different ways to Early Trauma.   Anger can be present and acting out will likely follow and can produce rage in children.  Some children may be sad and withdrawn, questioning why things happened and even startle easily expecting someone to lash out at them and be constantly fearful.  Others can shut down completely and show no emotions at all, withdrawing into their own world and becoming detached from reality or dissociating.  
Regardless of how it effects children the brutality they suffer will haunt them for a long period of time.  The adults in their life are left to pick up the pieces.  In many instances, these children are removed from their families due to the trauma and are placed into foster homes or adoptive placements.  Sometimes other family members become primary care-givers and have to learn how to care for them in the aftermath of the traumatic events.
Chronic Early Trauma in many cases can also leave behind a child who becomes "attachment resitant".  It is understandable that a child who has trusted their  caregivers to keep them safe and meet their most basic needs and has had that fail will be less likely to trust any other care giver that comes into their life.  They can also assign the anger or frustration that they have for their abuser out on the person who is now in the position to keep them safe.  They can use this as a coping mechanism to not get close to another person and allow them to let them down or hurt them.
Since we have no idea how trauma will effect a child, it should be said that in some cases, the sheer act of adoption itself could be a trauma.  Even children adopted at birth can experince a sense of loss that is so strong that it effects future relationships with care givers.  These children have experienced loss and the way it is dealt with in their brain is beyond our understanding. It is understandable that an infant that has spent 9 months in their mother's womb would feel an organic attachment to her and her environment and if that bond is broken, this could have an impact. (emphasis mine)
A child who is exhibiting attachment issues may avoid eye contact, may have a “flat” affect where smiling is rare, doesn't reach out to be near to an adult, may not seem to notice when an adult leaves the room.  They may also engage in self soothing behaviors such as rocking to comfort themselves as they have learned that others don’t fill that need.

Future relationships with these children can also be effected since the basis of building trusting relationships is broken.  They may be developmentally delayed due to lack of interest or due to neglect.  They will likely have problems relating to adults and even peers. Many other disorders tend to be comorbid Early Trauma such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Developmental Delays, Mental Retardation, BiPolar, Sensory Integration Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Aspergers).
Impacts of Trauma
Anger problems – Anger could be expressed in numerous ways.  It could be rages and tantrums or even manipulative, passive aggressive behaviors.  These survivors may outwardly express their anger by giving very hard hugs disguised as kindness. Sometimes this anger comes out in destructive ways like destroying property.

Control issues – Most children who have grown up in a situation that was laced with trauma, need to feel as though they are in control.  So many choices have been made for them that they try to cling to a shred of control so they don’t feel helpless.  They can be defiant, oppositional, disobedient and argue constantly.  These children are sneaky and demanding in order to get what they want.

Difficulty in showing affection – typically these children have difficulty in exhibiting genuine care for their caregivers.  They are unable to trust fully, therefore showing affection with their caregivers is difficult (inhibited).  The child may be extremely withdrawn, emotionally detached, and resistant to comforting.  Children do not seek comfort from caregiver when sick or injured. They may also show inappropriate affection to strangers (disinhibited) and may seek comfort and attention from virtually anyone.

Avoiding touch – many children who have experienced trauma may flinch, laugh or get angry when touched.   Due to the resistance to attach, touch can be perceived as a threat. 
 
Lack of Conscience – these children may fail to show remorse for their actions.  Their behaviors are seen as protecting themselves so guilt, regret and remorse is not projected.  They may also engage in nonsensical lying and constant chatter.

Lack of Understanding Cause and Effect – They may not fully think through their choice to what the consequences of their actions may be, or not even fully connect the outcome with the initial decision.  This may also lead them to blame others for their behaviors or their actions.
Parenting a child with early trauma or attachment resistance can be a roller coaster.  Parents often feel frustration over how to help their child, anger that the child has to endure this difficult situation, exhaustion due to dealing with constant vigilance, anger, rages, and emotional swings.  

It is difficult to ask for help when you don’t even know how to help yourself.  Parents feel completely and utterly alone much like the child is feeling.  Parents appear angry, tired, either overly reactive to what the child does; or totally disconnected from the child.  Siblings exhibit problems of anger, fear, and depression.  The entire family is in a state of distress.

Each child encompasses their trauma differently, it is a struggle to find ways that work to help them feel safe and protected.  Trying many different things and yet being consistent in our patience and understanding is key.  Sharing our successes and failures is one way we can connect and empower other families to keep searching for healing.

You are not alone.

Monday, May 13, 2013

some fun pics...



Someone smiling for Daddy in the hospital


Were they more excited for me to be home, or Lily??


Rub-a-dub-dub, three boys in the tub

FROM CYBIL MARIAH'S FORMAL








Monday, April 29, 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Charles never lived in Africa, but he sure did become a "back baby" :) 
Usually he just hangs on and the girls have to walk around until he falls asleep. 
He loves it!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

ETAAM

There are still a few openings for the Early Trauma and Attachment Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL this coming March 8-11!!
I gotta tell ya...I have been exctied for this ever since I registered...in June!!!  I have already met moms all over the country and am so thankful for the encouragement and understanding I have already found.  I can't wait to meet them in real life!
If you have any questions, let me know and I will do my best to get them answered.  Otherwise, email Corey at the address below.  Would love to have you join us!
WHAT is ETAAM/Orlando?

ETAAM is a respite retreat designed for moms of kids with attachment (and related) disorders. It first started in 2010 with 9 brave women who flew from all over the US in search of support for their challenging lives. In 2011, 67 women were in attendance (including our first Canadians!) In March 2012, 90 women gathered. ETAAM was created by moms of kids with attachment disorders, and is run solely on a volunteer basis. It has become an invaluable community and an indispensable annual pilgrimage for many attendees.

WHO can attend ETAAM?

ETAAM is primarily for moms of kids with attachment and related disorders (PTSD, ASD, BPD, ADHD, and a host of other alphabet soup diagnoses). We have bio moms, adoptive moms, step moms, foster moms, and other female caregivers. We have moms that are currently parenting, moms whose children are not able to live at home, and moms who no longer have a child with a trauma history in their home. ETAAM is a child-free environment. If you are unsure whether ETAAM is right for you, please email Corey Waters at jcwaters2002@yahoo.com
  For more more FAQ, click here.
To read about the rooms/villas available, click here. 
Update--there is one quad in Hollywood ($85 lodging fee) and one king ($190), one queen ($190) and two doubels ($145 each) in Party Palace still available.   There is also a $175 fee for food, ground transportation, souvenirs and other misc.