Child Development and Parenting
Children of parents involved in both child welfare and drug treatment often experience challenges that interrupt their normal development.
When parents are involved in both drug treatment and child welfare, the focus is largely on sobriety and basic skills for everyday living. Although some time may be spent in a parenting education program, the reality is that the emphasis in these programs is on generic parenting.
But the fact is that children whose parents struggle with addiction are more likely to face their own academic, social, and behavioral challenges. And when parents reunify with their children, they take on these challenges as well.
That’s why it is imperative to help parents think through a broad array of scenarios before reunification. Parents need to understand issues such as grief and loss, trauma, attachment, Attention Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities, and the impact of active addiction on children. They need to consider what their children need, what help they themselves can provide, what resources they will need to access, and how they can appropriately advocate for their children.
Grief and loss
When children are separated from a parent, they experience grief about their loss. And often express it behaviorally.
Attachment
Attachment is what allows people to be able to love, trust, and move through the world. Developing attachment is one of a baby’s most important tasks. But attachment is an issue for many children of substance abusers.
10 Questions Judges Should Ask
Lists 10 questions judges should ask about a young child’s development
Attention Deficit Disorder
Many children are diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, and put on medication to deal with the behavioral, social, and academic problems that result.
Learning Disabilities
Many children of substance abusers experience learning disabilities. These difficulties present challenges for parents and other caregivers.
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Some children are over or under-sensitive to “sensory input” - noise, lights, taste, etc. Children of substance abusers are thought to be more likely to experience this. Parents of these children need to be well-versed in these issues to give these children what they need.
Fatherhood: parenting is not just for moms
What issues do fathers as parents? How do these issues differ from mothers’?
Impact of active addiction on children
A chart showing how children of different ages are affected by active addiction.
