Blog Archive

Deals of the Week: Holiday Bundles I & II

 With Halloween just the week away, I can't help thinking about the holiday season.  It's coming so quickly.  

Are you ready? 

Have you planned out what your kiddos are going to learn?

Boy, do we have some amazing resources for you!  

This week, Sunday, October 25 through Saturday, October 31, 2020 our Holiday Bundles I & II are on sale for 50% OFF as our Deal of a Week.  

And if you're not interested in an entire bundle, all individual printable packs within each bundle are also on sale for 50% OFF as well.

Deal of the Week: Montessori-inspired Holidays Bundle

Montessori-inspired Holidays Around the World Bundle

The original Montessori-inspired Holidays Around the World Bundle includes some amazing resources for several holidays throughout the year, not just Christmas.  

Right now you can purchase it at 50% OFF for only $39.99.

We have used ALL of these resources in our classroom. They have been a HUGE hit!

If you'd like more information about individual printable packs, including a table of contents for each one, be sure to click on the images below.

Montessori-inspired Christmas Themed Language Bundle Montessori-inspired Botany Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Religious Christmas Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Gingerbread Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Nutcracker Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Hanukkah Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Kwanzaa Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Diwali Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Ramadan Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Winter Holidays Around the World Printable Pack

This week, we don't have just one bundle on sale. We have two!!!

Deal of the Week: Holidays Around the World Bundle II

Montessori-inspired Holidays Around the World Bundle II


The year after we created the first holidays bundle, our kids begged for more during the holiday season, so we created another one!  The Montessori-inspired Holidays Around the World Bundle II is filled with brand new content!

Three new new holidays are included, as well as expansion packs for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.  We've also added a cursive version of the language bundle for any and all who would like it.  

There's also a study of deer included!

You can purchase the entire bundle at 50% OFF for only $29.99 or select individual printable packs by clicking on the images below.
Montessori-inspired Christmas Themed Language Bundle in CursiveMontessori-inspired St. Nicholas Day Printable PackMontessori-inspired Las Posadas Printable PackMontessori-inspired Kwanzaa Printable Pack IIMontessori-inspired Hanukkah Printable Pack IIMontessori-inspired Three Kings Day Printable PackMontessori-inspired Deer Printable Pack
If you are looking for holiday resources, this week is the best time to grab them! 

This will be the last time the holiday bundles are on sale during the year 2020.  

This will also be the last year the holiday individual printable packs will be on sale during 2020.

I promise you will LOVE them!
Read More »

Deal of the Week: Astronomy Bundle

 My kids LOVE astronomy.  This is the entire reason I created the Montessori-inspired Astronomy Bundle.  

We have used this bundle so many times in so many different ways.  It has provided months and months of learning for preschool and elementary students.

This week, Sunday, October 18th through Saturday, October 24th, 2020, this amazing science resource can be yours at 50% OFF for only $29.99.  

It's our deal of the week!  

(This will be the last time this bundle is available during 2020.)

Deal of the Week: Montessori-inspired Astronomy Bundle


Let's take a closer look at what's included.

Montessori-inspired Astronomy Bundle

Montessori-inspired Stars Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Sun Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Moon Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Solar System Printable Pack

If you aren't interested in the entire Montessori-inspired Astronomy Bundle, (which I HIGHLY recomend) all of the individual printable packs in the bundle are also on sale for 50% OFF.  Just click on the images above.

Read More »

Deal of the Week: Harvest Sale (50% OFF Halloween & Thanksgiving Resources)

 The leaves are changing.  Weather is cooling.  For us, the holiday season begins with the celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving.  

Though I live in the United States, my family grew up just 15 minutes from the Canadian border.  My grandmother was born in Canada.

In honor of the start of the holiday season and Canadian Thanksgiving, our Deal of the Week is a Harvest Sale.  

All of our Halloweeen and Thanksgiving resources are on sale for 50% OFF.  

