An Ideal Situation

A nun records a baby’s development. The baby is removed from the nursery.

Transcript

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January eleventh to September fifteenth, nineteen fifty three.

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Our Lady of Providence Nursery, Mary Olivia, birth date, December seventeenth, fifty-one, admission date, December twenty fourth, fifty-one. Talked fourteen months. Walked eleven and a half months. Fed self fourteen and a half months. Contagion date disease. January eleventh, fifty-three, chickenpox. Medical exams date, July fifteenth, fifty-three. Examined by Clelin Jorgensen Peterson. February 5th, 53. Seen by Dr. Bridgman. February 12th. Walks well. Sucks two middle fingers when tired or bored. Needs loving attention in generous amount, but can be quite independent.

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September 10, 1953. Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted accompanied the worker to Providence Nursery to visit David and Mary Bowman. Mary went to both Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted quite freely, but David, as usual, became frightened and cried, and tried to stay with the lady who cared for him at the nursery. Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted did not attempt to force themselves on David, but talked to him and played with Mary Olivia. After some time, Mr. Name Redacted picked David up, and although he cried a little at first, he finally settled down and seemed to be relaxed and did not tremble. Olivia is very independent, and although she will play with people, she does not particularly care to be held. Olivia will repeat words after people and does attempt to talk, although it is mostly gibberish. The name redacteds visited with the children for about an hour and a half, during which time the children adjusted very well to both of them, and at the time they were to leave, the children started to whine when they were put down, but since it was dinner time and all the other children were going to eat, they went into the dining room readily. The worker and the prospective foster parents watched the children through the glass, and Olivia pointed to the couple and then talked to the lady who was getting their dinner prepared for them, seeming to indicate that she recognized them.

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Mrs.

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Naymerdacted stated that they would like to have children of their own, but that they can have no more. For this reason, they would like to have a younger child as she is at home alone all day, and her husband prefers that she not work, so having the twins is an ideal situation for them.

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Mr.

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Naymredacted stated that he had been considering going to California to work as he can make more money there as a longshoreman than he can here, but that if he did get the twins, he would not plan to leave. He stated that he thought he would take a couple of days off to get acquainted with them if they were placed in their home. The twins will sleep in the bedroom with Mr. and Mrs. Naam Redacted, but will have a bed which they will share together. Mrs. Name Redacted stated that if they had the children for any length of time, they would get another bed so that each of the children would have their own. Both Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted seemed to have a great deal of understanding about the problem of children who have lived in institutions since birth, and they were very sympathetic and understanding toward Olivia and David. They stated that if possible, they would like to keep the children as long as they could, but of course they understood that the parents were living and that if it were necessary, they would give them up. September 15th. On this date, the children were moved to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted. When the foster parents arrived to take the children, David did not cry when he was picked up by Mr. Name Redacted, but Mary Olivia did not want to leave and cried and struggled to go back to sister. The worker gave Mr. Name Redacted the necessary information regarding medical and hospital care and informed him that there would be a new worker in charge of this case and gave him the number of our office to call in case of emergency. He was also given diapers and clothing for the twins, and a record of this is in the case, but it will be necessary to purchase other items as there were no coats for the children. Case transferred to another worker on this date. October 1st to October 30, 1953. We visited at the nursery prior to this time in order that we might know more about Olivia and David Bowman. We went upstairs to see the youngsters, and David remained under a bed during our visit. He seemed to be frightened of the people around him. At a later date, Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted came to the office and brought these youngsters with them. They told us they had obtained clothing for the children and could not wait until Miss Name Redacted or worker had time to have the clothing grants approved. They stated that the clothing sent by Providence was simply too thin. They showed us this, and actually it appeared to be so for the winter months. We told them we would check with our supervisor in regard to the situation. They told us to a question that both of the youngsters seemed to be quite at home, and Mr. G was particularly proud of David, who at the present time seemed to be very friendly, outgoing with worker, etc. Both of the children were dressed attractively in yellow sweaters and red pants. We also made one visit at the home during the first part of the month. Both of the twins seemed very much at ease and quite well adjusted there. Mrs. G said they do not give her any trouble, although they have their ups and downs. They seem to be like her own children, she said. Her husband seems to be particularly fond of both the youngsters and actually seem to take more active interest than most foster parents. November 1st to November 30th, 53. During this time, Mr. and Mrs. G have been in the office with the twins. The youngsters are adjusting very well in the home, and the G's are becoming quite fond of these children. We had a thorough discussion of the children's background as we know it, and tried to explain to them the basis upon which these children were placed in their foster home. Mr. and Mrs. G have evidently been quite threatened with the possibility that these youngsters might be removed at any time. We informed them that we had written to the Eastern Oregon State Hospital where the mother is receiving treatment, and that prognosis is not favorable. We have told them that we cannot promise that these children will remain in their home. However, it does not look as though the youngsters will be removed in the very near future. David continues to be more outgoing in personality and does not appear to be afraid of strangers, etc. We believe that Mrs. G herself is becoming more accustomed to having these children in her home and is at more ease with her own children because of this. It can easily be seen that both Mr. and Mrs. G are quite fond of these youngsters. When they come to visit the worker, the children are up and down their laps, receive kisses, hugs, etc., from the foster parents. We have prepared these persons for a change in workers. Case transferred to E. Hurley. It has been suggested that the new worker contact Dr. Name Redacted in the Corbett Building in order to obtain further information in regard to the father's background, etc. This doctor is a friend of Mr. Bowman's mother and was quite indignant when in the past the mother was contacted about the court hearing through the sheriff's office. It will probably have to be explained to him our interest in the children and why we need the information concerning the father, his new address, etc. See letter filed concerning diagnosis and prognosis of mother. December 1, 1953 to January 15, 1954. Summary. During this time, Worker visited the foster home twice and saw David and Olivia both times. Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted had the children in the office on one occasion. These children continued to get along well in the Name Redacted home, and both Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted were very fond of them. Both parents seemed to be warm in their attitude toward the children, and the children were constantly coming to them for affection and attention, and this did not seem to disturb the foster parents. On January 12, Mrs. Name Redacted phoned and asked that the children be removed from home, as Mr. Name Redacted was going to work in Long Beach, and she was planning to go back to work till such a time that he could find a place for them there, and then the family would move to California. As worker had no immediate plans for these children, they were placed in Providence Nursery on January 15, 54.

