Mothers of Left Behind Children

["Ken Prescott" <krprescott@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Are there any publications on this issue?
 
We have seen a number of mothers who immigrate from Mexico and other
Central American Countries due to a loss of their spouse, who upon
leaving and due to the hardship of the journey, leave their children in
the care of relatives prior to beginning the trip to the United States.
Five to ten years later, they have saved enough and send for the
children to come to join them.  In the meantime, the mother has also
married or moved in with a man she met here.  When the children arrive,
the girls are often the victims of sexual seduction and abuse by the
mother's male companion.
 
Working with the mother and children, in an effort to help them reach
their goal of re-unification, is often complicated by the attachment
losses associated with the time the children had previously been away
from the mother.
 
 
Thank you!
 
Ken Prescott, MSW, LCSW
Los Angeles, California