Sunday, October 7, 2007

Maybe This Time

The weekend didn’t totally suck. Normally the Angels getting spanked in the playoffs would set the tone for the rest of my week.

I hope my oldest daughter has set a different tone.

About four months ago my daughter
Sarah had a major set back in her quest to come home from Red Rock Canyon School. This weekend we got a very encouraging report from the staff at Red Rock. Sarah has rebounded to the place she was before the setback, and is probably in a better state of mind than she was before.

After the altercation, Sherri and I stopped our weekly therapy phone calls. We also stopped the two personal phone calls that we made every week. We told her that the ball was in her court. She needed to figure out when she wanted get out of there and do what it takes to come home, until the staff tells us there is a significant change there will be no more phone calls. We do keep in touch by e-mail, but do not discuss therapy issues.

It took a few weeks, but Sarah finally reengaged in the Red Rock program. It looks like she may have been feeling too much pressure from mom and dad. Eliminating the phone calls has apparently eliminated that pressure. I’m not sure when we will start talking again, but it sounds like it is going to be sooner than later.

After the last post I made about Sarah I didn’t care if I talked to her again. It has been really hard to bond to this girl, but every time I get good news about her I can’t help but hope for the best. I still want things to work out for us as a family, but I guess if we can just get her through her teen years free of drugs and not pregnant, that would be an accomplishment all in its own. And that just might have to do.

6 comments:

Guinevere said...

Hang in there! This has been quite a rough road for you. Keep hoping! I think things will finish good, but it might take awhile. I love hearing your updates...esp. when there's some good news! :o)

Faff said...

All I can say is hang in there man and don't give up, she could still suprise you. I worked in a place like this doing vocational training with troubled kids and they can really pick themselves up at the most unexpected times. I won't bore you with examples cos every kid's different there is still hope.

White Hot Magik said...

If I told you this once already, I am sorry. My parents fostered a few kids when I was growing up. Not many of their outcomes was what most of us would call successful. My mom was worried it had been too much on the family. I don't think so. Personally the only regrets I have is that we couldn't adopt them all, even if it didn't seem to make a difference I hope it did. I hope you will too.

Anonymous said...

I still commend you and Sherri for taking on such a monumental task of adopting three sibs and one of them having so many emotional issues. When I look at my girls and think of just how precious they are, I'm boggled at why some "parents" don't feel remorse and have no problem messing their kids up.

Tammie Jean said...

Good for you for not giving up hope. It sounds like it's been a long, tough road. I hope things continue to improve...

Patty O said...

My father used to work in a place like that, and they did a lot of good stuff for the kids there. Hope all goes well!