Book Review: A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time by Rob Scheer

A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time by Rob Scheer
Publisher: Gallery/Jeter Publishing
Release Date: November 6, 2018
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Publisher’s Description:

Rob Scheer never thought that he would be living the life he is now. He’s happily married to his partner and love of his life, he’s the father of four beautiful children, and he’s the founder of an organization that makes life better for thousands of children in the foster care system.

But life wasn’t always like this.

Growing up in an abusive household before his placement in foster care, Rob had all the odds stacked against him. Kicked out of his foster family’s home within weeks after turning eighteen—with a year left of high school to go—he had to resort to sleeping in his car and in public bathrooms. He suffered from drug addiction and battled with depression, never knowing when his next meal would be or where he would sleep at night. But by true perseverance, he was able to find his own path and achieve his wildest dreams.

Poignant, gripping and inspiring, Rob’s story provides a glimpse into what it’s like to grow up in the foster care system, and sheds necessary light on the children who are often treated without dignity. Both a timely call to action and a courageous and candid account of life in the foster care system, A Forever Family ultimately leaves you with one message: one person can make a difference.

Before Rob Scheer met his wonderful husband, he endured abuse and abandonment as a child and teenager which segued into an abusive relationship as an adult. It’s amazing that he turned out to be not only a functioning adult but a loving parent with a generous spirit.

I chose this book because my family is also transracial and my daughter was adopted through the foster care system. I like reading stories of the journeys that other foster parents and transracial families have taken. This book is that and more. It alternates between flashbacks of Rob’s heartbreaking past to his relationship with his husband Reece – the most patient man in the world – and how they came to be foster and later adoptive parents. While I wish Rob discussed more about the challenges of raising children of a different race, I enjoyed reading this book.

I think one of the reasons that Rob wrote A Forever Family was to draw awareness to Comfort Cases, the charity he founded. They provide foster children with a duffel bag or backpack filled with essentials that a child needs their first night with a foster family – toiletries, pajamas a book and more. What a great idea! Our daughter came to us with her things in garbage bags which is not uncommon and can make a child feel like garbage, like they are being thrown away. A couple of the children we fostered before our daughter came with nothing at all. At the end of the book, there is information on how to donate items to or volunteer for Comfort Cases.

A Forever Family is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Recommended.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for review.)