Adoption Under One Roof

When the bucket list craze started after the movie, “The Bucket List,” was released, I ignored it. I didn’t want to make up a list of things to do before I die because it would: a. remind me of my mortality (ow) b. be depressing if I didn’t get to do any of the things on the list. Then suddenly when 2012 came rolling in, out of the blue I found myself posting the fledgling beginnings of my bucket list on facebook.

One of the consequences of parenting is the temporary loss of self. We get so wrapped up in our children’s lives and their dreams, that ours may be put aside…forever. Well parents, let me recommend that you sit down and start a bucket list. Then maybe, just maybe, one day you will actually do some of the things on your list, before you have to be pushed around in a wheel chair, dragging along an oxygen tank.

Brooklyn … … its meaning is "water; small stream" - Baby Center

The baby name Brooklyn is of Old English and Old German origin and is a variation of the baby name Brooke. The baby name is fairly new to the popularity chart, making its debut in 1990 at #912. The baby name skyrocketed up the chart, breaking into the Top 200 in 1998 and then the Top 100 in 2005, where it has stayed ever since. In 2010, the baby name ranked #34. See Popular Baby Names.

In my little part of the world, we haven’t seen the sun in almost a week. This is not a good thing. I got out my therapy lamp to start doing a little “light therapy” for my all too familiar winter blues. It shines on me now as I write this blog – maybe it will “show me the light!”

I can understand animals hibernating for the winter – it makes perfect sense. Why hang around in this weather? Best to eat well and then hunker down for a nice long, say three month nap. Wishful thinking will get me nowhere. But some things do help with this ailment known as SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder).

Firstly, spend more time playing with your kids. Sure, that is the exact opposite of what you want to do, but surprisingly it is a cheer up, since you are probably already feeling guilty for sitting around looking long faced and depressed. Get out some of the games that have been collecting dust in a cupboard.

A reader wants to know what Asperger’s Syndrome is. In a nutshell, Asperger’s Syndrome is high-functioning autism. Here is a definition from Webmd.com:

Asperger's syndrome (or disorder) is a developmental disorder in which people have severe difficulties understanding how to interact socially. People with Asperger's syndrome may not recognize verbal and nonverbal cues or understand normal social rules, such as taking turns talking or recognizing personal space. ~ Webmd.com

You can read a more detailed profile of Asperger’s Syndrome here.

I, personally, know four children with Asperger’s Syndrome as well as one adult, so I’ll provide some specific examples.

Dear Adoption Maharishi,

My five-year-old child, who we adopted at birth, is a handful. He has a lot of energy and is also very stubborn, so finding a discipline that works for him is a challenge (to say the least!). The worst part is that most of my friends have well-behaved little girls, and they give me these judgmental looks while their daughters are sitting down being perfect angels while my son keeps getting up and running around.

I have read a bunch of parenting books and have tried everything – redirection, timeouts, grounding him, spanking him, yelling at him, etc. NOTHING WORKS! I feel like the worst mother in the world. I am consistent with the rules, but nothing changes his behavior. Any advice?

~ Worst Mom in the World