When you said that after reunification you will still be involved in Miss A's life, it made me think of a friend of mine. She and her husband fostered a teen girl and her preschooler brother. The kids' grandma was still involved with the kids, but when the parent could not successfully meet the goals and the plan switched to permanency the grandmother did not feel she could take custody of the preschooler because of her age, health, etc. She took custody of the teen and my friend adopted the preschooler. They are still very involved in each other's lives, and consider each other extended family. At one point the grandmother had some major health issue and she asked my friend to temporarily foster the teen again, which they did until the grandmother was well enough. That fluidity and trust should be the goal of ALL the adults, in a perfect world.

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful story to share, thank you

@NAVYCTMADAMS

4 жыл бұрын

Wowza! Just found your channel and loving it! You are incredible people

Definitely have noticed how much more comfortable and vocal miss A has become. I would love to see a voice over

@ohitsmimi096

4 жыл бұрын

I was just thinking that. She seems so much more confident and it’s awesome to “see”/hear her grow. We’re so proud of you miss A🖤🖤

@selinametalslasha

4 жыл бұрын

Laura Hamm this for sure.

I think it’s really sweet that Miss A knows no matter where her journey takes her, she will always have a home wherever it is. I love that you have a relationship for her family too. Hoping for unification!!! Sending lots of love you to you guys! **edited to add-I love the voiceover idea!**

The KZread algorithm decided over a year ago I needed to learn about your family and I remember ’meeting’ Miss A. It’s been awesome learning about foster care and seeing your journey. Thanks for sharing!

Reunification happened for me 20 years later, in a prison. My dad is incarcerated and by all standards unfit to be responsible for children. But I know that he loves me like no one else on this earth and that he is the best dad he can be. And he's the best dad I could ever want-- my dad has his demons but he is awesome. And my other dad-- the dad who took me in-- is still 100% my dad. I call them both "dad." My non-bio dad is the dad who raised me and I am thankful for him and I confide in him every day. I went from having no parents to 3 parents. The beauty of fostering, adoption, and reunification is that it's an "and" not an "or."

@BeTheVillageCommunity

3 жыл бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

“Did you think she was extra?” “Way to throw me under the bus!” 😂😂😂

I can’t believe it’s already been a year! I remember when she just arrived and the caseworker said how she likes “expensive hair” but y’all only had to give her the “basics”. YIKES. Miss A is a human being and deserves to be treated with love, kindness and respect. Especially since she’s just a child and so vulnerable far away from her family. Money wise of course everything within reason but that’s just not how you talk about a child! And then the rush to get her to kinship care which didn’t seem in her best interest. I’m so glad the both of you are on Miss A’s side 100% and always out there protecting her best interests because the system is clearly not. Vulnerable kids need someone who is on their side and who will always be there for them.

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Agree. To clarify, the rush to kinship was with our first placement :)

I’d love to see a video of miss A reacting to the first video. Miss A is so outgoing. She is so comfortable with you guys, seeing her journey is absolutely amazing

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

First vote!

@freethegays

4 жыл бұрын

Second it!

@OurJourneyHasBegun

4 жыл бұрын

@@BeTheVillageCommunity Yes please do this video!!!

@Mylady911

4 жыл бұрын

I’d love to see this too

@jessicamaddox4968

4 жыл бұрын

Third vote!!!!

Its sweet that miss A wants to still be connected still when she goes home. And she wants to see the kids grow up. Bless yalls heart abd your journey. ❤

I think something else many people don't realize is that, even when the goal is adoption, it's still in the child's best interest (minus exceptions) to support their family. It just looks different. When adopting, it's still good for the child to have a relationship with their first family (within whatever boundaries are safest). Even if they don't have a continuing relationship with their first family, they still need their adoptive parents to honor their background and history and not talk negatively about their family.

I gotta be honest, I had to go back and rewatch some of it bc I got distracted by the bird house 😂😂😂

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

I don’t blame you... I was wondering if people would notice

A voice over video with Miss A’s perspective a year later would be interesting if she’s willing to share it.

