[Michele81]

I haven't been on the boards of late because of two things I view as positive: dd in RTF and me back to gainful employment! For those of you who remember me, we were oh-so-close to disrupting due to the physical violence inflicted on me. Well, the insurance people FINALLY heard the message after sending her home from the hospital one more time. Her behavior was horrible - they had stopped her meds & WE were supposed to increase her new drug, Trileptal, over 3 weeks!
This lasted all of 48 hours, when the police AGAIN came to the house. They couldn't take her anywhere since SHE wasn't injured (but I had whiplash!) but they put her in our car so we could take her to the hospital.
She ended up in an RTF about an hour from our home. It's a large house in a residential area (no pun intended!) with 30 kids in various stages of acting out. The staff members are WONDERFUL, & I hate to say this lest I jinx myself, but there is very slight improvement in dd's behaviors.

It also has been wonderful to return to work & feel that someone respects me. I know we have a very long way to go, but this, at least, was a major prayer answered!
Thanks to all of you who have given me support & opinions.

[aspenhall]

Glad to hear things are looking up!

[SAHmom]

Hugs sent your way!

[kelceesmom]

I hopt she continues to improve.

[aMarylandfamily]

Glad things are looking brighter ... both with your daughter and yourself - it makes a difference.

For those of us with history with RTF's be glad for the improvements as they occur but also be glad for the regressions ... in order for them to address all her issues before home visits and reunification starts you want them to experience and resolve as many issues as they can ... so don't be hesitant to celebrate the victories but also celebrate the not so great ones as together all are the steps to happiness and peace within herself, her world, her family, etc. (and yes you do feel guilty the first time you hear a negative report that it feels good to know you were not alone in seeing, feeling and having those things go on).

Best wishes and do keep posting ... we are here for the good, bad and in-between times too!

[lovemy6]

How old is your dd?

Good luck on the RTF front. My son was in RTC for 18 months and it helped after he made the decision to really work on his past (took 8 months to get to that point though).

[Kansas Girl]

I hope this is the start of some healing for your daughter!


Fran

[Michele81]

Thanks for the support. I really needed your message, aMarylandfamily, since Easter started off nicely, but ended with staff intervening when her behaviors escalated. I AM glad when she acts out there because I know I'm physically safe as well as knowing that the staff can't address what they don't see!

[aMarylandfamily]

I actually thought of you earlier today as I watched postings appear from many who had very difficult weekends/holidays. While ours wasn't at the level of many they have been in the past so we understand. The first holiday/birthday/important day that comes after placement in an RTC finds the child, girl or boy, full of emotion and feelings of disbelief they aren't being rescued and despite their attempts to prove they don't care (possible the good start to the day), it hurts ... and it should ... yet alot of times its their decisions that made placement necessary and their decisions (eventually ... not immediately and not continuous to start) that will work their way to recovery and healing.

Glad my warning of the feelings helped ... this is just as hard on the parents/family especially the relief/mixed feelings as mentioned would and did occur. Our hearts go out to you - this journey is a different kind of roller coaster ride than the one to adoption and is alot more trying. Stay strong and do keep posting here - many are in your shoes or have been and that really does help!

And if I trip over the same message again and again - read them anyways - sometimes we too need several reminders before we can allow ourselves to let in the healing that occurs at home in many aspects.

Take care.

[lambeausam]

Hope the RTF helps! How do you like the new job?

Sam