CHLSS

  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Adoption
    • DI Uber 2.1Infant Adoption
    • A father and son created through foster care adoption embrace.Foster Care Adoption
    • Young girl from China smiles at the camera.International Adoption
    • Close
  • Foster Care
    • Three siblings in foster care smile in the part with their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders.Foster Care
    • An African American single woman wraps her arms around two brothers she adopted from foster care.Foster Care Adoption
    • Close
  • Pregnancy Services
    • Birth parents and adoptive parents smile with son.Open Adoption
    • parenting2Parenting
    • A father holds a football for his infant child.Birth Fathers
    • Happy woman and man waiting to adopt a child.Waiting Family Profiles
    • Close
  • Post Adoption
    • Domestic Post Adoption ServicesDomestic Post Adoption
    • International Post Adoption ServicesInternational Post Adoption
    • Post Adoption ResourcesPost Adoption Resources
    • A teen boy who was adopted from Korea as an infant smiles against a stone wall.Post Placement Reports
    • Close
  • Education & Events
    • An Ethiopian adoptee and her sister smile and hug.Education & Events Calendar
    • A woman attends a webinar.Recorded Webinars
    • Close
  • About Us
    • Mission & History
    • Leadership
    • Employment
    • Volunteer
    • Close
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Login
Home / Blog / Adoptive Family Stories / Thankful for a Nightmare

Thankful for a Nightmare

March 28, 2017 by Sonya Judkins

An Asian adoptte falls back asleep after a nightmare in her bed covered in white bedding.“My daughter is always getting out of bed and coming in my room.”  Before adoption, these comments brought a much different response in my heart and out of my mouth.  Life changes when you bring home a baby who has transitioned too many times and learned how to survive on their own all before their first birthday.  I spent so many nights that first year beside her bed.  Each time she would try to rock herself to sleep, I would wrap my arm around her to show her that the rocking was now my job.

I have sought to create a space that is safe.  A family where we love and support each other.  I often miss the mark.  There is often chaos that gets in the way of that goal.  But overall we have tried.  Still my baby girl has never, ever gotten out of her bed.  Through nightmares and injuries, she carries on fighting the nighttime battle all alone.  All the while, her mama and daddy sleep completely unaware.

That is until tonight.

Tonight she came to me for comfort from a nightmare that left her in tears.  Tonight I was able to pray over her, and love on her, and read a silly story, and rock her, and get her back to bed with a smile and giggles instead of tears.

Tonight is huge. And that is why I am thankful for a nightmare.

About the Author: Sonya Judkins is an adoptive mother and frequently posts about faith, motherhood and adoption on her blog “Trading Tea for Elephants.” You can view this original post here.

FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPrintFriendly

Filed Under: Adoptive Family Stories, International Adoption, News, Parenting

Meet Waiting Children

View Children

Help a Child Thrive

Contribute Today

Main Office

1605 Eustis Street
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651.646.7771
800.952.9302
[email protected]

Maryland Office

15800 Crabbs Branch Way Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20855
301.562.6500
[email protected]

Virginia Office

4101 Chain Bridge Road Suite 301
Fairfax, VA 22030
703.214.5533
[email protected]

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Charities Review Council
Standards_Seal_BLACK_WEB
Charities Review Council Seal 2022
coa-logo
NCFA Member Seal_
IAAME
Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Approval
Human Rights Campaign seal

© 2023 Children's Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. All Rights Reserved.

Terms & Conditions Privacy policy Developed by Vivid Image Staff Login