c7331-34

Child's name: Breanna, Brenden, Ethan and Roman
Number: C7331-34
Birthdate: 9/98, 3/00, 1/03 and 12/07
State: Oregon
Listed: March 2009, Updated 10/09

If you have completed an adoption homestudy and would like to have your information forwarded to this child's worker, contact us.

With the right family, the sky’s the limit for BREANNA (9/98), BRENDEN (3/00), ETHAN (1/03), and ROMAN (12/07). The children love Mexican food, so get ready for a lively taco night.

Breanna is outgoing and thrives on parental attention. As the oldest, she needs a reminder now and then to allow herself to be just a kid and let the adults parent. Breanna benefits in school from having extra supports to help her with Math, Communication, and Language Arts. She has made tremendous progress in working through her anger and loss, so much so that her counselor has discontinued her therapy sessions due to Breanna's progress and growth.

Brenden is a handsome boy who has had to grow up very fast. He loves to be active and help others. A great “debater,” he often argues for the fun of it rather than to be defiant or difficult. Brenden is on target at school and does well both academically and socially.

Ethan, who is developmentally on target, is making important progress in increasing his ability to trust and form attachments. The best payoff is that he now appears to enjoy getting hugs and other physical expressions of affection. Ethan is the dare devil of the siblings and should have some attentive parental oversight of activities to make sure he’s safe. Ethan also is strong willed, which can be a real strength when properly focused on healthy ends. Currently, Ethan is making good progress in learning to talk about his feelings and thoughts instead of acting them out. He has a ways to go, but he’s getting there.

Very sweet and cuddly, Roman appears to be on target in his development. As the baby of the family, his siblings dote on him. Routine and structure are especially important in Roman’s daily life, and he becomes a very unhappy little boy when his routine is disrupted. While Roman has a minor heart condition, it does not require any treatment now, nor is it expected to be a problem in the future.

Prior to coming into foster care for permanency planning in 2008, the children’s lives were very chaotic. Multiple placements in and out of alternative care have exacerbated the trauma they experienced in the past. As they transition into their adoptive home, the oldest three will need a safety plan in place that includes clear rules, limits, and consequences, as well as very attentive parental supervision to help them strengthen their boundaries and develop good personal safety skills. Therapeutic supports are currently helping them with these issues, as well as with their feelings of grief, loss, and abandonment.

Being willing to participate with the children in family counseling during their adoption transition would be a wonderful way for their adoptive parents to demonstrate their love and commitment to them. It could also underscore for the children that their new folks value using such therapeutic supports to help family members resolve difficulties, make behavioral change, and grow emotionally and socially.

The ideal adoptive parents will be able to model healthy behavior between adults and children and between adults, and help the children reclaim their childhood. The children will do best as either the only children or the youngest in their new home. It will be important for the adoptive parents to have a good grasp of how past trauma may impact a child’s sense of safety and well being, as well her/his emotional and behavioral development. Understandably, these children have strong attachments to their biological mother, whom they have had to protect in many ways. A family who understands this dynamic and who is patient in teaching these children to understand how to be “kids” will be ideal.

While these children will surely bring challenges, they are sure to demonstrate their depth of love, affection, and loyalty to one another and others, strength in the face of adversity, and unlimited potential.

Subsidy and Purchase of Service may be available.

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