We raised five orphans — now they say we traumatized them
After taking in five siblings whose parents died, a couple says accusations that they traumatized the children have been heartbreaking despite years of care.
Dear Annie: My husband and I took in five siblings after both of their parents died, even though we were already raising a large family of our own. Overnight, our lives changed. The children were 7, 9, 12, 13 and 15 when they came to us, and we did our best to give them safety, stability and love. We showed up for school events, sports, camps and counseling, though one child’s severe behavioral struggles made daily life especially difficult.