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February 10, 54. See social summary to Mr. Name Redacted, Juvenile Court and Home.

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March 4, 54. See letter from Mrs. Name Redacted Juvenile Court Counselor regarding the Bowman twins. May 19th. See Letter to Eastern Oregon State Hospital regarding Mrs. Bowman. May 24th, 54. C letter from Oregon State Hospital regarding Mrs. Bowman. May 26, 54. See letter to Mr. Name Redacted regarding planning for the Bowman Twins. Worker thought with Mrs. Name Redacted at the court, who stated that it would not be practical to bring the matter of the Bowman twins before the court until the mother had been in the state hospital for one year. Mrs. Name Redacted stated that usually the judge would not give a permanent commitment on the children until this length of time had expired. The court then will appoint a guardian ad letum for Mrs. Bowman, who will visit her at the state hospital to make her aware of the steps being taken in regard to the children who will represent her at the hearing, as this guardian is usually the legal advisor. Early in June, Worker arranged visits for Mrs. Name Redacted to the nursery to become acquainted with the Bowman twins. Mrs. Name Redacted went on three different occasions close together.

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Mr.

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Name Redacted was in the car, and Worker followed them to their own home. Both David and Olivia cried a great deal during the move, but when they arrived at the home, they settled down. The children did not wish to take off their coats or hats, and the name redacteds did not make any effort to have them do so. Mrs. Name Redacted explained later that eventually that evening they went for a ride, and when they came back, the children took off their coats and hats naturally. Since the Bowman twins have been placed, Worker visited the Name Redacted's home once. Mrs. Name Redacted stated that at first the children did seem to demand a great deal of attention and seemed to be exploring the home and underground constantly. Mrs. Name Redacted thought that the last two days things seemed to be leveling off a little. She mentioned that the children seemed to be less shy of the people who came to see them.

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Mrs.

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Name Redacted mentioned that she had had some difficulty with David with his toilet training. She stated that she put him on the pot, and as soon as he was taken off, he would dirty his pants. On checking with Providence, we learned from Sister that David had to sit on the pot for about a half hour, and it was usually good for him to have a toy to play with. We related this information to Mrs. Name Redacted.

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Ms.

