Parenting a Child with Attachment Disorder: What to Expect | Dr. Aimie Apigian

"What It’s Really Like Parenting a Child with Attachment Disorder – Raw, Honest Stories From Real Families

Parenting is already a life-changing responsibility—but when you're raising a child with attachment disorder, the rules are different, the challenges are deeper, and the emotional toll can feel unrelenting.

In this powerful video, parents open up—many for the first time—about their real, lived experiences parenting children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and complex relational trauma. These are not textbook stories. These are stories from the frontlines—raw, emotional, heartbreaking, and deeply human.

You’ll hear about the confusion, the exhaustion, and the isolation that comes with parenting a child who pushes love away—while desperately needing it the most. But you'll also hear stories of resilience, compassion, and the power of being seen.

If you're parenting a child with attachment trauma, you are not alone.

What You’ll Hear in This Video:
• Why traditional parenting advice often doesn’t work for RAD
• The deep loneliness and emotional toll caregivers face
• How trauma manifests as extreme behaviors in children
• The invisible struggles families face behind closed doors
• Encouragement to connect with others and break the isolation

Timestamps:
[00:00] Parenting a child with attachment disorder is different—and exhausting
[01:30] Parents share the hardest parts of RAD parenting
[02:45] Stories of anger, violence, and confusion—“Where is this coming from?”
[04:30] The heartbreak of being misunderstood by professionals and peers
[05:30] When love alone isn’t enough: The myth of “fixing” trauma with affection
[06:45] “It’s surviving, not just parenting”: Life with RAD is moment to moment
[08:30] The toll on spouses and families—how trauma impacts everyone

🎧 Want More Support? Start Here:
Free 15 Tools of the Biology of Trauma:
https://www.traumahealingaccelerated....
Attachment Trauma Roadmap – A guide for healing relational trauma:
https://bit.ly/4aKf3VO
Foundational Journey – A 6-week guided trauma healing experience:
https://bit.ly/4aKf3VO

🎙 Related Podcast Episodes:
Attachment Adaptations from Age 0–6 Months – Early gaps and their lifelong impact:
https://bit.ly/3VHhIvn
Polyvagal Theory & Attachment Trauma – Nervous system states and chronic illness:
https://bit.ly/3XmpcFa
Fear Stored in the Gut – How trauma and gut health are deeply connected:
https://bit.ly/3xYpxDN

🛠️ Tools for Support & Regulation:
Weighted Neck Scarf – A calming tool for overwhelmed nervous systems:
https://bit.ly/4cIhUAv
Tri-Magnesium Power – Support for brain function and trauma recovery:
https://bit.ly/4bFqUFh

🌐 Connect with Dr. Aimie & the Biology of Trauma® Community:
Website: https://www.traumahealingaccelerated.com
Instagram:   / draimie  
YouTube:    / @draimieapigian  

#ReactiveAttachmentDisorder #AttachmentTrauma #ParentingTrauma #BiologyOfTrauma #DrAimieApigian #RADParenting #ComplexTrauma #HealingJourney #NervousSystemHealing #TraumaInformedParenting"