196 – Parenting a Child with RAD: An Adoptive Mom’s Story of Heartbreak and Strength

“By the time he left, I felt like I was close to a mental breakdown. And I would tell my husband over and over, I can’t do this much longer. I just can’t. 

You know, I would go sit in the Walmart parking lot for three hours until he went to bed. And so I was avoiding my whole family. That affected my husband because here my husband is supposed to be my protector, but legally he can’t protect me against this thirteen-year-old who’s constantly verbally abusing me.”

Hi Neighbor,

Navigating the complexities of parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a journey few understand, yet many adoptive parents endure in silence. 

In this episode, I sit down with Karen, an adoptive mother of six and a survivor of the extraordinary challenges RAD can bring to a family.

Her vulnerability is a reminder that while this path is isolating, hope and healing are possible.

RAD is a daily battle that can reshape a family. In Karen, we see what it means to survive, to keep going, and to find strength through connection and support.

Anchors of Hope and Healing are on the way.

Your Neighbor, Tim

P.S. You’re not alone in this journey! I’m putting together something designed to offer real, practical help and emotional support for fellow adoptive parents like you. It’s called Anxiety Management Coaching for Adoptive Parents. I’d love to talk with you about it, about what you’re walking through, and what kind of support would be most meaningful right where you are. To book an Anxiety Management Call with me, just email me [e-mail]

If you haven’t joined our private community, consider this an invitation. It’s a safe space to share your struggles and triumphs with fellow adoptive parents who truly understand what you're going through.