Ouch!

Adopting toddlers is a different experience than adopting a baby or a child who is older. Because of their developmental stage, they aren't always able to articulate their stress, so it manifests itself in aggression, both towards themselves and towards their caregivers. Scratching is the most common symptom of distress; most of the kids in our group exhibit this behavior. We thought that Ethan had bug bites or a rash, but found out when we got here that he is scratching himself constantly as a nervous habit. Lotion is very soothing to him.

I also realized on our second day together that he doesn't realize when he scratches or bites me, that it really hurts. The first time I said, "Ow!", his eyes got really big and he grabbed my arm and blew on it, patted it, and kissed it. He gnaws on everything, to the point that we wondered if he was getting more teeth.....but he has all of his teeth! It wasn't until today, when I put it together that the biting and gnawing must also be a nervous habit. These symptoms will diminish in the weeks after we get home, when he starts to feel safe and secure.

So much to learn, and we are on a fast learning curve! Thank God for providing us with such wonderful and wise families to help us while we are here.