You can purchase products indivually or you can grab our Halloween and Thanksgiving Bundles.

Deal of the Week: Harvest Sale at Every Star Is Different

Montessori-inspired Halloween Bundle

Our Montessori-inspired Halloween Bundle is such a fun nonscary resource to use during the month of October for preschoolers and early elementary students.

All images are true to life.  No imaginary concepts are included.  It is such a fun bundle!

Montessori-inspired Halloween Bundle 

You can purchase the entire Montessori-inspired Halloween Bundle at 50% OFF for only $19.99.

Or you can purchase individual components of the bundle at 50% OFF.  Just click on the images below.  
Montessori-inspired Halloween Themed Language Bundle Montessori-inspired Halloween Jack-o-lantern Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Halloween Animals Printable Pack

Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving Bundle

The Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving Bundle is the ultimate resource for use in the classroom during the month of November or any time you're studying Native Americans and early explorers and colonists.

This culturally sensitive and respectul resource is perfect for teaching children about American History from all sides.

Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving Bundle

You can purchase the entire Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving Bundle (300 pages+) at 50% OFF for $29.99.

Or you can purchase any of the individual products included for 50% OFF by clicking on the images below.
Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Native American History Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Explorers and Colonists Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Self-Care: Nutrition Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Self-Care: Kitchen Tasks Printable Pack
I absolutely LOVE this time of year.  It is so fun to have holiday themed activities and printables in the classroom. The kids are so excited to use them!

Be sure to grab your Halloween and Thanksgiving Resources for 50% OFF as part of our Deal of the Week Harvest Sale today!

This week will be the last time you can purchase the Halloween and Thanksgiving Bundles during the year 2020.

This week will also be the last week you can purchase the individual Halloween and Thanksgiving resources on sale during the year 2020.

Grab them now while you can!

Read More »

What Is RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder)?

There is one question I receive more than any other, when discussing my daughters and the trauma they endured, before they became members of our family.

What Is RAD or Reactive Attachment Disorder?

So few have ever heard of it, which is extremely concerning for so many reasons.  

But... 

Once a child has Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD it is extremely difficult to overcome.  Some never do.

What Is Reactive Attachment Disorder?

What is RAD or Reactive Attachment Disorder?


A child can learn to cope with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD, but that all depends on the child's cognitive abilities. It also depends on if Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD is the only diagnosis the child has.

Many children with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD have other mental health and developmental diagnoses which complicate things significantly.

Some have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or experienced drug exposure in the womb making the brain function more complicated.

There are some doctors and specialists that believe in neuroplasticity, which means the brain can change and heal over a significant period of time.  When possible, this take decades.

Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD can be a life long struggle.

So how does one end up with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD?

What Happens in Utero to Cause Reactive Attachment Disorder?

What happens in utero?


We often think that a human's life begins at birth.  But before birth, an infant grows in the mother's uterus for about 40 weeks.  That is a LONG time.

During that time, everything that happens to the mother, happens to the infant.  When the mother feels stress, the infant feels stress.  

When the mother endures trauma, the infant endures trauma.

This doesn't even account for what a mother is putting in her body, and how she takes care of herself.  When she is neglectful of herself, she is neglectful of the infant.

The infant's brain begins to develop around the 6 week mark during pregnancy. So much of the brain's formation is dependent on the mother's lifestyle and choices during pregnancy.

Even before an infant is born, the brain may have experienced so much trauma that it is already altered.

What Happens During Infancy to Cause Reactive Attachment Disorder?

What happens during infancy?



Once an infant is born, it thrives based on the caregiver's ability to meet its needs, and establish a secure attachment.

When a baby cries because its hungry, the caregiver feeds it.  The crying stops.  Caregiver and infant bond.

When a baby cries because it needs a diaper change, the caregiver changes the diaper.  The baby stops crying.  Caregiver and infant bond.

