Our new children, ages 10 and 11, had been living with us for several months when
my husband, Jeff, and I realized we needed to reconnect as a couple. Our older birth children were
home to watch the younger ones, so we decided to resume our habit of taking walks. Time alone
together had been nonexistent, so we were looking forward to it.
But as we stepped into the street, our 11-year-old son ran after us, screaming that we were bad parents to leave him “alone.”
We learned that Daniel battled an intense fear of abandonment, and addressing his concerns day in
and day out was challenging.
Such struggles are common for children with traumatic pasts, but
dealing with issues like these can make parents weary. If you feel worn out or overwhelmed, the
following ideas might help you persevere:
Find support.
Seek professional help, connect with other adoptive parents and attend
conferences such as Refresh (www.RefreshGatherings.org). Learning how God has helped others with similar
struggles can encourage you and give you a new perspective.
Remember why you adopted.
In Mark
14:3, a woman anoints Jesus with an expensive perfume — a gift that undoubtedly involved
great sacrifice. What did Jesus say about her? “She has done a beautiful thing to me” (14:6). When you adopt an orphan, you also give a costly gift — one of
lifelong love. That’s a beautiful thing in God’s eyes. He sees your gift.
Care for yourself.
Loving a child well takes energy, so it’s counterproductive to ignore
your physical and mental health. With your spouse or a close friend, discuss what you need most:
exercise, a Bible study, the occasional date night or even regular walks. Don’t resist asking for
help, whether from family, friends, baby-sitting co-ops, church ministries or other support
groups.
Think long term.
It can take quite a while for a child to grow confident in your love
and to heal from past traumas. I know of two mothers whose daughters — both adopted as older
children — had been emotionally distant and hostile for years. But as young adults, these
girls now treat their mothers with love and respect. Life is long, and children eventually grow up
and change.
It wasn’t long before Jeff and I were taking our walks again, although the first
year with our new kids would have been easier had we sought more support. Don’t repeat our mistake.
Be intentional about seeking the help you need.
Julie Holmquist is a book editor for Focus on the Family and the author of A Call to
Love: Preparing your heart & soul for adoption.
This article first appeared in the June/July 2018 issue of Focus on the Family magazine and was originally titled “When You’re Weary.” If you enjoyed this article, read more like it in Focus on the Family’s marriage and parenting magazine. Get this publication delivered to your home by subscribing to it for a gift of any amount.
|
