[irelady10]

My son was born exposed to cocaine, and probably also alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine.

He is smart as a whip and developmentally on-target. He had some feeding, sleep, and tummy issues as a baby. He is somewhat small for his age. He still is not a great sleeper, but naps well.

BUT, he has an amazing personality, is one of the most charming kids I have ever met, and has such a kind little soul. He is BEAUTIFUL, healthy, and so so happy. I would not trade him for all the money in the world!

I don't know what the future will bring. You just have to be proactive- if you see or suspect issues, address them as soon as possible.

I have learned that, especially with kids exposed to cocaine, the early environment is one of the most important factors in their development.

[myForeverkids3]

Our little girl 18 months- daily heroin and then methadone started at 17 wks gestation. born at 26 wks 1lb 13oz and 13 inches long. She is showing great cognition. Unbelievably social. not walking yet but close. full of joy. a smile that lights up a room. adjusts well to new environments. handels change in routine very well.

The only effects I am noticing so far are that she is in constant motion, she is very presistant when she wants something and pulls hair and hits. None of these are all the time or what I would consider extreme. I think she has done remarkably well considering all she went through to come into this world.

[beckyt]

Most of this talk scares me to death! There has to be people out there that now have grown children that were born drug exposed in some way. where are there stories?

We are new Foster Parents and from what I read here we were really lucky with our first placement. A 5wk old darling baby boy. Placed for domestic abuse he was full term with no drug exposure. He came in a bit underweight but now is in the 88% percentile. He is only a little over 9wks old now and can almost sit up on his own. He just started laughing out loud and has been sleeping the night through since a lillte over 7wks of age. We have cared for him just like he was our own. We fell in love with him in less than 3 days. I could not help myself and I knew loving him the way we do will be heartbreaking when he leaves but it is about him and what he needs and not about my broken heart. He is likely leaving us tomorrow to live with his grandmother. We are devastated to say the least.

I try to tell myself we are doing a good thing and to stay strong because another little one will come to our home soon and maybe that one we will get to keep. Its when I read about all these babies and the some of the issues involved I am afraid it will be all down hill from here. Was our first placement the one and only placement where we won't have major concerns for their future? Is it really such a roll of the dice with these kids? Is it mostly out of our control aside from providing stability, love and support?

I guess I am afraid of what the placement coordinator will be calling us with next. If we refuse a placement the guilt will be tremendous. We too are a strong christian family and believe God is the one who determines who the right child for us is. Uugghhh the stress is already building.

A side note here....My mother had 3 children. None of us as were ever exposed to any alcohol, drugs or tobacco. I was the only one out of the three of us that had terrible colic for almost the whole first year. I cried all the time. I did not sleep well at all and was constantly sick. I also have mild ADHD. When I think of all that I guess it supports the whole theory that (every child is different) and results do not always depend on the curcumstances.

I am in awe of all of you. You all give so much of yourselves while not knowing much about what your going to get or not get in return. Those are some big shoes to fill and I just hope we can somehow fill them.

[Barksum]

beckyt, I used to feel the same way. BUT God does not give us children and then laugh as we stumble around. Ask for wisdom. God delights in giving us good things, so ask for them. I realized one day that He doesn't give us children and then not enable us to provide for them.

This does not mean that there aren't those days...or weeks....