When a baby cries because it desires to be held and comforted, the caregiver holds the baby.  Once again the baby stops crying.  The two form a relationship of trust and love.

With every need that is met, the infant and caregiver are forming a stronger attachment with one another. 

The baby learns to trust that the caregiver will respond with love each and every time, meeting every need.

But... 

What happens when a caregiver doesn't respond?  

What happens when a caregiver responds only part of the time?

What happens when a caregiver responds negatively to the infant?

A baby may learn there's no point in crying, because no one will come.  So the crying stops.

A baby may not understand what to do, and remain in distress all the time, because the caregiver's response varies, and the infant doesn't know what to expect.

A baby may learn that crying results in pain inflicted by others, so it smiles all the time instead.

During these crucial months of brain development any one of these situations is extremely dangerous.

When the growing brain has to reprogram itself to survive, without needs being met by a caregiver, for an extended period of time, changes in the brain can become permanent or hardwired.

The infant learns through experience that caregivers can not be trusted.  

No loving attachment is formed.

Instead caregivers become a threat to survival.

What Happens to Cause Reactive Attachment Disorder?

So now what?


An infant who has not formed a secure attachment with a caregiver, and can not work through the trauma they've experienced, develops Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD.  

The brain has been altered to the point that the damage may be permanent.

This can be diagnosed by the age of three years old, if seen by the proper professionals.

Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD can be the result of neglect and abuse suffered by a child who is in foster care or an orphanage.  

It can also occur if a mother has post partum depression without any supports.  

In some cases it occurs as a result of medical trauma experienced for an extended period of time during the first months of life.

There are multiple situations that can result in this disorder.

Now please understand, Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD occurs when an infant does not have a consistent caregiver who provides for its needs in a nurturing way.  This caregiver does not have to be the mother.  

If the mother is unable to care for her child, anyone can step in and do so.  The infant's brain can develop properly, so long as someone can be consistent at all times.

In rare cases, Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD may have already established itself at birth.

No one knows how Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD will affect each individual brain. Every brain is different.  It operates on a spectrum.  Some cases are mild.  Some are severe.

What Does Reactive Attachment Disorder Look Like?

What does Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD look like?


Both of our daughters came to us at about six months of age through foster care.  In both cases, the damage to the brain was already done.  Both were diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD at three years of age.

But no one could tell from just looking at them that they had Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD.  If people saw anything, they saw parents who appeared to be losing their minds.

Infancy


Princess would not let me feed her or change her.  She would scream inconsolably for hours on a daily basis no matter what I did.  

I could not bathe her without her experiencing significant distress.  No matter how much I showed her love and tried to comfort her, it didn't work.

Sunshine also screamed for hours a day.  She did not know when to stop eating. As a result, she was constantly vomiting while crying for more food.  

Sunshine could not tolerate being held.  It was as if it hurt her.  I can remember only two times she ever fell asleep in my arms.  No matter how much I wanted to console her, she was inconsolable.

Both girls had horrible night terrors that we could not stop, no matter how hard we tried.

My husband and I pushed through all of this with hope, that after a significant amount of time, the love that we were giving our girls, would help heal their hearts and brains.

The Toddler Years


We could identify PTSD episodes in Princess and Sunshine as early as two years old.  Through nightmares and sensory experiences, we were able to develop a pretty good understanding of the trauma and neglect they'd experienced as an infants.  

Sleep issues were significant.

Both exhibited a delay in motor skills and had significant sensory issues.  

Princess and Sunshine still struggled with food issues.  Sunshine couldn't get enough, and would steal and gorge her food to the point of gagging and vomiting daily.  Princess would refuse to eat for hours.  Mealtime was a nightmare.

To say that the two were defiant was an understatement.  EVERYTHING was a battle.  And no, it wasn't in that terrible two and horrible three way.  They would not let us care for them.  

When it normally takes a toddler a few times to understand rules and boundaries, it took the girls a thousand times.  They could not trust anything we did, nor could they trust us to take care of them.

