Fostering and Adopting a Sibling Group of Teenagers

September 3, 2020 by master

Contributed by: Megan Summers-Faddis , Bair Foster and Adoptive Parent

We are the Faddis Family. 

On August 14, 2020, the Faddis family adoption was finalized. Sean, Amy, and Jada finally found their forever home with mom Megan Summers-Faddis, dad Paul, and their son Will.

In Megan’s Words

“I remember the first encounter at the shelter with our children. I was absolutely petrified; not because of their age but by the simple fact, did they think I was good enough to love them. Board games are a family favorite of ours and in that encounter we played Uno to break the ice; we quickly learned how competitive our kids were, much like us and what a great sense of humor they had.”

“We set out into our fostering journey with a mentality that the lesser our expectations were, the better off emotionally everyone would be.  I do not think anything can prepare you for fostering or adopting. We relied on therapists, fostering podcasts, reading materials, our social workers, friends, and family to navigate the waves of parenthood. With every step, we prayed that God would guide us through and he always did. I knew in my heart on the first day we met our kids, they were not ours, but God’s children and our job is to love and in times that fail, to pray, pick up the pieces, and keep loving them. “

Communicating and Building Relationships with Birth Family Members

“Even as teens, no kids should have to worry about “picking” between their foster family or biological family.  Paul and I still to this day ask about family members, speak with them, encourage the kids to remember the good times with them, pray for them, and if possible, to reach out to those individuals. I remind my kids that mom is still loved by Christ and we all fall short. Never say you won’t speak to her again because things change and circumstances change. We don’t see it as where adoption begins, their previous family ends- we always say, no matter what relationship they choose to have with their family; home is always here.” 

Why Foster or Adopt a Teenager?

Former Bair Director Miranda Bryant who worked with the Faddis family, stated, “It is so rare when we have a family that adopts teens, but it is even rarer to have a family that adopts a sibling group of 3 teenagers! I will say, these are some exceptional kids, but like any teen, they certainly have had their moments! The Faddis family however, has provided unconditional love and has stuck by these kids through thick and thin!” – Megan Summers-Faddis

As we all know, everyone needs a sense of belonging and you never outgrow the need for a family.

Thousands of teens in foster care are looking for the love, support, and encouragement that families provide throughout their lives. Through adoption, older children are connected to a family that can provide a sense of stability and guidance, help them with better decision making and encourage lasting, healthy relationships.

You can request no-obligation information about fostering and adopting a teen at The Bair Foundation here. You can find a list of office locations at www.bair.org/locations