(Posted 2026 May)
Ms. R. has been an approved Fairfax County resource (a.k.a. foster) parent since 2020. During that time, she has cared for children as a foster parent and as a respite parent, providing very short-term care. From the beginning of her fostering journey, Ms. R. navigated change and uncertainty with grace and kindness. She was initially approved during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic altered the lives of foster families in many of the same ways that it altered the lives of other members of our community.
Soon after Ms. R. was approved, Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption placed a two-year-old girl in her home. Ms. R. had initially hoped that she would foster a child who was much closer to the age of her own daughter. However, when she heard that DFS had this need, she embraced the child with open arms. Ms. R. spent a great deal of time and energy preparing her home for this young person.
Overnight, she transformed her home from a townhouse without toys to a townhouse with age and developmentally appropriate toys and activities. Because the child who was placed with Ms. R. had experienced neglect, her basic needs had not been met. As is usually the case, this neglect manifested into challenging behaviors by the girl, both at home and at day care. Although Ms. R. held a very demanding job, she gave the child the care and attention she needed. This dedication resulted in a chronic sleep deficit for Ms. R., but she was willing to make the sacrifice to help the child move forward.
Despite giving so much care and attention to her foster daughter, Ms. R. initially experienced skepticism from the child’s relatives. She met this skepticism with kindness and made herself available to drive the youth to the border of another state so that the youth could go for approved overnights with her relatives. Eventually, the youth was placed with a relative and Ms. R. continued to be an active part of her life. Eventually when the relative adopted the little girl, they made Ms. R a permanent part of the family by naming her as the child’s godmother.
Ms. R. loves playing a supportive role with her goddaughter and now she is the one hosting overnights with her to give the family some respite care. In addition, the child’s family appreciates it when Ms. R. brings her on trips that she takes with her daughter and her current foster daughter. These girl trips allow Ms. R. to give back to her community and to continue to be a loving influence in the lives of these girls. This world is a far brighter place because Ms. R. decided to take it upon herself to better the lives of children and families who need a bit of a helping hand.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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