In chapter one, during the sharing of feelings time, Jonas's father tells his family of a new child he is worried about. The baby hasn't developed as he should by this point in his young life and the Nurturing Committee is thinking about releasing him. Jonas's father is thinking about asking the committee if he can try to improve the little boy's sleeping patterns and weight by bringing him home for special nurturing time at nights. Lily asks if they could probably keep him and Mother jumps in with, "You know the rules. . . Two children--one male, one female--to each family unit. It was written very clearly in the rules" (8). Since the family can't adopt him, they may be able to help him through a probationary time if Jonas's father gets permission by the committee.
Once father does get permission by chapter six, there are some rules attached to the responsibility. The baby, Gabriel, is first labeled uncertain. Then each family member, even Lily, must sign a document and pledge that he or she will not become attached to the baby during the year's reprieve. Finally, when it comes time to assign him to another family, each person in Jonas's family must agree the he or she will not appeal the action or protest in any way. Once everyone is on board and in agreement, Gabriel is allowed to come home with father each night for one more year.
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