The Connected Child

Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family

By: Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, Wendy Lyons Sunshine

Narrated by: Anna Crowe

"An extremely useful parenting handbook...truly outstanding...strongly recommended." (Library Journal, starred review)

"A tremendous resource for parents and professionals alike." (Thomas Atwood, president and CEO, National Council for Adoption)

The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family - and addressing their special needs - requires care, consideration, and compassion.

Written by two research psychologists specializing in adoption and attachment, The Connected Child will help you:

• Build bonds of affection and trust with your adopted child
• Effectively deal with any learning or behavioral disorders
• Discipline your child with love without making him or her feel threatened

"A must-read not only for adoptive parents, but for all families striving to correct and connect with their children." (Carol S. Kranowitz, author of The Out-of-Sync Child)

"Drs. Purvis and Cross have thrown a life preserver not only to those just entering uncharted waters, but also to those struggling to stay afloat." (Kathleen E. Morris, editor of S. I. Focus magazine)

"Truly an exceptional, innovative work...compassionate, accessible, and founded on a breadth of scientific knowledge and clinical expertise." (Susan Livingston Smith, program director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute)

"The Connected Child is the literary equivalent of an airline oxygen mask and instructions: place the mask over your own face first, then over the nose of your child. This book first assists the parent, saying, in effect, 'Calm down, you're not the first mom or dad in the world to face this hurdle, breathe deeply, then follow these simple steps.' The sense of not facing these issues alone - the relief that your child's behavior is not off the charts - is hugely comforting. Other children have behaved this way; other parents have responded thusly; welcome to the community of therapeutic and joyful adoptive families." (Melissa Fay Greene, author of There Is No Me Without You: One Woman's Odyssey to Rescue Africa's Children)

©2019 McGraw-Hill Education (P)2007 McGraw Hill-Ascent Audio

Be healed and whole

Great info for all families and relationships. Learn to truly love and be loved in family style relationships.

Book Review: The Connected Child by Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine

The Connected Child is an essential resource for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or adoption. Written by Dr. Karyn Purvis, Dr. David Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine, this book provides a compassionate and research-backed approach to building trust and attachment with children who come from hard places.

One of the book's strengths is its emphasis on understanding a child's past experiences and how those experiences shape behavior. The authors use real-life examples and practical strategies to help caregivers create a safe, structured, and nurturing environment. The book is based on the principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), which focuses on connecting with children through empathy, meeting their sensory needs, and guiding them with gentle discipline.

What makes The Connected Child particularly valuable is its accessibility. The authors balance science with practical advice, making complex psychological concepts easy to understand and apply. Whether a parent is adopting a child, fostering, or helping a child heal from trauma, this book offers clear steps to foster trust, regulate emotions, and create meaningful bonds.

However, some readers may find that the book is most applicable to younger children, and while the strategies can be adapted for older kids and teens, additional resources may be needed. Also, caregivers looking for a more structured discipline approach may need to combine the book's techniques with other parenting methods.

Overall, The Connected Child is a compassionate and insightful guide that has transformed the way many caregivers approach parenting children with trauma. It encourages patience, connection, and healing, making it a must-read for anyone in the world of adoption, foster care, or trauma-informed parenting.

Very helpful

I appreciate Karen sharing so many insights and opportunities to try with each child that we love! Well, there is no blanket to treat every single person, many of the things shared in this book are helpful, insightful, and worth implementing, at least for a while!

Great book for healing

Great not only for what to expect when adopting but to heal our own wounds and habits before the child comes home - healthier living and habits for all of us!

The Connected child

Excellent information! I found a lot of useful ideas in this book.It is too bad there are no pdf's to download.,I also purchased the paperback.Narration was well done.