Parenting the Difficult Child: A Biblical Perspective on Reactive Attachment Disorder

Is your child defiant, often angry, frequently lying, inordinately affectionate to strangers, resistant to affection from parents, lacking in remorse, and seemingly unable to trust anyone? Antisocial behaviors and attitudes like these can lead to a diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Adopted children are especially prone to develop it. Parenting the Difficult Child: A Biblical Perspective on Reactive Attachment Disorder applies a biblical lens to a child exhibiting defiant and aggressive behaviors and RAD characteristics. Using specific examples and practical implementation ideas, it explains how parents can apply the clear, practical solutions of Scripture to address the habituated heart motivations, thoughts, and actions of an alienated, angry child. It shows how to get to heart issues and how to handle manipulation. The behaviors of the antisocial child challenge the whole family. Two chapters are devoted to encouraging and guiding parents and siblings who may themselves struggle with difficult emotions. Part three concisely explains several primary attachment theories and contrasts them with biblical principles. For example, what does the Bible say about the idea that children labeled with RAD do not trust and lack a conscience? It provides biblical principles pertinent for evaluating behavioral research and attachment therapies. Christian parents, counselors, and pastors will find this practical book helpful for learning what the Bible says about difficult children, including those labeled with RAD, and how to parent them.