I adopted my daughter from foster care when she was 8 and she's 16 now, but she still flinches when I try to hug her and I don't know if I should keep trying.
More people experience this than they realize.
A parent must learn to love a child whose past has taught them that physical affection signals danger, not safety.
“Where Are You with Parent–Child Love?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.