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What about the Children?: What's the Strategy to Prevent These Tragedies?
A Remarkable Journey of Courage Overcoming Adversity
For many foster children, home is a nightmare - filled with abuse, both mental and physical. What about the Children? is an eye-opening look at one girl's experience - and the adopted mother who changed her life forever.
At seven years old, Breonna contends with a foster father who demanded his children clean, work a job, and service him sexually. Unaware how the rest of the world lives, little Breonna develops severe psychological trauma. Then Dianne Nelson steps into her life when Breonna is transferred to a shelter home.
Completely unaware of the true horror of this child's past, Dianne is shocked when it begins to emerge. She watches as Breonna - so used to deprivation- gorges herself on food, just in case it won't last. She constantly washes her hands because what her previous foster father did to her makes her feel "dirty." And that's just for starters.
What follows is a painful, poignant, but necessary journey as Dianne establishes a baseline of trust and love for a youngster who has never experienced either. Frank and outspoken, What about the Children? will shed new light on America's foster care system - what's wrong with it, how to fix it, and inspiration to get involved. Consider this book a must-read for anyone who grew up in the foster system, participated in it as a caregiver, or is considering becoming a foster parent.
Dianne Nelson has written several books, but this is the first one that she has published. She has a special passion for children and lives in Maryland, with her family.
For many foster children, home is a nightmare - filled with abuse, both mental and physical. What about the Children? is an eye-opening look at one girl's experience - and the adopted mother who changed her life forever.
At seven years old, Breonna contends with a foster father who demanded his children clean, work a job, and service him sexually. Unaware how the rest of the world lives, little Breonna develops severe psychological trauma. Then Dianne Nelson steps into her life when Breonna is transferred to a shelter home.
Completely unaware of the true horror of this child's past, Dianne is shocked when it begins to emerge. She watches as Breonna - so used to deprivation- gorges herself on food, just in case it won't last. She constantly washes her hands because what her previous foster father did to her makes her feel "dirty." And that's just for starters.
What follows is a painful, poignant, but necessary journey as Dianne establishes a baseline of trust and love for a youngster who has never experienced either. Frank and outspoken, What about the Children? will shed new light on America's foster care system - what's wrong with it, how to fix it, and inspiration to get involved. Consider this book a must-read for anyone who grew up in the foster system, participated in it as a caregiver, or is considering becoming a foster parent.
Dianne Nelson has written several books, but this is the first one that she has published. She has a special passion for children and lives in Maryland, with her family.
112 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2010
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October 8, 2011
This book was very short and it read like someone catching up with an old friend over cocktails. The book just elaborated on the summary on the back cover without adding much to it. It was mostly just an outline of events over a few years without much personalization. I read this book during the commercial breaks of a our hour tv show. I received this from the book swap and I would have been disappointed if I paid full price for this book.
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