We continued parenting in the best ways we knew how, and sought out help from a therapist that specialized in trauma.  

No matter what our girls were struggling with, we were determined to help them.  Our love was unconditional.  We had hope that we could help them heal.

The Preschool Years


Defiance escalated to an oppositional defiance diagnosis level.  The girls would scream, yell and refuse the simplest and necessary tasks for hours.  We started to see destruction to property, harming of one's self and others, sexually acting out, cruelty to animals, and more.

Both girls displayed a huge lack of safety awareness that would often manifest itself similar to ADHD.

Princess avoided contact with everyone.  Sunshine had to hug and kiss anyone she met continuously.  Relationship boundaries of any kind were so incredibly hard.

Nightmares, PTSD episodes, and panic attacks were occurring on a daily basis in both girls.

Princess was in therapy at age three.  Sunshine wasn't cognitively ready yet.  

My husband and I worked closely with our therapist.  We read every resource we could get our hands on, willing to learn how to parent in the ways our girls needed.  Hope would keep us going on our most difficult days.  

Six Years Old


At six years old Princess took an interest in self injurious behaviors and sharp objects.  Room searches and lock boxes were a necessity.  She needed to be supervised around the clock, during the day, at arm's length.  An alarm was put on her bedroom door at night.

Six years of age was also the year Princess was threatening to kill me on a regular basis.  It stopped when I finally told her to just get it done and over with. 

Princess' longest screaming fit lasted eight hours that year.  Princess would destroy property the minute someone wasn't looking.  

At six years old Sunshine was taken from our home in a police car, and admitted to an inpatient pediatric psychiatric ward. She wanted her family dead, and was physically attacking me multiple times a day, on a daily basis.

Sunshine started at a day program, in an effort to delay residential treatment at such a young age.  We had an intensive in-home therapist in our home at least three hours a week.

Both girls were expert liars and enjoyed stealing from others.

And all of this because we tried to love them.  They couldn't handle it.  Their brains viewed us as the ultimate threat.

Still, my husband and I kept moving forward with hope.  

If we could just help them move past this phase of brain development...  

If we could just figure out how to help our girls.

They could and would get better.

Eight Years Old


Princess' self-injurious behaviors increased.  She talked about wanting to kill herself.  Constant supervision was required.  Princess could pick a fight about anything, and was sure to do so every chance she got.

Sunshine ended up being taken from our home, in a police car, and admitted to an inpatient pediatric psychiatric ward TWICE in one month, for attacking me, to the point of leaving bruises and bite marks.  

From there she was transferred to a residential treatment facility where she remained for six months.  

She only returned home for six weeks before she needed to return to a residential treatment center again for wanting to kill her brother Dinomite and me.

Eight years old has been by far our hardest year parenting children with Reactive Attachment Disorder, but with each one, hope has not been lost.  We're working through things.  We advocate for our girls.  We continue to love unconditionally.

Preteen Years


We've been fortunate that Princess has simmered down since eight years old. This isn't to say that she didn't struggle during the preteen years. Puberty was a very difficult time for her.

She still struggled daily with all that Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD does to mess with her brain, but she's decided she wants to be part of our family.  It's okay that we love her.  

Just the other day, Princess blew me away when she said it was okay to give her compliments now.  They were no longer too scary.

To Princess love means safety, and we provide that.

Princess is beginning to heal.

Sunshine's preteen years have been extremely difficult. She has been in four residential placements before returning home at age eleven. There are still difficulties.

The brain resets during puberty.  This is usually the most difficult time for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD.  Depending on how long they lived through the trauma and neglect, will determine how long it takes their brain to settle again.

Our main goal is to ensure that no matter where Sunshine is, we are still her family.  She deserves a family.  We have hope, that like her sister, eventually her brain can begin to heal.

