A few days ago I was on an adoption page on social media. Someone was telling the story of their AS (adopted son) who was raging constantly, hitting them, breaking things in the home and undressing, then urinating all over the home. She was broken, completely broken. She had given everything she had to this boy for more than three years. Expensive therapies, a laundry list of “try this, try that” approaches, and more love than you can imagine. And by the way, no one does this, for this long, if they don’t have deep love and commitment. This boy was just 11 years old so this has been going on since he was 8.
Someone commented to her to just hold on because he just needs more love. I wish I could scream! SERIOUSLY!! You think this woman has not loved? LOVE IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS!!! What this woman has done goes so far beyond love that you cannot even comprehend it.
This child HATES her. With a passion that goes beyond anything you and I can imagine. This child spends every waking moment figuring out more ways to HURT her, destroy her and everything she holds dear. This child sees her as the person that took him away from everything he knew up to the point of the adoption. And it matters not one bit that he said he wanted to be adopted and have a family. She does not dare show any affection to anyone or anything because he will instantly target it for destruction.
This woman has watched this child not only destroy her home, but her family. Her bio daughter is in therapy, diagnosed with PTSD. Yeah, that thing that soldiers in battle have. All the bio daughter wants is to be out of the house, away from the daily drama/trauma. This woman has watched her husband fall away from her and he is now the defender of the AS. Yup! Happens more than you think. It’s called TRIANGULATION! And RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) children/teens are experts at it. Manipulation at its finest!
TRIANGULATION. When the adopted child/teen is allowed to come between the married parents. They show their worst side only to one parent, typically the mom who they see as the enemy, and never, ever show that side to the other parent. To the other parent they are loving, gentle, sweet as can be.
In one recent case the father moved out into an apartment with the AD (adopted daughter) leaving both the mother and two bio children in the home. Father was convinced the mother was crazy and making up everything. Even after being shown pictures the father told the mother that she did it all to get AD in trouble with him. He is fighting for custody of the bio children but bio children refuse to go to the apartment with AD. What a crazy mess.
I’m going to give two pieces of advice here. First, if you are the husband in an adoption scenario where your wife is telling you horror stories of what’s going on behind your back BELIEVE HER!!! Research triangulation. You MUST show a united front with your wife to the adopted child/teen. Every single time. Do NOT let one crack show in your unity because I guarantee you that the child/teen will see it and use it against your wife. I know you don’t want to believe that the sweet, affectionate girl/boy is a terror but they are. And they are bent on destroying your family, however they can.
And second, if you are a friend of someone going through adoption hell, please listen to me. Do NOT tell them any of the following:
You just need to give them more time.
You just need to give them more love.
You are doing this for God.
Would you want this child re-homed, or in an institution if he/she were your bio child/teen?
You just need to try this. Or this. Or this. Or this. AS IF those things and ten more weren’t already tried. Do you think we are that dumb? Really?
AND…..DO NOT under any circumstances, try to befriend the child/teen. You will then be a part of a triangulation situation and you WILL make matters MUCH worse! And if you are truly a friend you will just love on your friend, BELIEVE her and don’t do anything unless she has given her permission. Do NOT buy things for the child/teen, take them places, etc. In fact, do not even acknowledge that they exist if you are around them.
AND….if there are bio children/teens LOVE on them! As much as you can. Give them your time, attention, take them out for lunch or an adventure. Just love on them.
Please share this post. Someone needs it today!
This is Simply My Opinion by Kathe!
Thanks for your opinion, I second everything you said! We were once the family you described, not exactly but close enough that I could closely relate to everything you said. Thanks for sharing this, I will be posting it on my blog FB page.
Thank you Sandra. I appreciate your share. It makes my heart break to know that there is another family who lived through this. It’s got to stop! Hugs. Kathe
This is so eye opening and sad. More people need to hear about this. What are your recommendations for situations like this. The reason I am asking is because a friend just got custody of her great niece. The niece is 13 and the aunt is 67. The niece comes from a very bad environment. The aunt really felt called to go and rescue her, especially because the niece asked. She is a sweet girl, but is not always showing respect for the aunt. She goes to church and is nice around us, but I still am leary of her hanging around my daughter. I’m just trying to figure out how to help my friend. I am guilty of saying some of those things. Eek! These situations also remind me of step parenting. Thanks for your great posts. Keep it up!
Sharen thank you for writing. Please be watchful for your friend. Allow her the opportunity of listening. Ask deeper questions, not just how are things going. Most of us are just going to answer, “fine” because (1) we are so tired and we don’t have the energy to talk or (2) we don’t think we will be believed or (3) we question our own sanity thinking we are making too much of small things that are wrong. If you see the girl is not respecting your friend that is a huge sign. Believe me I just had a conversation about respect with my adopted son who is 20. He still doesn’t get it and it’s causing us great hardship. If this girl is disrespectful to the person who “rescued” her instead of grateful there are problems. Please support your friend and be very watchful. Counsel your friend to keep records of conversations and incidents. They will be invaluable should things escalate. I will keep her in my prayers. Kathe
This is so true!!! I’m thankful that it didn’t take my husband long to figure out that he was being manipulated. I know many families just like this….. I’m sharing
I’m so thankful for your situation Patti. Thank you for sharing. Kathe
This is disgusting. Your opinions are terrifying for adopted people all around the world and you clearly don’t understand it for a minute. You sit here and paint adopted people as these evil little children trying to manipulate the situation and hurt their “saviors” with every intention of their being. You need help. So do those who agree with you.
When you buy children remember something, they didn’t ask to be there. You cannot expect them to go along with the lies in adoption. They didn’t sign those papers of consent. They are traumatized. They are in a state of shock. They are living with PTSD. They are the victims, not you. You dont treat rape victims like this, you don’t treat VETS like this, you don’t treat any other survivors of trauma like this… what the hell is wrong with you people.
Thank you for your opinion. Perhaps you don’t know the full story. We adopted teenagers. Each of them knew full well what they were doing. In Ukraine they were required to write out a request to be adopted and to go in front of a judge in court and ask to be adopted. No one forced or coerced them into it. They all asked us to adopt them. We did not adopt them for us. We already had six biological children. We simply wanted to make a difference to others. What we were not told was that two of the three were psychopaths. After we brought them home they told us they had scammed us so we would pay for them to come to America. They lied to us. They hurt our family.
Perhaps since you are so good hearted I can give them your address and they can go live with you. I’m sure you would do a much better job than we did.
Again, thank you for your opinion but you do not have a clue to anything.