It can be very hard to get emotionally damaged children to open up and get their feelings and emotions out. When questioned about their feelings they tend to stonewall, and spit out short one word answers, usually “no,” and “fine,” and if you are lucky you will get the favored “I don’t know” with a blank stare, response.

Emotionally damaged children do not trust others. They see opening up as unsafe, which is why they are so good at clamming up. As parents we know that those feelings, emotions, and pain must come out, and it can be extremely frustrating as well... more

Many adoptive parents often become afraid that their child doesn’t like them, or desire a close relationship with them. They see the child shy away from touch, eye, and body contact. Generally, it is not that the child does not wish to get close, getting close to a new person is simply very scary for a child. Especially a child who has been hurt by a parent in the past. It is important to remember that it is not the child’s job to assure their parents that they love them. It is the parent’s job to assure the child that the child is loved. Very rarely will a child put their self out there first and seek contact, for fear of the risk of rejection. It is the parent who will have to put... more