A Philadelphia mom, whose husband died in a motorcycle crash several years ago, opted to become a foster parent to no fewer than six kids—until the court recently approved their adoption.
Bobbie-Jo Floyd, 46, was bereft after her husband Andre’s fatal crash on October 19, 2014.
Her home “felt empty” and she considered the possibility that caring for more kids would restore some meaning to her life, she told The Epoch Times.
It turned out, she was right.
About a year after Andre’s passing, Bobbie-Jo applied to become a foster mom.
Then, on the second anniversary of his death, she and her sons, Jeremai and Elyjah, were releasing balloons into the air at Penn’s Landing in honor of Andre’s memory—when she got the call.
It was child welfare asking her if she would foster two siblings. Readily, she agreed without a second thought.
When the case workers arrived at her home with sisters Destiny, 11, and Serenity, 7, they were also accompanied by their 9-year-old brother Lysander.
The new additions totally transformed the mourning family’s life.
The once-somber home became lively again, with her added responsibilities as a parent mending her trauma.
“I never did really get over the pain, I just became really busy, and realizing I wasn’t crying as much because I was so busy with the children,” she told The Epoch Times.
Nor was this the end of Bobbie-Jo’s parenting journey.
She later learned of three other children in foster care, became fixated on providing them a home, and convinced the court and social workers of her capability to provide care for them.
All of which was allowed to move forward.
This arrangement was recently made permanent when the court approved the children’s adoption. They then assumed her last name.
Bobbie-Jo shares her personal insights in raising her children: being very truthful and honest with them is her philosophy, and it has played a vital role in establishing a bond with them.
She advises other women hoping to become foster moms to be ready for emotional and financial tolls, adding that consistency, unconditional love, and structure are the keys to successful matches.
