Beauty In Co-Parenting

BEAUTY IN COPARENTING

First-time Foster Parents and Their Story of Reunification

Samuel and Cynthia began fostering about a year ago. After years of infertility, they made the decision to open their home to kids in need of a safe and loving family. A month after they were licensed, they were asked to take in two siblings—a 2-year-old boy and a 9-month-old girl. When they came into the home, the children didn’t have much of a routine, and oftentimes the little boy had multiple tantrums a day. Yet little by little, the children started progressing.

“We were blessed to have the privilege of seeing the youngest child learn to walk and hit a major milestone in her life,” Cynthia shared. The children’s biological parents were mostly consistent with visiting them two times a week until COVID-19 hit. During quarantine, they continued visits by utilizing Zoom and from one day to the next, a judge approved their reunification.

Since then, the children’s biological mother has continued to maintain a relationship with the foster parents, texting photos and updates of the kids frequently. At one point, she even reached out for help with getting a sleeping routine down for the little boy. Cynthia and Samuel are thankful to have been able to see the kids twice since South Florida’s reopening.

“It’s worth the leap of faith because you get to see these kids grow up in your home and sometimes stay in touch even after they

leave. Goodbyes like this are not easy, but having our FAM volunteer team and attending the monthly support group has made a huge difference for us,” shared Cynthia.

Cynthia and Samuel are great examples of how foster parent can continue to co-parent with biological caregivers and extend love and support to not only the kids after they are reunified, but to their entire family.