Theraplay

To have a picture of these two little boys, close in proximity to one another, both smiling, is a wonderful moment in this house.
We read about attatchment of parent to adopted child, and adopted child to parent.  Either, I have not looked hard enough or their is no books read on sibling attatchment to a toddler or older child adopted sibling.
Attatchment cannot be forced, it cannot be faked by siblings.  It has to be real.  Most of the attatchemnt issues that arise between these two boys, is
A) a pesky big brother
B) a non-verbal big brother, who LOVES his little brother, but who does know how to engage a toddler to play.
C) a toddler, who can be well, very twoish, and screechy.

so what have we been "playing" to help foster attatchement
1) face painting with a dry brush
2)"popcorn" people hold corners of a blanket, put balls on the blanket, and shake the blanket to make the balls pop.
3) blanket race. take a corner of the blanket, puff it in the air. one person lets go of their corner and crawls to the other side.
4) brother/sister tortilla/sandwich.  use pillows or blankets and make a person sandwich..do not forget the toppings :)
5) serving pretend food ( we have used the melissa and doug birthday cupcake set) one child asks what kind of cupcake the other would like, kind of icing, color of candle etc.  It helps promote listening and taking turns.

Of course, with a two year old our games have to be at his level.  However, as a family we have had lots of fun playing them.  I love having my face painted...it is like a mini facial.


I have no doubt that these two will grow closer as Noah grows older.  Micah had trouble enaging Anneke in any sort of play when she was a toddler as well.  Now the two of them play great together.

As we continue to build a brotherly bond between these brothers, I am thankful to have the help we need to help them grow in thier relationship