Teen Years


Though we haven't experienced much of the teen years with our girls yet, I have many friends who have experienced this difficult time.  Things will either become far worse or they'll tone down.

Nothing you've seen in a horror movie is off the table when it comes to the extreme lengths these children will go to push away love.  Some set fires.  Others become involved with crime, sex, drugs, and alcohol.  

Still there is hope!

Princess is doing incredible.

Parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD is the HARDEST thing an individual will ever do, but it's worth it.

How the Reactive Attachment Disordered Brain Works

How the Reactive Attachment Disordered or RAD Brain Works


The most tragic thing about Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD is that it's not the child's fault the brain is wired the way it is.

There is this constant negative working model cycling inside the child's head.  

The caregiver shows love and support.

Then, the child's Reactive Attachment Disordered or RAD brain is triggered.  Love and support are too scary.

The child provokes the caregiver, because the brain is craving the same response it was given during those early months of life.  Neglect and/or abuse feels better.  It's calming. It's their normal.

Please note that in a situation where an infant is experiencing significant medical trauma and pain, and can not be held or cared for by caregivers, the infant's brain can and sometimes does identify this in the same way it would abuse and neglect, even though medical procedures and distance from loved ones is necessary.

When caregivers give in to the child's provoking, they satisfy the Reactive Attachment Disordered or RAD brain.  But, they also feed the brain's thoughts of worthlessness.

This cycle continues over and over again day in and day out.  

A caregiver doesn't want to, and can not become a neglectful and/or abusive caregiver.

But, doing the opposite, showing unconditional love and support no matter what, doesn't work either.  

The child can not accept that love.  Not because they don't want to, but because their brain is now wired not to accept it.

Both situations are equally dangerous.

This same negative working model can occur with siblings of children with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD.  It is crucial that parents identify this and set up safety plans to keep everyone safe.

The negative working model can also occur with anyone who tries to form a close relationship with the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD.  The closer the person tries to get, the more behaviors they will see.

The Caregiver's Job

The Caregiver's Job


It's the caregiver's job not to give in to the negative working model, no matter how severe the behaviors become.  Hope for healing is a necessity.

At the same time, the caregiver needs to find safe boundaries when showing love and affection, so as not to trigger the Reactive Attachment Disordered or RAD brain.

In some cases this may mean no physical affection.  

In other cases it may mean loving from a distance, as a child receives residential treatment, where both the child and the caregiver can remain safe. 

Parenting in this way feels backwards and upside down with a lot of judgment from others.

It means loving someone who may never be able to love, or even treat you kindly.

A child with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD usually has one main target in the household. 

In most cases it's the caregiver who fulfills the role of mother.  

The child may act completely normal and innocent with the caregiver who fulfills the role of father, but then go to the extreme of trying to hurt or kill the mother figure.  This can lead to significant marital problems and triangulation scenarios.

When it comes to others in the child's life, so long as they don't get too close, they may not see any of the Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD behaviors at all.  

Caring for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD is an emotional rollercoaster that may come with PTSD, an anxiety disorder, depression and more.

But, despite all of that, you're saving a life, one day at a time.  Though it is incredibly hard, it can be worth it. 

Every child deserves a chance.

Every child deserves to be loved.

There is hope of healing.

Children with  Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD do not want to behave the way they do.  

They wish more than anything that they could control that part of their brain that has been damaged.

They wish they could accept love.  

They wish they could handle having a family, even when they don't seem to.

It is so important for the caregiver to understand this.  Don't lose hope!

For those who would like more resources regarding Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD, be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter by clicking the link below.


If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy the posts below.

Reactive Attachment Disorder Support and Resources To Be a Mother of a Young Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Our Pediatric Mental Health Crisis From the Mother of a Bully How to Discipline a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Must Have Safety Resources When Parenting a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder 4 Steps to Managing Aggressive Behaviors One Sure Way to Help Your Child Work Through Emotions

What Is Reactive Attachment Disorder?


Read More »