A 34-Year-Old Single Man, Who Grew Up in Foster Care, Wants to Be the Father He Never Had

Parenthood is bliss, in whichever form you may experience it. This is the lesson Barry Farmer has to teach us. Growing up in foster care himself, Barry is a 34-year-old single dad who adopted 3 kids from the foster care system and made sure that, unlike him, they always had a father figure to look up to.

We at Bright Side are very happy that people like Barry exist in this world, and we’re honored to share his inspiring story with all of you.

Growing up in foster care

Barry grew up in kinship care with his grandmother, which, in his own words, is another form of foster care. Barry’s parents were unable to look after him, and that’s when his grandma, Cora, and her significant other (Tyson) took him in when he was only 5 years old. And as Barry said, there were some hard days, but also some good ones, as he was embraced by some amazing people in the community.

Barry’s grandma inspired him to adopt foster children.

Barry’s grandma always went the extra mile for him, and that’s what inspired him to adopt foster children. She took him in when he needed a home, and that act of pure and selfless love inspired Barry to open his heart and home to others like him.

In Barry’s own words, “There was no way I could pay her back but I do believe in paying it forward, so that’s what I’m doing with my sons. Offering them a second chance at having a family.”

The unique experience of being a father to 3 foster kids

In 2013, when Barry adopted his first child, Xavier, he was very nervous and, considering he was 22 at the time, it’s completely understandable. Still, he was confident that he could take good care of him.
Even though parenting was somewhat unpredictable, Barry had one goal — to be a father that was present. And Barry can proudly say he accomplished that.

He is the first person his sons see in the morning and the last one they see before going to sleep, and that means the world to him.

The challenge of raising 3 kids as a single dad

Barry knew the challenges that raising 3 kids as a single dad posed, but he took it one step at a time. He’d been working with kids most of his life, so taking care of his sons came quite naturally to him.

Barry admits that it’s not always rainbows and butterflies, but parenthood is indeed rewarding. His 3 sons are all grown up now. The eldest, Jackson is 19 years old, Xavier is 17, and Jeremiah is 11.

Even though Barry’s hands are full with his 3 young men at home, he’s still actively participating to help foster youth thrive. Today, Barry is a spokesman for Adopt Us Kids, creator of the largest online support group for Foster Care and Adoptive Families, and host of The Foster Care & Adoption Life talk web series.

Barry also hosts The Barry Farmer Morning Show, which is a nationally syndicated radio show based out of Richmond, Virginia.

Do you know other people whose act of kindness deserves to be heard all around the world? Share any similarly inspiring stories you might have with us and we might feature them in our next article.