I'm really enjoying blogging about this book I am reading because it is giving me something to blog about. I'm so anxious about Ruk and the nothingness that is going on with our adoption and I am thankful that I have this to write about.
These paragraphs come from chapter 5, "Settling In."
Sleep is something we all need and something that most of us can't get enough of during the initial adjustment. Yet, sleeping is one area in which virtually all children experience difficulties, in on way or another. It may be hard for us to believe that our children are not as exhausted as we are. In fact, they probably are, but that doesn't mean sleep will come easily to them. Falling asleep is one of the most difficult things for newly adopted kids to do for many reasons. Foremost is probably the fact that when they fall asleep they can no longer be vigilant about their safety and what's going on in the house.
'Vigilant' describes almost every newly adopted child. Even when they appear relaxed, these kids undoubtedly know where everyone int he household is, what they are doing, and how it affects them. Think back to a time when you were truly frightened. Perhaps you awoke one night to a strange sound in your house. Can you remember the feeling of uneasiness? Do you remember how each sound echoed through your brain, and every movement seemed exaggerated? Was your heart pounding and the hair on your arms standing on end? That is vigilance. A rush of adrenaline caused by fear activates this 'fight or flight' response, which prepares your body to protect itself by either fighting the danger or fleeing from it.
Your child is no doubt experiencing this sensation. You may notice that loud noises or sudden movement easily startle her. Or perhaps she gets anxious when there is a lot of noise and activity. One obvious sign of vigilance, though, will probably be a resistance to bedtime.
Your child knows that if he falls asleep, he no longer has any control over what happens to him. . . . Children know that being asleep makes them more vulnerable.
These paragraphs come from chapter 5, "Settling In."
Sleep is something we all need and something that most of us can't get enough of during the initial adjustment. Yet, sleeping is one area in which virtually all children experience difficulties, in on way or another. It may be hard for us to believe that our children are not as exhausted as we are. In fact, they probably are, but that doesn't mean sleep will come easily to them. Falling asleep is one of the most difficult things for newly adopted kids to do for many reasons. Foremost is probably the fact that when they fall asleep they can no longer be vigilant about their safety and what's going on in the house.
'Vigilant' describes almost every newly adopted child. Even when they appear relaxed, these kids undoubtedly know where everyone int he household is, what they are doing, and how it affects them. Think back to a time when you were truly frightened. Perhaps you awoke one night to a strange sound in your house. Can you remember the feeling of uneasiness? Do you remember how each sound echoed through your brain, and every movement seemed exaggerated? Was your heart pounding and the hair on your arms standing on end? That is vigilance. A rush of adrenaline caused by fear activates this 'fight or flight' response, which prepares your body to protect itself by either fighting the danger or fleeing from it.
Your child is no doubt experiencing this sensation. You may notice that loud noises or sudden movement easily startle her. Or perhaps she gets anxious when there is a lot of noise and activity. One obvious sign of vigilance, though, will probably be a resistance to bedtime.
Your child knows that if he falls asleep, he no longer has any control over what happens to him. . . . Children know that being asleep makes them more vulnerable.
Comments