Window on the Clearwater
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Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater has joined the Wednesday's Child network to help spread the word about children that are waiting for families to give them the loving care that they need. Each Wednesday we will profile a different child. For more information about Wednesday's Child and how you can be involved check the web site at: http://www.idahowednesdayschild.org/.

Patrick, Pauline, Kevin & Jessica

Ages: 1-10

Portraits and profile provided by NWAE.

Patrick (10), Pauline (8), Kevin (5) and Jessica (1) are a wonderful group of siblings with cheerful faces that light up a room. They all have sweet, quiet, even-tempered dispositions and rarely misbehave. Their warm smiles and joyful laughter leave a favorable impression on everyone they encounter, and make them such a pleasure to have around.

Patrick is a funny boy who likes to make others laugh. He has adjusted positively to foster care, gets along well with adults, and has remarkable leadership traits developing. Patrick is almost always happy. His rosy viewpoint of the world doesn't allow him to dwell on the negatives. Patrick is able to use his time productively and easily self-entertains. Some of his favorites are Lego's, Harry Potter, Star Wars, fantasy trading cards. When he's outdoors he likes riding his bike and swinging. He also does well in school, enjoying math and art. Further assessment might be beneficial for his mild speech and processing issues. He recently started his first team sport, baseball. He loves it!

Sweet Pauline has demonstrated abundant progress since coming into care. Her teachers dote, "everyone loves Pauline." She is caring, patient with young children, brave, a hard worker, well-behaved and is able to entertain herself easily. She loves dolls, animals, toy kitchens, playing outside on the swing-set, drawing, and is showing a lot of interest in swimming. Pauline continues to be successful in school with supports in specific academic areas. She has developed a healthy trust relationship with her caregivers, and is confident that her needs will be met. She will need adoptive parents who can validate her experiences and provide her a safe place to share her feelings.

Kevin loves to laugh and often wears a huge gap-toothed smile. He has a growing appetite and loves to eat, watching closely as meals are prepared! Kevin is generally a happy boy and thrives with verbal praise. A little handyman, Kevin loves tools and taking things apart. This little guy gets excited when he sees big trucks or construction equipment. At home he mirrors his fascination by filling up his toy trucks with rocks, pushing them around and dumping the rocks out. He also likes to swing on the swing set and ride his bike. Kevin looks up to his older foster brother, and will tag along whenever he can. Kevin is developing at his own pace and receives educational support to help him meet his goals. It is difficult at this time to fully understand Kevin's true intellectual abilities given his exposure to trauma and neglect. He will need further assessment and testing as he grows. He is advancing in his speech development.

Jessica is a typical toddler. She is meeting her milestones on time. Jessica has been in her same placement almost since birth, and has developed strong attachment skills. She likes to have free roam and explore everything. She has a drawer of lids in the kitchen that she likes to unload and load. A curious and busy girl, she explores any toy she can get her hands on, but prefers dolls and balls. She is always near her foster mother. She knows how to voice what she wants and make sure she gets it.

Patrick, Pauline, Kevin and Jessica are part of a larger sibling group, and visit occasionally with these siblings. Potential adoptive families should consider their willingness to continue a healthy and appropriate relationship with members of the children's birth family in the future. These children have also developed strong attachments to their caregiver families. It will be beneficial for interested adoptive families to employ a sensitive transition plan and consider incorporating these important relationships. Because these siblings are not legally free, interested families need to be licensed for foster care and have an approved adoption home study completed.

Patrick and Pauline are being encouraged to speak their mind and share their thoughts. They need to know that they don't have to keep negative feelings and experiences inside. Enriching activities will be of great benefit, and they both need adoptive parents who can help them develop their social skills. Patrick has shown that he can make good use of supports like counseling. Successful adoptive parents will be able to advocate for all four children while addressing their individual needs to help them reach their full potential.

All four children thrive on routine, consistency, calm, and nurturing parenting. Their adoptive family will need to be flexible, patient, have a good sense of humor, and a calm environment. The family will need to have a variety of supports, adequate time and energy, good teamwork abilities, good advocacy skills, and the willingness to see the best in these children and help them blossom. Patrick, Pauline, Kevin and Jessica are a delight to parent and will reward their new family with their wonderful smiles, triumphs, progress and resilient spirits.

Photos by Jared Seger.

To find out more about Patrick, Pauline, Kevin & Jessica, adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine (Please include your zip code and city.) or call 1-800-926-2588. The siblings are available for adoption through the state of Oregon.

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Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544

Telephone:
Orofino 476-0733
Fax: 208-476-4140

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