On Monday, December 1, our 12 Days of Christmas begins! We will be giving away a prize each day to one lucky winner. From toys and gift cards to clothes and memberships, there’s a prize for everyone to enjoy! Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to see what the prizes will be each day, and so you can register for a chance to win! 12 Christmas
And most importantly? Let the relationship build slowly. Don’t try to force bonding or attachment. “It takes time,” Nancy reminds. “And it’s okay if it doesn’t feel magical at first. Be honest about your own feelings, too, even the ones that feel messy or ‘wrong.’”
3. EXPECT BEHAVIORTO BE COMMUNICATION. Challenging behaviors aren’t just
likely—they’re normal. “Many children who have been in foster care haven’t experienced consistent adult care or structure,” Nancy explains. “They’ve learned that the world isn’t safe and that relying on others leads to pain. Acting out can be a protective measure. Each placement chips away at their trust.” She notes that children may start out with what’s often called a “honeymoon period”—appearing calm and compliant only to unravel as their guard comes down.Traditional parenting methods may not work and can even escalate things.Trauma- informed support is essential. Nancy also offers this heads-up: Not everyone in your circle will understand. Friends or extended family might distance themselves, especially if they don’t grasp why parenting looks different now. “Love, even when it’s not reciprocated, is a commitment,” she says. “You’re loving a child through their fear.That’s no small thing.” ROLLER COASTER LOVE STORY My daughter is now 24.Those 15 years since bringing her to a new home flew by. It has been the most terrifying and delightful roller coaster imaginable. It’s been harder than I imagined, and often painful. Still, I’d choose being her mother again and again, even in the most difficult moments. It’s also been filled with so much love, joy, learning, healing, and growth—for both of us. Foster care and adoption aren’t fairy tales.They’re love stories written in real time, messy, brave, and beautiful. Creating a true sense of home for a child who’s lived through instability means letting go of perfection, embracing repair, and remembering that safety is built, not assumed. If you’re on this journey, know this: You’re not alone. And you don’t have to get it all right to be exactly what your child needs.
@cincinnatifamilymag
@cincinnatifamily
cincinnatifamilymagazine.com
CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM | NOVEMBER 2025 15
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator