Connecting with Kids Through Stories

Overall, I found this book to be an interesting and stimulating read. The early chapters refreshed my knowledge and understanding of attachment difficulties, particularly as they relate to adopted children. I found the Family Attachment Narrative Therapy approach and the case examples given fascinating and was pleased that parents were of key importance in developing their own narratives… I would recommend this book both to professionals working with adoptive families, to parents of adopted children and to those with an interest in this area or in therapeutic story telling. – DebateThis book is a welcome addition to the resources available to not only adoptive parents but also social workers in practice with children and young people with attachment issues. – RostrumThis book is a discussion and guide on the use of narrative to help children and parents work through difficult behaviour and attachment issues. But it is also much more… This book’s emphasis on helping parents do the therapeutic work of building the family as a safe healing space is spot on. – Children & Young People NowThis book provides a very valuable, innovative resource for adoptive families supporting children with complex, traumatic early life histories. The focus is on empowering adoptive families to support their children with complex, traumatic early life stories. The focus is on empowering adoptive families to support their children, by giving them a thorough understanding of how early life history will affect each child’s internal working model… I found this a very exciting, meaningful book. It provides clarity and recognition of the challenges and issues for adopted children with complex, traumatic early life histories. – Lapidus JournalStories are the currency of life. “Connecting with Kids Through Stories: Using Narratives to Facilitate Attachement in Adopted Children” discusses the importance of stories in forming bonds with adopted children, to children who may not have had the easiest life coming into a caring parent’s care…. A strong pick for parenting collections, especially those with a focus on adoption. – The Midwest Book ReviewThis is a clear, practical, relevant and optimistic book that gives adoptive parents a deeper insight into the lives of their children, and an effective intervention made all the more attractive because it is based on the universally familiar and compelling business of telling stories about life’s most significant emotional experiences. – David Howe, Professor Emeritus, School of Social Work and Psychology, University of East Anglia, UKThis is a wonderful book that goes to the heart of the matter in healing traumatized adoptees. If adopted kids are to grow and thrive in their adoptive family, the how and why of the arrival into the forever home must be told. Using the context of storytelling to tell the often painful tale is brilliant - even challenging and older children will accept a story. I particularly like the abundant examples of stories, the words of encouragement to parents to get started, the use of narratives to cover all aspects of the aftermath of trauma, the overview of how trauma leaves a child afflicted and the overriding message that underneath all the chaotic behavior is a child desperately trying to tell us the meaning of his or her experiences. Once attune to this meaning, each member of the family can connect. Thus, the meaning of being a part of a healthy family emerges for the adoptee, brothers, sisters and parents. – Arleta James, therapist, Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio, USA

Denise B. Lacher is a psychologist who specializes in treating children who have experienced maltreatment in early life.

Todd Nichols is Executive Director and co-recipient of the 2008 Pro Humanitate Award issued by the Center for Child Welfare Policy and sole recipient of the 2007 New Horizons Award issued by the Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children.

Melissa Nichols is a marriage and family therapist who specializes in treating children who have experienced abandonment, neglect, and abuse early in life.

Joanne C. May is a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist and founder of the Family Attachment and Counseling Center. She has over 50 years’ experience working with families, children and adolescents.

The authors are all based at the Family Attachment and Counseling Center, Minnesota, USA.