Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children

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Summary: A Lovely Story, A Terrific Modality, How Many Have Resources
Review: Although I was immensely moved by this book, and found the ideas presented thoughtful and compelling, there is a bit of Cinderella-esque fantasy involved. Most certainly Dr. Hughes illustrates the picture and the drama of the unattached child in a clear and concise manner, I would caution parents and would be parents, however, that within the confines of the foster care system, these therapeutic families and incredibly skilled therapists are not usually the norm.It would be my hope that one day every child be afforded the resources available to the fictional Katie Harrison. In the meantime, it does give foster and adoptive parents a roadmap to follow. And although there are cautionary statements throughout the book to indicate that these methods are not always successful, the hope is something to celebrate.Lastly, I hope people recognize that this child is not quite seven when she reaches her therapeutic foster placement and that with each passing year, the task in teaching children how to attach becomes greater. I highly recommend this book as a supplement to a more extensive library on attachment issues.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ FOR ALL PROSPECTIVE AND EXISTING ADOPTIVE/FOSTER
Review: As an adoptive parent, I found this book really helpful in giving an insight into the mind of a child with attachment issues. Routine discipline approaches and measures are inappropriate for these children and it is very helpful see the alternative appraoch used in the narrative of this book. I have found that adopting the "ATTITUDE" has really helped. It has made feel better as a parent and it makes it in some ways easier to cope with issues with your child as it gives you an insight into why they do some of the things they do. As the information is conveyed in the format of a novel, it is an easy read rather than some of the heavyweight books on "attachment theory".I would recommend it as a must read for all prospective adoptive or foster parents.

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Summary: A must-read for foster parents!
Review: Dan Hughes wrote this book with me in mind. I read this book while fostering a 9 yr old girl who had attachment disorder that, without proper treatment, would have destroyed her ability to function in a normal life. There were ideas and strategies in this book that worked (no matter how strange they sound). Dan Hughes knows what he is talking about. As a professional foster parent, I appreciate the straightforward language used in this book. I would recommend this to any person dealing with an attachment disorder child. It brings a much needed awarness to this overwhelming issue in surrogate parenting.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ FOR ALL PROSPECTIVE AND EXISTING ADOPTIVE/FOSTER
Review: Having been raising children with attatchment issues for more than 17 years, I was totally thrilled to find this book. It gave true insight to what one deals with when they choose to raise a child with attachment disorder an describes the child's perspective as well. I have bought 2 copies for myself, so I can loan one out (which I have several times) and I have helped others to order the book so they could learn and help heal these children as well. THANK YOU Dr. Hughes for your good work and commitment to these children with such hurting souls.

Rating:
Summary: Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply T
Review: Having been raising children with attatchment issues for more than 17 years, I was totally thrilled to find this book. It gave true insight to what one deals with when they choose to raise a child with attachment disorder an describes the child's perspective as well. I have bought 2 copies for myself, so I can loan one out (which I have several times) and I have helped others to order the book so they could learn and help heal these children as well. THANK YOU Dr. Hughes for your good work and commitment to these children with such hurting souls.

Rating:
Summary: Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply T
Review: This book focuses on the journey of a child from the birth home through adoption. Hughes explores the reactions of the child, child welfare system, foster parents/foster siblings and eventually the adoption decision. It is one of the best books that takes a hard look at what a childs journey can be and interfaces all of the agencies and therapists that children encounter through placement. It is a very real look at a child that is hurt and damaged because "professionals" do not understand or support children and the people that care for them through that same journey. Hughes does a very good job at providing guidance and options for children within the system.

Rating:
Summary: Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply T
Review: This book focuses on the journey of a child from the birth home through adoption. Hughes explores the reactions of the child, child welfare system, foster parents/foster siblings and eventually the adoption decision. It is one of the best books that takes a hard look at what a childs journey can be and interfaces all of the agencies and therapists that children encounter through placement. It is a very real look at a child that is hurt and damaged because "professionals" do not understand or support children and the people that care for them through that same journey. Hughes does a very good job at providing guidance and options for children within the system.

Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading for anyone contemplating adoption
Review: This book was so helpful to me as an adoptive parent that I have recommended it to several families with whom I have come into contact at the adoption agency where I work. We keep a copy in the agency library to lend to those people thinking of adopting special needs children. It spells out some of the trials foster and adoptive parents may find themselves up against with some concrete ideas to use to remedy negative situations.

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Summary: I devoured this book!
Review: This book was so interesting and readable, I read it from cover to cover in a day. I'm not a foster parent, I'm a teacher, but I have dealt with emotionally disturbed children in my classroom (in fact, I'm dealing with one this year). This book gave me so much insight into why these children act the way they do. Now I understand why they have such a need to be in control of everything, why they will do destructive things with seemingly no motive whatsoever (breaking their favorite toys, destroying their favorite books, etc.) Now I understand why things always get worse just as they seemed to be getting better. Most importantly, now I understand why these kids can't handle praise and rewards, and why those stupid behavior modification programs the administrators and counselors always suggest always seem to make the problem worse. Thank you Daniel A. Hughes!

Rating:
Summary: An answer to my prayers!
Review: This is a must have book for anyone dealing with attachment disorder. I have read it over and over and learned something substantial each time. After about 6 months of failed attempts to find a therapist trained to work with my four year old daughter and I, I finally bought this book and dove in. I have been doing therapy with my daughter for about two months as described in the book and now we have a budding new relationship. A reciprocal one. She is beginning to love and trust. This is the missing peice of the puzzle. It makes sense.