A Few Adoption Notes

I haven't written much lately about things that are unique to the kiddos due to their time in the orphanage.

First, the kids had to be taught that it is okay to cry when they get hurt. This has taken a long time to instill in them. It has only been a few months during which they've cried right when they get hurt. For Zack, this happened in steps. He learned to cry in front of me. Then he learned to cry in front of women/girls. And, finally he learned that even if he gets hurt while with a man/boy, it is okay and perfectly manly to cry when he is hurt.

Whenever the kids would get hurt (truly hurt), I'd scoop them up and tell them, "It is good to cry if you are hurt". They would begin to wimper quietly as I'd cuddle them. I'd tell them again that if it still hurt they could cry because even grown ups cry when something hurts. Eventually, they would come to me already crying, and I'd say, "I am so glad you cry when you hurt."

I should also tell you that I tell them often to "shake it off". This is when I can clearly see that they are not hurt. For instance, when they decide to limp to prove that they need a bandaid for a speck of a mark on their leg!!! :) They usually say, "You know I'm faking"??? Then they giggle, and I tell them to remember to be as honest as they can so that people will believe their words. That is a lesson that is a little bit above them right now, but I figure it's never to soon to lay groundwork.

More later.