I’ve chronicled some of the issues we’ve faced in dealing with my daughter’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and the extreme insomnia she has because of it.

Who knew the solution could be as simple as it turned out to be: Let her sleep with her door open! Initially, due to some of the inappropriate “acting... more

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17; NASB).

My daughter had a spectacular day yesterday – simply stellar! She made appropriate toileting choices, she spoke considerately to others, and was warmly and genuinely praised for her efforts by her Dad and I, as well as both of her brothers.

So, why, right before bedtime,... more

Julia recently posed a dilemma she is facing with her daughter in this article. It’s a difficult issue, since as Christian parents our duty is to raise our children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We began by addressing the role of belief and repentance, in Part One of our series. In Part... more

Julia recently posed a dilemma she is facing with her daughter in this article. It’s a difficult issue, since as Christian parents our duty is to raise our children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We began by addressing the role of belief and repentance, in Part One of our series.

Next, let's look at the issues of confession and baptism:

One... more

Julia recently posed a dilemma she is facing with her daughter in this article. It’s a difficult issue, since as Christian parents our duty is to raise our children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

When our children reach an age in which they are able to be held accountable for their actions, they often begin to question whether or not to choose a relationship with God. If they seek our assistance in understanding the enormity of this commitment,... more

The last few days have been a whirlwind, harkening me back to those first few days - almost. Yesterday, my husband preached for a neighboring congregation. My daughter, who had visited this congregation before and loved it, was having a difficult day to say the least. She had a meltdown during services. She kicked, pulled, bolted for the front door and was verbally insulting. I managed to get her to the cry room, and had to hold her until she could calm down. She was able to turn it around, and we rewarded the behavior.

My daughter has struggled with insomnia... more

For people who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), experiencing another incident like the death of a loved one or pet, a natural disaster or some other ancillary event, can trigger and exacerbate the condition.

Remember the re-experiencing or reliving the incident are hallmarks of PTSD. After a recent earthquake, my daughter talked about it for days afterward, and would rock her bed to simulate it. For people with PTSD, this type of recreating of events is commonplace.

If possible, try to have a more relaxed schedule in the days following the precipitating event. The stress of trying to hurry about can make a difficult time even harder. Use the time to allow your... more

So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. (1 Samuel 16:23)

By titling this post, Music as Therapy, I don’t mean to suggest a replacement for traditional therapy if it is warranted. Rather, it is my aim to address the therapeutic role music can play in mental wellness.

I’ve shared often how I grew up with undiagnosed ADD and depression. I was often teased, beaten up, and... more

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:15).

Okay, this verse is taken out of context, but it so aptly summarized what’s been going on with my daughter of late. We just came back from her therapy appointment, and I’m just so pleased with the progress I see. I’m using this post as a snapshot – a reflection of a brief moment in time – knowing that the task before her requires so much that nothing is static as of yet, but is rather dynamic, that is, ever changing..

We... more

Without disclosing confidential aspects of our daughter’s history, it has become increasingly clear that her frequent tantrums and rages are more than simply a by-product of her transition to post-adoptive life.

Making such a huge life changes such as adoption and moving surely have challenges and there are definite issues that can be attributed it. However, how do you know when it’s something more?

Become educated: You never want to diagnose any behavioral or mental health issue on your own. However, do learn as much as you can about typical and atypical behavior, so that should you suspect a deeper issue than just the transitional, you can alert your... more