They say that nobody feels empathy quite like someone who’s already been through a similar situation, and that’s certainly the case for this next story.
Robert Carter spent a considerable amount of his childhood in care, and his understanding and empathy towards other children in care led the selfless man to adopt five young foster siblings so they wouldn’t have to be separated.
Explaining his incredible decision to adopt the five children, Robert said:
“I understand how they feel. I understand what they went through, so it really touched me. I was already thinking about adopting all of the kids but when I saw them crying, I was like, “Okay, I’m going to take all five to keep them together.”
Robert was just 12 years old when he was placed into care, and after being split up from his siblings, he struggled with not knowing where they were and how they were doing.
In fact, the separation went on for so long, that he didn’t see his youngest brother for over 14 years.
Despite his difficult childhood, Robert still dreamed of having a family of his own one day, and in fact it was Robert’s traumatic childhood that fuelled his desire to adopt and give homeless kids a better life.
“I grew up in foster care, and I’ve always wanted kids,” he shared with People. “There’s too many kids in the world who need forever homes, so I figure I would adopt.”
Robert had previously been fostering Robert, Giovanni and Kiontae, with the sisters each in care of a separate foster mother, but the doting dad wanted to bring all the siblings together where they belonged.
The amazing man was the only person who was willing to take on all five of the siblings.
“Mr. Carter was the only foster parent willing and able to adopt all of the children,” Stacey Barton, an adoption worker with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (JFS), told Good Morning America.
“His childhood background has made him aware of the importance of keeping siblings together. He says that he enjoys being their father and that parenting them is easier than he could have ever imagined. His life is busy, with a lot of love, laughter, and loudness. I have enjoyed working with him and witnessing the children bond as siblings.”
Adopting five children is a huge deal, especially for a single parent like Robert.
But while he accepts that there will naturally be times of struggle, Robert cherishes every moment he gets to spend with his children in his newly bustling house.
And while his home may be nosier and his pockets might be emptier, Robert couldn’t be happier that he has been able to keep the five siblings together. He knows just how difficult being in foster care can be, and he makes sure that his children are able to come to him whenever they want to.
He told WLWT: ‘Every night I talk to them and let them know, “I’m your dad forever. I know what it’s like and I’m always here for you.”
What a selfless man. We want to share our congratulations to the beautiful family, and we can’t wait to see what fun they get up to as the children grow! You can follow their antics over on the family’s Instagram account.
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