Enuresis and encopresis—urinating or defecating in clothing—can be distressing for caregivers, but these behaviors often stem from trauma, neglect, or medical issues rather than carelessness or defiance. Children who struggle with these conditions need empathy and support, not shame or punishment.
Kids from hard places often struggle with executive functioning skills, which can lead to frustration for both them and their caregivers. However, through scaffolding—modeling, co-regulation, supervision, and small wins—caregivers can help children gradually develop these skills. While progress is slow, with patience and support, children can strengthen their executive functioning and build confidence in their abilities.
Attachment, the emotional bond formed between an infant and caregiver, can be disrupted by early trauma. Caregivers can support healing through professional therapy and intentional activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, and outdoor play, which foster connection and trust. While these activities may not fully restore attachment, they can significantly strengthen relational bonds and promote emotional growth.
Children’s persistent dysregulation, marked by outbursts, can stem from factors like sleep deprivation, hunger, sensory sensitivities, and emotional triggers. Addressing these needs enables caregivers to support children’s emotional stability effectively.
When life gets stressful, meltdowns can occur. To recover, the body, brain, and spirit needs to get back online for the person and for the people around them.
Everything in this Jesus story lines up with what we know about how trauma experiences are processed and healed. Jesus did this over two thousand years ago.
This document explores secure attachment through attachment theory and an individual’s attachment to God through Christ as encouraged in the Bible.
What Motivates Stealing among Foster and Adoptive Kids? The answer can help caregivers to make sense of this behavior, and to respond in a compassionate way.
Consequences are not bad. Regulation and relationship are key if kids are going to able to reasonably change their behavior and function better in the future, for the future.
