A
angelphoenix11
Guest
To all parents and children who have had to experiance or are experiancing the heart wrenching choice of placing a child in either a psychiatric hospital or a therapeutic foster care situation. I would like to build a support connection with you. There are all kinds of support groups for foster parents or situations where the child is "taken" from a home because of abuse or neglect. But where is the support for those who do it voluntarily and sacrafice for the future of their child? The system is "there" to protect the child from harm and therefore do their own process keeping the parent at a distance. I have made the decision to place my son in TFC because I was concerned and responsible for making sure that he is able to function in society with it's rules and it is apparent that I am not able to "make" him understand that, so I seeked out help. (Not for a lack of trying) He is a very caring and sweet boy with wonderful characteristics, but when he gets in a mood or has a meltdown there is no line he won't cross to get to his goal. He is VERY creative and intelligent but it both helps him occupy himself as well as equipes him with the ability to force people to have to back down (wether intentional or not). He has been diagnosed with Asperger's, Oppisitional defiance disorder, mood disorder and ADHD with all seem to take turns being the dominant issue. (And his education is suffering) It makes it very difficult dealing with the ODD when his AS prevents change. Anyway, I would like to connect with BOTH parents who have had this difficult choice and their experiances, as well as the CHILDREN who have or are going through the placement to hear how it has affected them, what has worked, and what actually made things worse. Please respond there is nothing I can find similar to my situation to build on and help us. I have all kinds of "professionals" helping but it is the reality of those who go through it that matters to me.