How Many Mommies?

For four and a half years Punya lived in an environment where there was eleven different care-givers that came in and out of her life.  They fed her, clothed her, bathed her, assisted her, taking care of her needs.  Is it no wonder that, though the title has changed from "Auntie" to "Mommy" she is having a hard time figuring out who this term is for?  A bit hard for this Momma to stomach a first, she calls everyone who cares for her in some way "Mom".  I first noticed it when she was over the fence at the neighbor's for about fifteen minutes, then it was her sisters.  We've had to ask our dear friends to give us more time to adjust and regroup as a family.  This we know is just one of the learning curves with older-child adoption and there will be plenty more ahead of us.  Thank you to our loving family and friends who are painfully holding back and helping us, help Punya figure out the difference between family and friends. 

Some specific ways you can help:

1) Allow her immediate family to touch only; hugs, kisses and holding need to belong here for an unknown amount of time.  High fives are great!  She will reach for hugs from everyone so be completely comfortable telling her friends high five and steering her back to us for anything else.

2) Allow us to feed her.  If food is offered, allow us to hand it to her, give her the plate, etc.  She needs to know that her immediate family will meet her physical needs.

3) Don't worry at all if you forget, I do too!  If either of us remembers just say it to her; "Oops, no hugs from friends, high five me instead!" 

4) Pray that God will help us meet her heart needs and see/sense what she cannot tell us.

THANKS FOR HELPING US!