Trauma-Proofing Your Kids is dedicated to my godchildren, Jacob, Jada and Ossian. Participation in your lives, from birth to childhood, and then through adolescence into young adulthood, has been a gift beyond all measures. You and the many other infants, babies, toddlers, children and teenagers I have encountered along the way have taught me more about healing than all of the academic texts in the world. This book is dedicated to you, with the deepest appreciation and with the passionate hope that what I have learned from you can be shared with all the mommies and daddies so that they can better guide their kids through the tribulations, defeats and ultimate triumphs of life. And enduring thankfulness to all the children of the world; you are our hope for the future.
I also have a deep appreciation for my students (many of whom are now colleagues). To Ana DoValle, OT, I appreciate her sensitive perceptions in work with traumatized infants. I thank Juliana DoValle (now a young woman on her way to a brilliant acting and writing career), who at age eleven drew the illustrations that appear in these pages. I thank Lorin Hager, who helped refine the verses. And finally, enormous gratitude goes to Maggie Kline, my most talented and creative colleague and fellow mischief-maker. I am indebted, more than words can express, for her support, commitment, dedication and her plain hard work.
I dedicate this book to my son Jake, who has taught me so much about what kids need to be confident, joyful and resilient. I am grateful for his generous spirit, support and tenacity in facing life’s challenges.
I wish to express heartfelt appreciation to all the children and teens that I have worked and played with over the years, both in inner-city schools and private practice. I am grateful for their courage, openness, candor and spontaneity, for they have taught me to listen, follow their lead and trust in their innate capacity to heal, even from the most egregious wounds. Most of all, I wish to thank Peter Levine, who originated and developed Somatic Experiencing® to prevent and heal trauma. His mentorship, wisdom, passion, inspiration and love have changed both my personal and professional life profoundly and forever. His vision for the future of the world’s children is more than just a vision—it is a clear and simple path that parents can take step-by-step to alleviate unnecessary suffering. For his big-hearted nature and care for all children, I am most grateful.