Fredericksburg Parent

22 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2018 ADOPTION IN VIRGINIA: THE GIFT OF FAMILY Years ago, when Judy Bingham first explored the idea of fostering, she really only envisioned welcoming one child into her home. That was, in fact, before she received a call from her local department of social services informing her that three siblings were in need. She still vividly recalls her husband waving his hands behind her whispering, "No, no!" The memory is something they all laugh about today as the proud, adoptive parents of those children from that fateful call. "We really didn't want these kids to become separated," Bingham said. "Now we can't imagine our lives without them." In Virginia, there are currently 4,800 children in foster care, more than 600 of which are permanently and legally separated from their birth parents. In Virginia, there are currently 4,800 children in foster care, more than 600 of which are permanently and legally separated from their birth parents. These children are waiting for safe, permanent homes with a loving family to call their own. Many misconceptions exist about the foster care and adoption process, but the facts remain that you don't have to be rich, own your home, or even be married to adopt in Virginia. Apart from time and energy, the most important requirement is that you are willing to provide a lifetime of love to a child so they may grow and thrive as adults. It's okay— and quite frankly, normal — if you've never considered adoption before. Some seasoned foster or adoptive parents will share that they always knew they would welcome an adopted child into their world, but many others can attest that sometimes the right timing and the right child find their way in to your life and alter your original path for the better.

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