Honeymoon

This refers to the time when a child is placed in a new environment and just wants to please.  There is usually no evidence of negative behaviors and life is grand!  This is what we have been experiencing for the last 3 weeks.  Starting yesterday we began getting a sneak peek into some of the challenges we and J will face together.  One thing that was heartbreaking is to hear him say "I bad boy?" I quickly corrected him and told him that he is a GOOD boy even when his choices are bad.  It's so easy to let slip "be good" or "you're being bad"  when it's the choices in behavior that are what's bad not the child.  We have weathered the first storm together and have come out on top!  He is finding the boundaries, testing the rules, and finding out what will happen.  Though tiresome and draining these are good things for him to be doing and show that he is truly feeling at home with us.  J is still showing us his sweet side most of the time and he gets lots of praise for that.  His star chart for chores is working well too.  For the most part life just keeps whistling it's happy tune, we are just starting to have a few hiccups thrown in.