Adopters Anonymous

AA: Sleep? Nah...it's overrated!

How well do your children sleep? And how well do you sleep? If you have adopted children, I doubt very much that they got the required 10-12 hours children need to prepare them for the day ahead. And if the children aren't asleep, then usually neither are we. In this episode of Adopters Anonymous, Carl and Martin share experiences of helping their children to get the sleep they need. It's complex routine that involves musical beds, painful backs, cricks in necks, bruises on arms, medication and frustration. A 2017 UK study of children adopted from care found 50–60% of adoptive parents reported sleep problems, compared to about 20–25% in the general population. So what does that look like, or rather what does that feel like? Plus, why is sleep so challenging in adopted children? Here's a clue: deep seated trauma. Carl and Martin unpack how neglect, abuse and disruption can leave children fearful of what should be the loveliest time of the day: bed time. Follow us on Facebook by searching for Adopters Anonymous, or drop us an email: adopters.anonymous@gmail.com We'd love to hear from you.