A Great Gift
Tom,
I would say that I needed the time to be ready for her to come home. Even through graduation, we cannot tell what the true intent of our child’s heart is. Were they just in compliance? Trying to make it through graduation? When they come home is when we will see what they really want. For me, I had to know that I was firm and clear in my values (and had practiced, practiced, practiced!!) so that when the first small tremors shook, I knew that I was standing on a solid foundation.
Our daughter pushed quite a bit when she first came home, then moved out on her own for 2 months and now is back in our home, and it’s finally (dare I say it?) pleasant to have her around. Just last night, she said “You know Mom, a kid is going to keep doing non-working behaviors until THEY decide there is a better reason not to.” I realized that what the program gave her were tools and time to mature, and what she is giving herself is a better choice. We are just there to provide guardrails and love.
Keeping the child in the program through graduation is a way to give ourselves time to grow and be strong. What a great gift for everyone!
With love,
Denise
Posted on April 17th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Uncategorized
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