Product Description

Most adopted children and their families will, sooner or later, encounter the challenges of dealing with unresolved attachment issues or early traumatic experiences. "New Families, Old Scripts" is an accessible introduction to understanding these challenges and helping children and their families to develop a shared language and understanding of one another. Steeped in the experience of the authors, the book offers a wealth of practical guidance and intervention in a no-nonsense style that will be readily understandable to both families and the professionals who work with them. Case examples bring the issues to life, while sample letters addressed to the parent offer sensitive, jargon-free advice on the issues they are likely to encounter - whether it be dealing with anger and aggression, understanding sibling issues or how to react to sexualised behaviour. The authors also explain some of the theoretical background to trauma to encourage a better understanding of the relationship between trauma, attachment and development. The accessible combination of theoretical approaches and practical advice makes "New Families, Old Scripts" an ideal resource for social workers and adoptive or foster parents. Family Futures Consortium provides services for parents and professionals working with adopted and fostered children, including training and consultation for statutory and voluntary agencies nationwide. In their therapeutic work with families, they have evolved a unique intensive, multi-disciplinary approach to supporting children with attachment and trauma-related difficulties.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #147610 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 253 pages

About the Author
Caroline Archer is an adoptive parent, consultant and trainer in adoption support, parent mentor and a member of the Family Futures team. She has authored two best-selling adoption-related books, First Steps in Parenting the Child who Hurts and Next Steps in Parenting the Child Who Hurts, both of which are published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Christine Gordon is an adoptive parent with many years' experience, and co-founder and Co-director of Family Futures Consortium, London

Customer Reviews

Very useful practical advice but the characters grated on me...
I found this to be a very practical and digestible book to 'dip' in and out of and was pitched at probably the right level for adoptive families.

It covers all the areas that are of interest to adoptive families (and practitioners working with adoptive families) and made good psychological sense out of some seemingly baffling behaviours. I like the repetitive theme that all behaviour is a communication.

I have to say though, that I hated the characters 'Pannichio' and 'Jemima Crackit' (as the child and the mother figure in the 'dance of attachment'). I found them patronising and irritating but that could, of course, just be me - I'd be interested to see what others think. Don't let this stop you purchasing this though as it's so helpful to dip in and out of and I thought the 'dictionary' style of the book was perfect.