LOVE that you mentioned non binary kids and the different possibilities with gender! I have LGBTQ+ friends who aren’t accepted by their bio families, seeing accepting and knowledgeable foster parents makes me so happy!

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

I would love a voiceover just by Miss A it's she's up for it. She must have the most unique perspective and I bet it'd be interesting for us all.

also GO SAWYER, he'll always have this wonderful big sister in his life.

I subscribed to your channel when I saw your video about bringing her home. Crazy that it's been a year!

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for being with us through it all

My best friend and her brother grew up in the foster care system, and unfortunately their experiences were overwhelmingly negative and they experienced a lot of neglect and abuse. I wish with all my heart they could have had a foster family as loving, open-minded and supportive as yours. Thank you for being part of the change we so desperately need within the system ❤️

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

My heart breaks for them, and all of the kids who have bad experiences. We need more good families and we need to fix the system.

@nomis9913

4 жыл бұрын

Be The Village Absolutely. It was the stories my best friend told me and the things I saw firsthand in their last foster home (from which they were eventually removed, thankfully) that made me determined to become a foster mom when I’m older. My mom also works closely with lots of young foster children for her job, and she’s told me similarly heartbreaking stories about foster parents she’s encountered who speak horribly of their foster children in front of them, dress them in clothes and shoes far too large, favour their bio kids and even other foster children, etc. The system is so, so flawed 😔

Reaction video with voice over: YES PLEASE. I have been here pretty much since you started your channel. I was working a summer kids reading program in Hawaii when you did your first Q&A. Whitney, you have become a lot more natural on camera - a lot less "explain-y" LOL. And you have made your channel (almost) more informational about foster care then my initial impression - which is awesome! I love that you talk about the serious, behind-the-scenes stuff like issues with the case workers, problems with connecting with siblings as well as all the awesome and fun stuff. Miss A, It warms my heart to know that WHEN you are reunited, that you will stay in touch with Whitney and John. I think its cute that you want to watch Sawyer grow and be a 'big sis' for Darcy.

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for acknowledging the growth

You made what could have been a very difficult situation into a loving supportive environment until she can go home. ❤️

Miss A can now shine her light and verbalize what she needs now! She has healed enough to shine in self love. You have all done amazing work towards reunification. Well done.❤️

I’ve been here the whole time Miss A has been with you. I love all of you guys. I’m so thankful that whenever Miss A leaves she will leave with 2 families in her life. ♥️

I remember watching Ms. A's arrival video as I started becoming curious about fostering... I start foster parent training next week. :)

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

This is why we share our journey!! THANK YOU!

You guys are wonderful people ❤️

I love watching your channel, you seem like such genuine people.

You guys are so loving 🥰

You all are awesome, the struggles and challenges you face with foster are real. Your videos bring back so many memories and events through all our foster days! My heart goes out to you and miss A. ❤️🙌

You guys are doing an awesome job!

You are amazing foster parents.. I feel like you are a blessing to Ms.A and Ms.A is a blessing to you!

I would very much like to see/hear Miss A do a voice over of the early videos! And because I can imagine adults aren't the only ones watching the videos you post, if she's comfortable, I think it'd be nice to see a video where it's just her (blurred or behind the camera of course), talking about what's important for kids to remember, that it's ok to be upset, that what they're feeling is valid, and it's ok to feel what they're feeling, that it's ok to ask questions, etc.

I started watching you right before Miss A came into your home, wow that year went fast! I would love a reaction video from her as I always enjoy her commentary, the girl cracks me up!! So happy to hear you plan on being in each other lives for the long haul! 💕

Crying happy tears!! Y’all are amazing and so is miss A

How blessed you are to have her and she to have your family!

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to see how far she has come in your home

I can’t believe it’s been a year! Thanks for sharing. Sending love and some extra for Miss A! ❤️❤️

You two are awesome, and Miss A is so lucky to have you! Bless you both!

