We have recently adopted two young children and they are displaying some real issues particularly whilst in bed.
The little boy only sleeps for an hour or so then he wakes up and shouts at the top of his voice, waking the whole house up. It is getting to the point now where it's affecting my life a lot as we aren't getting enough sleep. My question is has anyone else experienced this and are there any particular things that we perhaps should be doing?
will the adoption agency give any support?
They are but I thought that it would be good to hear from others
ah, that's something. I don't have any experience myself of adopted children, hopefully others may on here.
Hi djw,
I have friends who adopted their two children as babies, and faced the same issue as you did with sleeping initially. They had a boy and a girl who were only 11 months apart. They did seek advice from their Health Visitor, and the social worker who was their link with the adoption agency, but for them they discovered the main factors which helped were:
Reassurance and lots of it - hugs, telling them that they were loved by mummy and daddy.
Routine - they did the bath, book, feed, sleep. Sometimes they would lay down by the cot and lay there very still until the little one had fallen asleep. This is obviously a personal choice, but for them it gave their children security and comfort.
Blanket - with their "smell" on which would be familiar to cuddle.
Bedroom - making it cosy and simple with their favourite teddy or toy near them.
Both their children did settle, it took them a lot of love, patience and sleepless nights, but they got there, and they have an amazing 15 and 14 year old now.
Hope this has been of some use ! Congratulations on adopting, that's a special thing to do. Kind regards, Fegans Parent Support Volunteer.