[Indy]

I was reading some of my postings. It sounds like we have crisis after crisis here. Well, sometimes it is like that but other times we do have some peace.

I don't want to scare away any "newbies" from adopting. I happen to be a glutton for punishment and adopted a lot of sons around the same age. Then, they became teenagers together! So, teen problems multiplied times 5.

I love my sons. I don't like some of the things they do sometimes (ok lots of times). I even admitted in an earlier post that I don't like one at all. My life has completely changed in the past 9 years for the better. Success is measured (in our world) in baby steps not leaps and bounds.

[lucyjoy]

Actually, your posts sound eerily like my house 2 and 3 years ago when my now 4 19 year olds were 16.

And I must say, though I don't like all my kids choices, I do enjoy my adult children. They have wonderful personalities and we have good relationships(to the ability they understand relationships)

I don't think your posts are scaring anyone away. I also think a lot of the issues you've posted lately are unfortunately, common among many teens today, adopted or not. Sad, really.

I have developed the not so nice attitude that if posts here scare someone away from adopting, they aren't really ready for the real thing anyway. While these things aren't the main picture of parenting our kids, they are real and they do happen.

[CaddoRose]

I haven't been on the boards for a long time, but we all tend to post when we need help or just a friendly ear. It's ok to do that. That is what we're all here for.

Because I'm interested in adopting special needs children, the posts on this board have really helped me by showing me some of the things that can happen and that there is a way to deal with them. So keep posting.

[chickymum]

I think Lucy is right. The issues that you deal with are very real. Many, many people, including myself go into special needs adoption thinking that after a few hugs the issues will go away but they don't and if hearing your issues are scaring people away then they are obviously not be ready for this kind of adoption.

[aMarylandfamily]

DH and I finally got some one on one time to chat and catch up as I found myself apologizing for "whining" some - noting that it just seems like we have been in a time wharp where it seems like ds is doing nothing but irritating me (and in turn I am angering him as it seems like he can't do anything he want to or anything right) ... and yet we too have many good times - times we even enjoy - it just seems like lately those have been far and few between so will work on that (hopefully)....

Remember - when others know you are going through a rough spell they can help and you help them by reassuring them that they are not the only ones with times like yours ... keep posting just as you always have!

[Archive]

I find your threads and others on the special needs board to be so very helpful and even comforting. It is hard to find other people with children that have issues similar to mine and raising children with behavior disorders can be isolating. It is great to come here and know that there are others that understand.