It’s been amazing following y’all along in your journey!! You’re incredibly inspiring. Thank you for sharing with us ❤️

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

And thank you for watching ❤️

I can’t believe a year already and yes we ❤️ our miss A. Like you said we have been here on her whole journey.

Wow the relationship between your family and miss A is absolutely wonderful. It's so nice to hear her thoughts and how terrifying it would be. Thank you so much for sharing all your videos with us. I definitely want to become more involved in foster care when I'm older. Thank you

I love watching your journey with Miss A! The voiceover idea is great!!

You all obviously really care and foster for the right reasons and that is why I love you're videos.

Good luck with the reunification meeting! So glad that you will be striving to stay connected

I’m sooo glad that she feels comfortable with you guys! I also love that you are doing foster care. There’s definitely a need for foster care here in my hometown.

I started watching you guys shortly after Miss A came! That's crazy!

Can’t Believe it’s been a year. Thank you for all you do!!

I subscribed when I saw the video of Miss A arriving around the time it was released! What a year, I’m really glad Miss A has found a home in your home!

Thank you for sharing this journey :) you all are amazing!! Miss A is lucky to have you and you are lucky to have her :) God bless!!!!

I love this channel! Mom & Dad are truly good genuine ppl! Miss A is so sweet too💗 PS I love love love the thumbnail and into! 😍Everyone looks so good! I love Miss A's hair!😍

I so LOVE your opening video. Especially when you and your hubby look at each other. The love you have as a couple is INCREDIBLE!!!! Your connection to each other just drips all over the screen. You r SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE your channel. What AMAZING parents you are!!!! I'm amazed at all the things you've done to nurture Miss A, and how you support her, no matter what. There are SO MANY foster families that just do it for the money, like when you were trying to arrange a sibling visit, and all the other foster parent could talk about was loss of the daily stipend. SO SAD!!!!

In TX our process is 1 year. I discovered y'all just prior to Miss A coming into y'alls lives. I can't believe it's been this long. I enjoy seeing y'alls journey.

I’m so happy the KZread algorithms threw you at me back then & that I’ve been learning from you. I just got another alert for urgent foster families being needed in South Florida & this will likely be in my future, although after Covid as my job is too demanding right now. Thanks for all the sharing throughout the last year!

It's a great honor to take care children may help because families are not doing well I just. For whatever reason it's in troubles in their lives at this time. Make them feel your part or their family will be the best for you. I know my wife and I adopted 7 from the state where weAdopted 5 siblings for girls one boy then we adopted 2 boys. That was 15 years ago. Now we have 14 grandchildren.

Been watching your guys channel for about a year now & I’m so grateful for people like you ❤️ foster child of 9 years and it’s so good to see such amazing foster family’s who truly care. Keep being great!!

I first came across you channel when you posted your first video about Miss A. It’s crazy to me that it’s been a year! You guys honestly inspire me. You guys have such a positive attitude even during these difficult times ! Miss A is very lucky to have you guys as foster parents!

I started watching a couple of weeks after Miss A started living with you!

Wow this is such a great video! You guys are doing SUCH a good job & miss A seems like she really loves you guys! I’ve always thought about being a foster parent when I get older but following you guys on your journey has 100% made me want too. You guys are really making a difference, never forget it. ❤️

First video of yours, I think. Your wonderful human beings, and your intro was beautiful, teared me up

Definitely a voice over 👌 so much love for your family from Australia 🇦🇺💕 I just love that you’ll all be a family still no matter where Miss A lives ❤️❤️

I started watching your channel just after yoir first placement had left. Whitney has become so much more comfortable with the camera since then. We all love Ms. A and the relationship that you all have built with each other. I think it is wonderful that she knows no matter what happens she will always have someone on her side that she can turn to if she needs to even after she is reunified with her family. If that doesn't happen god forbid she also knows that she has a loving hime with people that would adopt her and still allow her to see her biological parents and siblings, I think that is very important just for her mental wellbeing. You huys are such wonderful people with such big hearts. Hugs to all.

Yes, love the video reaction idea!

