We are adopters of a 15yrs boy. We’ve had him since he was 9 months.
things have progressively got worse over the years culminating lately in violence towards my husband and verbal abuse for me.
we have tried ALL of the “training& workshops” offered to us. But nothing we do makes a difference. I have become disabled within the last 4 years due to the constant barrage of abuse from him and the stress we are put under from lack of support and constant battling for help. I am absolutely at the end of my tether and I do t feel like I even love him anymore, he was my life.
Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.
Adoption
Time to Admit Disruption? 😔
Puppymamma · 30/06/2022 14:07
Jellycatspyjamas · 30/06/2022 16:18
That sounds very hard, and I can only imagine how much distress you’re in to be thinking of disruption.
I agree it’s well beyond a bit of a parenting class, what support do you currently have in place? Has he has/is having any therapy input, it’s not a magic wand, and things can get worse before they get better but it does give him space to process things.
Do you have a sense of what’s causing things to worsen, by that I mean are there learning difficulties, FASD, difficulties with his sense of identity, rejection of you as his parents? If you have an idea of what it might be about it’s easier to identify appropriate supports for him.
Do you and your husband have access to support for yourselves from other adoptive parents, through therapy or other groups? It’s easy to end up very isolated, thinking it’s your fault or that you’ve failed. This age is so very difficult for adopted children and their parents, for many varied reasons.
Do your SW services know you’re seriously considering disruption? What are they suggesting as an alternative?
While that may well be devastating for your son (and I’m sure you know this), it would be equally devastating for you and your husband to be physically harmed by him with the consequent impact on you both and him. One option may be to look at the possibility of residential care where you maintain the parental relationship but he gets the professional support he needs - I don’t know how possible that is and I’d expect your LA to push back because that kind of placement isn’t cheap but it might give enough space for you all.
Given his age, I’d be starting those very hard conversations sooner rather than later, because assessment processes can take a while once he reaches 16 it becomes more tricky because technically he could live in a supported accommodation/after care type placement rather than in the therapeutic type place he needs. They will try to kick the can down the road in the hope that he ages out of some services, so you’ll need to fight all over again.
I’m sorry you’re in this position - I know it will have taken courage to be so honest about being at your limit here, hopefully some of our long term/parents who are past the teen years will have some wisdom for you.
ifchocolatewerecelery · 01/07/2022 07:49
As you're a member of the attachment group, are you familiar with Griff's and David Bingham's stories? Both had sons who went into residential care because they were no longer safe in a home environment due to the level of violence they were displaying. Despite this or maybe because of this, both men have managed to rebuild and maintain close and positive relationships with their boys.
Sometimes the best way to parent our children is from a distance with someone else doing the day to day heavy lifting while we concentrate on building a meaningful, connected relationship which will last long into the future.
Puppymamma · 01/07/2022 07:50
Oh my goodness this sounds wonderful I will check it out 🥲🥹 thank you so much xx
ifchocolatewerecelery · 01/07/2022 07:49
As you're a member of the attachment group, are you familiar with Griff's and David Bingham's stories? Both had sons who went into residential care because they were no longer safe in a home environment due to the level of violence they were displaying. Despite this or maybe because of this, both men have managed to rebuild and maintain close and positive relationships with their boys.
Sometimes the best way to parent our children is from a distance with someone else doing the day to day heavy lifting while we concentrate on building a meaningful, connected relationship which will last long into the future.
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