Project James 1:27

Vaughn

Boy, Born April 5, 2009


Vaughn is diagnosed with HIV.

From his caregivers: boy contact, emotional, and friendly. Recognize staff group plays well with peers. A child stands alone, sits attempts to walk. Eat with spoon, drinking from a cup with an adult.

For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/

For more information on Vaghn and other waiting children please click here. Also we have several links on our sidebar of children waiting in the US.

The child of the week this week is Sterling,  Born August 8, 2006.

Sterling is a super cute little boy who is very active, loving, and playful. He is a happy child, always smiling and playing with other children. He does have a heart condition (we are waiting to learn the type), but he is doing very well!

If you want to read a blog of a mother traveling right now to bring home 2 of these precious angels you can go to http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/. If you read through her blog you will see why it is so very important for these kids to have homes.

For more info on Sterling and many other waiting children you can click here.

Last week, a friend of mine asked me to put on Facebook about a sibling group of three boys who needed a home.  The response I received was amazing!  So many people wanting additional information.  I can only imagine the prayers being said, and the family discussions happening that evening.  The questions and comments probably looked something like this:

"Do we have the space to house them?"

"What would our family say if we pursued them?"

"There is a cost, but how do you put a price on three lives?"

Well, friends, that got us thinking.  How many people out there would be willing to open their home to children who are in desperate need of a family?  Do people even know that this is a real need that we have in Indiana, and in our country?  There are thousands of children who are waiting to be scooped up and given a chance through the foster care system.  THOUSANDS are legally free for adoption!

But where do you turn?  What do you do?

HERE  is a good place to start.  It is the state website where you will find information on waiting children here in Indiana.  Children who just need a second chance.  You will also find information on how to become a foster parent.  Each state has a site similar to this one.  If you are not in Indiana, you could google it!

If you are east of Indianapolis, you can contact Karen Frame or Heather Hill at 765-458-5121.  They can get you started.


The state website has a photolisting of children waiting for families in the state of Indiana.  However, coming soon, there is a unique opportunity for you to see pictures of these children as compliments of the Heart Gallery.  Read below for information. 

Do you have to be wealthy?  NO!  Your homestudy, and agency support is all FREE!  You also get paid a stipend for housing children in  your home.


Are your children out of the home and you have an empty nest?  Do you still have love to give?  You are the ideal foster parent!  You will have time and experience to devote to a child, and the space for them to call home! 

If full-time parenting isn't what you're ready for, then respite care might be the perfect fit.  With respite care, you provide time off for the full-time foster parent, and for the child!  It may be that the parent needs to go out of town for the weekend.  You could step in and have their child come and spend the weekend with you.  It gives the child a change of scenery, and a new adventure for a few days.  Respite care is important!

Again, I ask.  What are you going to do?  I took the leap.  My husband and I are licensed foster parents.  We're actually going through the license renewal right now.  It is a path I never thought I'd choose.  And the outcome of taking that leap of faith has been interesting, challenging, fun, and eye-opening so far.  I am not sure where we'll end up at the end of this thing we call life, but I am thankful my husband and I said, "Yes!"   Are you willing to do the same?

A friend of mine emailed me and asked me to spread the word about 3 boys (brothers) that need a family. They are looking for a Christina family for these boys ages 11, 10 & 8.

The boys have lost their mother and their father in not involved in their lives. They are currently living with their grandmother but she is ill and needs to find them a home. There are no other family members to take the boys in so they really need to find a family.

The boys love sports and going to church.

I you or someone you know might be interested in finding out more about these boys please email me at arewethereyetla5[at]verizon[dot]net.
These boys are in Indiana.

TAKE ACTION!

One disgusting move on an adoptive family's part could impact the future of adoption. 

Click the following link to read and take action for orphans worldwide!  Do not rely on someone else to do it!  The face of adoption depends on us to TAKE ACTION!

Zain was born without his left forearm. is physically active. He walks, runs, jumps, goes up and down stairs independently. He confidently holds pencil, pen, and spoon and has well developed fine motor skills. He has excellent self-help skills. He can feed himself and go the bathroom without assistance. He likes children’s movies and tries to imitate the characters. He can write his letters while looking at them.

He can identify basic colors and can count to 10. He is participating in a prepatory school class this school year. He can talk but struggles with articulation. He interacts with his peers and with adults and shows a great desire to be more independent.
Complete medical records from March 2010 are available for review

As a mother of a child with a limb difference I know this is such an easy special need to deal with. Actually most parents of children with limb differences would tell you that their child can do anything that any other child can do. My son has one arm and NOTHING stops him.

To find out more about Zain and other waiting children just click here. There are also links on our right sidebar to children waiting in the US.

When adopting a child at any age, attachment and bonding should be topics that are taken seriously.  Attachment looks different at different ages, and is affected by the developmental stage that the child is in at the time.  There are hundreds of great resources on attachment.  Some examples include:


Adoption Resource Website
A 4ever Family



Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today's Parents


Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft

Connecting With Kids Through Stories: Using Narratives To Facilitate Attachment in Adopted Children (Kindle Edition)

 Below is a list of activities that could be used to help promote attachment and bonding with your newly adopted child. (younger children)  It is not a comprehensive list, and if your child is showing red flags as far as attachment goes, please seek the help of a family therapist and/or adoption expert. 

With younger children:

• Following baths, rub lotion on your child's skin.  Skin-to-skin contact is important.  Brush their hair. If they're old enough, allow them to brush your hair.
• If your child does not have good eye contact, place them in your lap facing away from you, but in front of a mirror.  This seems a safer route for them to look at you.  Make silly faces and see if they can mimic you.
• Blow bubbles for them.  As you draw the wand up to your mouth, this will encourage your child to look at you in the eyes.  
• Sing songs together.
• Instead of time outs, do time ins.  Have them sit quietly on your lap or near you.
• Play games across from one another.  This allows them to see your facial expressions and look into your eyes.
• Get down to their level to play.
• Roll a ball back and forth.
• Answer any need they have immediately.
• Play peek-a-boo.
• Carry them in a baby carrier as often as possible.

There are hundreds of activities that promote bonding and attachment.  Here, we highlighted just a few, and primarily for younger children.  Research is key when it comes to meeting, interacting with, and getting to know your child.

Do you have any activities that went well with your child?  Any that did not work, or that your child did not care for?

We're in this together!  Share your successes!