I would love to see that video!

bless you and bless Miss A. I love the open adoption thing, and also she's smart. Also what wonderful parents, to know how she's in the best place for now. But also to know, these people see the good in me. And always will.

It’s crazy how far she’s come! As a 15 year old myself who’s moved before, Ik all the challenges of moving schools and starting over so I understand where she’s coming from. But over the past year, the biggest thing I’ve noticed is how y’all have grown on her. It’s so sweet that she wants to be there and watch sawyer grow up (they have the sweetest bond btw). When reunified...she will leave with not one but two families and her heart bigger than ever. And Miss A... I wish you nothing but happiness in this world. Keep laughing, smiling, and dancing and you are bound to change this world. It’s been one year and you have already touched so many hearts. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for the future. Love y’all ❤️

Miss A has been with you a full year already wow

I seriously hope that she can be reunified with her bio family. ♥️

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Same!

This is so interesting and reflective!

I came here immediately after seeing the video of when Miss A first came. These are the first 2 videos I've watched on your channel. Love to see so immediately the progression of your relationship and everything over a year. ❤

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

How beautiful! Thank you so much for jumping in and following our journey. We love our villagers. Welcome to the Village

Wow. It’s been a year. The very first video I watched was when miss A came. And I have been hooked since. I absolutely love y’all. Y’all just seem so genuine and real. I can’t wait to keep watching!

Too funny! Last summer I found your channel and had also started watching Stranger Things at the same time!! Have loved following your year and your inspiring family!

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

Great family

A voice over would be awesome. I would love to hear Miss A’s journey in her words.

i can’t believe it’s been one year

Do the voice over! I started watching your videos about a year ago. I was going up foster care and adoption videos and came across your videos. I love the relationship y’all have with Miss A and she loves Sawyer 🥰

I kept in touch with a few of my foster families until our lives just casually separated as they do sometimes. But the love you two have for Miss A just melts my heart 100000%. Every child in her situation needs that love so badly. It really really helps them keep faith in people.

I adore how much you protect, respect, and support not only Miss A, but her entire family. Your words are always so careful, gentle, and understanding. It's obvious that the common goal of what's best for Miss A (which is reunification in her situation) is and will always be your main focus. Hopefully that has helped others understand that families who have children in care are not automatically "bad" but instead that circumstances happened within the family. How sweet that Miss A's family views you as a blessing in her life! I can only imagine that that could be difficult to say given the situation, but it's great for Miss A that they see that you aren't the "bad guys." (There are no "bad guys", just many people trying to do what's best for the kids involved. When Miss A does go home to her family, will you still be able to provide us with updates on her? (clearly while still respecting her privacy, of course!) We want to be cheering her on from afar when she graduates, gets a job, and kicks butt at all the goals she sets for herself, too! Absolute yes to the idea of Miss A doing a voiceover reaction!! (Also, it made my heart happy to hear you mention the possibility of a non-binary foster child. Ain't nobody got time for anything but inclusivity, equality, and love these days!)

This was great. Very honest.

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

❤️

Yes to the voiceover!!

Yes show that video u r talking about. U r worth it‼️

I am so excited that I found this channel! My husband and I watch Cincinnati Picker! Amazing family ♥️

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the other side 💛

I remember that was my first video watching of you guys dang time flies by fast

You guys got me addicted to " The Fosters". I have already binge watched season one and am well on my way into season 2. It's included with Amazon Prime.

@alifelesstravelled3117

4 жыл бұрын

I hope Miss A's family can be reunited soon.

