Focus on Family: Foster Parents Share Their 5 Best Fostering Tips

Focus on Family

OhioGuidestone’s Foster Care program is kicking off its monthly Focus on Family feature, spotlighting a foster family each month. Some people make a difference in the world with grand gestures. Others, like Mary and “Boo” Board, change lives through quiet, unwavering love—one child at a time.

Since 1995, Mary and Boo have been fostering through OhioGuidestone, opening their home to over 50 children. But their story is more than just numbers. It’s a testament to the power of family, resilience, and the deep-rooted belief that every child deserves a place to belong.

A Family Tradition of Fostering

Fostering isn’t just something the Boards do — it’s part of their family legacy. Boo’s parents were foster parents, and several of his siblings followed in their footsteps, as did Mary’s sister, and later, the Board’s own son and daughter-in-law.

Their journey began with a little girl—a special needs child who was being fostered by Boo’s sister. Mary and Boo quickly formed a deep bond with her, but with their opposite work shifts, they were hesitant to commit to full-time care. Instead, they started by supporting their family members who were already fostering. But soon, the call to do more became undeniable.

Opening Their Home, Expanding Their Hearts

In the early years, Mary and Boo took in sibling groups of three or four at a time, ensuring brothers and sisters could stay together. Over time, their focus shifted toward children with medically fragile needs—those who required not only a safe home but also specialized care, patience, and unwavering support.

There have been challenges, of course. The hardest moments weren’t the long nights or the exhausting days—it was the worry: the wondering if the children they cared for would be okay, if they would find stability, if they would feel loved.

But for every hardship, there has been immense joy.

The Rewards of a Lifelong Connection

For Mary and Boo, the greatest reward has been staying connected with many of the children they fostered. Some send messages, some visit, and others have remained a lasting part of their lives.

This May, they will attend the high school graduation of their very first foster child — a baby they once held in their arms, who was later reunified with her birth family. Their bond didn’t end when she left their home. They built a strong relationship with her biological family, and in a moment of deep trust and gratitude, they were asked to become her godparents.

A Growing Family, A Lasting Impact

Beyond fostering, Mary and Boo have adopted four children of their own, watching their family grow in ways they never imagined. At times, they consider retiring from fostering, knowing they have already given so much. But then they remember—the children who still need homes, the ones who have nowhere else to go. As long as they are able, they will keep their doors open, because they know their love can make a difference.

Still, they recognize the importance of balance. Their roles as parents and grandparents matter deeply, and they are committed to being the best caregivers they can be for every child who walks through their door.

Wisdom for Future Foster Parents

After nearly three decades of fostering, Mary and Boo have learned invaluable lessons, and they share their wisdom with those just beginning the journey:

• Know your rights, roles, and responsibilities. Understanding the system helps foster parents advocate for the children in their care.
• Be a sponge. Absorb as much information as possible. Every experience is a learning opportunity.
• Treat each child as unique. No two children are the same. Approach each one with a fresh perspective and an open heart.
• Advocate fiercely. Be the voice for the children who need one.
• Build connections. A strong support system, both personal and professional, can make all the difference.

A Legacy of Love

Mary and Boo Board have given countless children a safe place to land, a family to love them, and a future filled with hope. Their legacy isn’t just in the number of children they’ve fostered — it’s in the lives they’ve shaped, the bonds they’ve built, and the love they’ve given without hesitation.

And as long as there are children in need, their hearts — and their home — will remain open.

If you would like more information about foster care and adoption, complete an inquiry and get started on your own foster care journey!

Check back in during May to see our next Focus on Family feature!