The two most common challenges that families experience with post institutionalized children relate to sleep and food. I knew this prior to adopting my darling daughter. But I didn't realize sleep or the lack of sleep would be an issue for both of us.

Natasha came home with PTSD which severely interfered with her ability to sleep. I had always read that sleeping pills were addictive or ineffective for adults. So I didn't think sleeping aids were even an option for a 3.5 year old child.

If Natasha didn't sleep, then I didn't sleep. And lack of sleep lowered my immune system. I was constantly sick during Natasha's first 4 months home. I had pneumonia, strep throat, ear infections, sinus infections and ordinary colds.

Both Natasha and I were short on our sleep at the same time... Some days this created a bad situation. We were both crabby and our memories were shot. Natasha would be even more clumsy.

Once she tripped and fell on a metal door sill. The metal edge cut open a gash on the back of her head. Blood was everywhere. I freaked. She freaked.

I quickly got Natasha to the emergency room. The emergency room staff decided we weren't an urgent case. So we hung around for a couple of hours. But the wait became too long for me.

Didn't these morons understand that I was missing my nap? :( So I did what any good mother will do. I let Natasha do whatever she wanted to do. She drove the staff crazy.

Natasha got behind their desks and tried to answer phone calls. If there was a door or curtain she tried opening it. And I just followed in her wake.

Me to the staff: I am sorry.
Me to Natasha: Stay out of her purse/desk/chair
Me to the staff: Can someone see her. She is just going to get worse. She needs a nap.

Natasha is really amazing. Ten minutes later she was being seen by a doctor. She got one staple for her head wound.

I should have named this blog "How Not To Cope with Sleep Issues". :):) I should have asked Natasha's doctor for help. I should have taken better care of myself.

I did do one thing right. I kept a sleep journal on Natasha. I started with a journal like this. The journal helped me spot patterns and more clearly see what wasn't working.


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