I love how respectful you are of Miss A's privacy, while still giving her the chance to speak about her experiences from her viewpoint if she wants to. You never show her face and never speak about any sensitive issues. You all clearly have a good connection, which is evident in the smiles and humor from both sides. Plus you are all very likable. I want to foster teenagers one day, but we don't have the room until our oldest moves out, unless we move to a bigger house. You seem to have the same attitude about it as we have. We would want to foster temporarily, with reunification as the goal, but be open to a permanent placement with us or adoption if the situation changed. Where I live, kids can be placed in permanent foster care, which is almost like adoption, so they stay with the same family until they're 18, or even longer. Sometimes kids might not want to be adopted, even though they have a permanent placement with a foster family. It depends on the situation and I feel like when they are old enough, it would be best if they could have a choice. Our country (Iceland) is very small (only ca 380K people) and there's only one city, so it's relatively easy to keep in touch with everybody. A friend of mine has had several teenage foster children and not adopted them formally, but they are still a part of her family as if they had been. For them, it's kind of like having two families, like when parents get divorced and remarry. The former foster kid's children call them grandma and grandpa, spend birthdays and Christmas with them, etc. but the foster children are still able to do the same with their birth family. I think that's great. I hope you guys can keep in touch like that after Miss A is reunified with her birth family.

I can’t believe it’s been a year!! I remember watching the video the night before you met miss a. Wow. Time flies.

From the first time I stumbled upon your channel, I realized you all were going to make a positive difference in Miss A's life. I LOVE the LOVE. WAY TO GO. There us nothing better than feeling like you not the problem and that you are WANTED. You guys are amazing, and Miss A will be better for it!! I pray the reunifaction happen and you all keep in touch. That would be wonderful!! 💜 💜. Keep up the great work!! 💜

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

i’ve been here since either right before or right after miss a got placed with y’all and your channel was so small! I’ve always wanted to be a foster parent when i get older (i’m only 16 lol) because i see how many kids that should be just like me have it way worse than they deserve and i want to save anyone i can from that. watching y’all’s channel and family grow together has been really beautiful and i hope to continue!

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!

Thank you for being aware of non-binary folk. A non-binary child in foster care has SO much going on. Having foster parents who are aware of the concept of non-binary would be such a relief to them!

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, I just hope those kids end up in the right home

@thebestwillow

4 жыл бұрын

@@BeTheVillageCommunity can you specifically say you are happy to have them?

I just went back and watched the video when Miss A first came into your home. I've noticed this before in other videos, but I love that Whitney's accent has changed slightly since Miss A got there. She has started talking more like Miss A. I love it! It shows how much you have connected with her! Also, I would love the voice over!

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Ha! It also may be that I've just gotten more comfortable being authentic and my true self on camera :) But yes! I see myself talking "teen" more often lol.

Oh I definitely would like to see miss Ashley reaction to the video now!

Yes to voice over!

Yes on the voice over!!!

Yes! Would love to see a reaction video with Miss A's voiceover!

Bless you both ... Yes do a voice over.

Wow. I started watching at the first video where Miss A came to stay with you. Wow. Time flies

I would love to hear Miss A's reaction! Also, you guys are some of the most respectable and inspiring foster parents in regards to advocating for the CHILD and not yourselves and being so communicative. Thank you!

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Coming soon!

I subscribed to your channel last June right around the time your first placement left. My spouse and I had just signed up for foster care training and while we were waiting until the end of July 2019 to start, I started looking for foster parents that were like us and I found you all. It's so funny because a year ago I was just such a fan of y'all's and now we are actually friends 🧡💜

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Heck yes we are

I’ve been following this journey so closely that I honestly can’t even remember if I truly found you guys a year ago when Miss A first came into your lives or if I found you later and just binged from her arrival to present day lol All I know is this is a beautiful thing that you’re doing 💜

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Chloe!

I would luv a voice over. I have been with you guys since Miss A frist came to live with yas. So glad you all have such a good relationship. It's hard on both sides. You all have been so good to each other and for each other. Hav a good nite all🌛

Great idea John. Ms A doing a reaction video would be so awesome.

Yes I want to see that

Thank you for saying reunification. I think that the public usually hears "foster to adopt", but its so great to have a family to look up to that understands that is not the goal. Also I am happy that I can continue to watch you after a year. You have never exploited Miss A's life for views, or pushed religion, or essential oils.

@BeTheVillageCommunity

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Doing a voice over would be awesome perspective on Miss A's point she's comfordible with your family wow 1 yr with u all that's crazy