Friday 2 April 2010

Building the bonds of attachment...

Gosh, it's been a nearly a month - no excuses other than business at work, I could talk about GCSE coursework, and A level practical exams but it would be boring. However, it's the Easter holidays now... two weeks off work!

I've just finished reading a fascinating book 'Building the Bonds of Attachment' (Dan Hughes). I'm not saying it's an easy read, but it looks at the problems that a neglected child (with attachment issues) might face when it comes to living in a foster or adoptive home.

The book starts by looking at Katie's life at home with her birth parents. The acts that show 'good enough parenting' and then eventually the 'not coping'. It then moves through 3 foster homes with experienced and less experienced parents. It talks about the normal therapy that she had. It talks through the eventual break down of foster home no. 3, due to her behaviour and need to control.

The book then talks about the fourth foster home and the new therapist that was found for Katie. It takes about how Katie's new foster mum parented her, so that she couldn't get into so much trouble. It talks about the stresses and strains. It discusses the type of therapy that actually helped, where Katie was allowed to play and become relaxed, but also made to face tough things in her place.

It showed the type of parenting that we might have to do. It was an amazing book. I have to return it to the library tomorrow, but I want to get my own copy. I get the feeling that re-reading the book at a later point will help me get more out of it.

2 comments:

SassyCupcakes said...

That sounds really interesting. I'll have to add it to my 'to buy' list.

Eva said...

Sounds like a great book. I'll add it to my list. thanks!