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Name Redacted stated that the children had no difficulty with eating or sleeping. She stated that they did have a little arguments among themselves. Worker noticed that both the children seemed to be happy in their new home. They were both smiling and they made friends with worker. Mrs. Name Redacted stated that they loved to go for rides and that they took them for a ride almost each evening. Clothing was $9.70 for David, and $20.70 for Olivia, was approved, and Mrs. Name Redacted stated that she would purchase this and send the slips into the office. The clothing slip, which indicates the clothes given to the children by Providence Nursery, is in the record. Summary. July 1st to October 5th, 1954. During this time, Worker has visited the foster home four times and seen David and Olivia on each occasion. Mrs. Name Redacted reports that David and Olivia are doing nicely and are becoming more friendly and outgoing, and this is evident in seeing the children. The children are accepted by her family, and the Name Redacteds are very fond of them. For some time after David had been placed, Mrs. Name Redacted had had a difficult time in regard to his toilet training. Finally, Mrs. Name Redacted learned that as long as she was near, David would scream and yell while he was on the toilet and would refuse to use it. Mrs. C simply left him with a toy, and soon he learned that no amount of fussing would alter his situation again and that he could not bluff her into taking him off. Mrs. Name Redacted reported no further difficulty along this line. Mrs. C has stated that the children do seem to be very jealous of one another, and they are constantly quarreling and fighting. She stated that they have regular fistfights with one another and they always want the same thing in the line of toys, etc. Mrs. C has attempted to treat them both equally with the hope that some of this behavior will rescind. But to date the twins are very antagonistic toward one another.

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December 16, 54. See letter from Mrs.

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Name redacted from Pennsylvania. October 5, 1954, to January 15, 1955. Summary. During this time, Worker has visited the foster home twice and seen the twins on each occasion. Mrs. Name Redacted reports that both David and Olivia are getting along well in the home and that they are very fond of them. Mrs. Name Redacted stated that in the block they are in, they are thinking of tearing down the home so that they may be moving out toward Milwaukee in the near future. Mrs. Name Redacted thought that this move would be good as the children would have more space to play in and would be allowed more freedom if they were not near a busy street.

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Mrs.

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Name Redacted has one concern about David and Olivia: the fact that they do not get along well and are constantly fighting and jealous of one another. Mrs. C. reports that they have regular fistfights and that usually they give one another bloody noses on the average of twice a week. Mrs. C reports that unless they watch closely, Olivia is apt to bite David and at times has drawn blood. Mrs. C. reports that in order for Mr. Name Redacted to show David the attention necessary, Olivia has to be entertained in another part of the house because she becomes so jealous if Mr. Name Redacted plays with David. Worker talked with Mrs. Name Redacted about this and pointed out that any help these children could get in accepting one another and sharing so that they would not feel so hostile toward one another would certainly be beneficial to them. We mentioned that we thought perhaps Mr. Name Redacted should be able to show attention to David as well as to Olivia while they were in the same room. On the last visit Worker made to the home, David was playing with a suitcase, and the two children almost came to blows as Olivia attempted to take this away from him. Worker feels that this is quite a problem between the two children. Summary. January 15th to August 18th, 1955. During this time, Worker has visited the foster home five times and has seen Olivia and David on each occasion. David and Olivia continue to get along well in the home and well accepted by both Mr. and Mrs. Name Redacted. They present no grave problems in the home. Their biggest problem is still with each other in trying to get along together. Mrs. Name Redacted feels that Olivia is developing faster than David in the fact that she is more alert and more independent and quicker. David, on the other hand, is more babyish in his manner. Physically, Olivia has progressed much faster than David, and she is a good two inches taller than him and is larger in build. Actually, she appears to be at least a year older than David, and Mrs. Name redacted states: her performance is a year in advance almost.

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September 19, 55. Case transferred to M. Hartley.

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Summary. August 18th through December 29, 1955. During this time, Worker has visited the twins in the Name Redacted Foster home twice and seen Mrs. Name Redacted on both these occasions. The twins continue to adjust well in this home. They are not as hostile nor antagonistic toward each other as they were, but still argue quite a bit. They are somewhat jealous still, but this has decreased too. According to Mrs. Name Redacted, David is four and a half inches shorter than Olivia at this time. Although he seems to be healthy, Mrs. Name Redacted still feels that David is about a year younger than Olivia in many ways. He sucks his thumb at night some and wets the bed, whereas Olivia does not do these things. However, he has learned to blow his nose, and Olivia cannot do this by herself. These children appear to be happy, normal youngsters and are very friendly toward strangers and affectionate too. They respond to discipline, it seems. Mrs. Name Redacted states that when the two begin fighting over something, she separates them, and this is the most effective way of handling the situation, she feels. David seems to be more temperamental than Olivia, and shows this by having little temper tantrums. He scratches himself on his face when he is unhappy. See letter written to Eastern State Hospital, September 1955, giving prognosis of Mrs. Bowman. See letter from Mrs. Name Redacted, Aunt of Twins, December 16, 1955. These twins seem to be getting along well in this home. Worker questions, though, whether more permanent plans should not be made for them before they become any older. At this point, they know no other parents and feel that this is their home. However, Mrs. Name Redacted is expecting her third child in March, and Worker wonders if they might not want the children moved eventually because of this, although no mention was made by the foster mother at this time.