Foster Care Room Makeover and Tour

[@cattabyss]

we really got to hear miss A's side of things, which was so interesting when we have only heard your side. to hear that your decorations, your little gestures, really did cheer her up. I started tearing up when she said something like, "I was all sad and then I saw this and it made me smile," in regards to her happy thoughts book. seriously I be on the edge of blubbery. 😭 you guys are amazing, whitney, and John- thank you for sharing this incredible part of your life with us.☺️

[@didistutter8417]

Miss A is such a positive and thankful person.

[@DaniDani-fx5qq]

To other foster parents watching...take notes from this family. They have shown love, bought some extras to make Miss A feel more at home and in return she appears to be doing really good. They really are providing Miss A with a home away from home!!

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

You are so kind ❤️ we think miss A’s voice is having an impact on foster parents so that everyone can hear directly from her experience!

[@strawberry8099]

I'm hopefully going to be fostering when I'm older and I'm really taking into note of things with this. this channel is so positive and makes my heart happy.

[@poiipoii1311]

A white fluffy rug would look SUPER cute as a nice texture

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Great idea!!! Let me check amazon now :)

[@cloooo_]

and some fairy lights 🥰

[@kelly1827]

I think if I were Miss A's foster mom I'd feel so privileged. She seems like a really terrific person despite her situation. After reunification I hope you all are able to maintain a relationship.

[@messyjessy90210]

“Y’all set it up for me, period” lmaooo she sounds JUST like my cousin 😂

[@Kirsten_is_cursed10]

My heart just about exploded when she said that was her dream room. What a sweetheart! That positive attitude is going to take her far in life 😊

[@whitney2042]

Same!! Especially when she kind of gushed how everything matched.

[@AlexiusDenelle16]

Miss A’s natural hair looks so healthy and so thick 👏🏾👏🏾.

[@anastasiavalentinafox]

I'm willing to be adopted by you guys, just let me know. Thanks.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

We need more bedrooms!!

[@anastasiavalentinafox]

@@BeTheVillageCommunity I'm willing to sleep in a tent, in the yard.

[@linnlinnfantage5967]

Anastasia Fox agreed

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

🤣

[@violette8715]

@@anastasiavalentinafox I will sleep in the trash can smh

[@somedude172]

my dad kicked me, my mom, my brother, and all our animals out when i was 16, and we had to move in with my grandma. she did her best to make us feel welcome, but at the end of the day, we were sleeping in the living room, had no privacy, no space, etc. now, my mom lives with her bf and my brother moved back in with my dad, but i still live in my grandparents' living room, and it sucks. i imagine it was really nice to go through all that with getting rehomed (which is SO stressful) and being able to come to a new home that's very obviously out in extra time and effort to give you your own space, and one thats comfortable and well decorated at that. in those moments, its the little things like that that count in all honesty

[@jessicawright605]

I love the “miss A” letters

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

That was from a viewer!

[@histarfish]

The room looks great. Miss A has a great personality.

[@mandych715]

I love how you treat her like your own. It's not just you get what you get and be grateful for it because you are a foster kid at your house. I love that you want her to make her room her own. It's so great that she can feel that this is her home and not just a temporary place to stay. You are forever impacting her life. ❤️❤️❤️

[@melodym3703]

I stayed at one foster home and they left it plain. Just a dresser and a bunk bed for my sister and I. Went back to my long term home and it was so relieving to be able to decorate it as my own.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

💔

[@fosterfam2563]

I love this! It's special when you're able to personalize rooms for children no matter how long they stay in your home. That's what I like to do, no matter how long they stay, I want to make sure they are comfortable. I loved when Miss A was helping with the beds and making it her own. Love it!

[@olive324]

It’s really nice to hear that she feels comfortable having sleepovers and having friends over. I have a close friend in the foster system and she’s always a bit ashamed of her living situation and doesn’t want people to come to her foster home. So it’s just good to hear that miss a feels able to do that :)

[@VectorRabbit]

Aww man, Miss A is the kind of kid I would have wanted to be friends with in school. She's so funny!

[@GracieBumblebee]

KerrieBerrie me too! She has such a bubbly, kind,and calming personality

[@musictothesoul4life]

Awww, it is a beautiful room, but to hear how grateful she is for everything makes me tear up.

[@VibeWithGiGi]

OMG! Put me back in care so you guys can be my foster parents! I’m 30 now, LOL! But I feel if I just got ONE family like you guys I would’ve never been placed 90+ times and gone through all I did. You guys are AMAZING!!

[@ginabeana9040]

I'm 29 now and feel the same way

[@beautywearsboots6458]

Duvet covers are a great affordable alternative to buying multiple comforters for all the different placements you could have. It's also so much easier to clean a duvet cover regularly than to stuff a comforter in the washer all the time. There are lots of affordable options on Wayfair and Amazon

[@oaige]

Ikea has lots too!

[@Surdeigt]

I find it so weird, whenever I travel outside my country I can some times only get like a blanket to cover me at night. I have grown up in a country where everyone has a duvet and we change the duvet covers once a week. I would never sleep in the same covers for more than two weeks. It doesn't seem like this is the same in America? Am I wrong?

[@beautywearsboots6458]

@@Surdeigt my mother's response to this would be that the bed spread or comforter doesn't directly touch your skin, so it doesn't have to get washed as often, maybe once a month. The sheets, however, are what touches your skin and should be washed once a week. My answer is get a duvet!

[@clothyoriginal]

Yeah here we only use duvets too but we also use top sheets to keep the covers clean too but the covers still get dirty, the sheets don't always stay in place so I still think its kinda icky to only have a comforter that doesn't get washed too often. Washing the actual duvet though is next to impossible though.

[@Surdeigt]

BeautyWearsBoots how doesn't the comforter touch your skin?

[@stevielee88]

So glad miss a is happy!

[@clodaghscott7220]

A mum and teen relationship to the T, ah dont cry, no stop, duhh of course. Great video! Gorgous room :)

[@MindfulMya]

Awww so sweet! Honestly, as a therapist what you are doing for her providing a notebook and having that available to her is amazing...who cares what it says she is a kid first and foremost and they love stationary! Seriously, good job you are amazing foster parents and selfless! xo Miss A seems like she is thriving and has a great demeanor even if its not the situation she wanted to be in she is safe with you and thats all that matters and the fact that she can have her siblings over and be with her...makes it amazing !

[@hanaj]

I love how you give her choices. It doesn’t matter if it is a small choice or a big choice, just giving her options is amazing.

[@annikala]

The intro still makes me tear up every time I watch it 💕💕💕

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Same girl.

[@kosipova01]

Wow Ms A, you are a pro with a drill!! The first time I used a drill I was about 27 😂 Love the new bed! I agree, it was great before as well!

[@maryannedelaney]

Miss A is so sweet. She deserves all of the beautiful things you give her and do for her!

[@mentalmegan]

Her little hand wave at the end made this video even more special.💚

[@JL-iu7fk]

Miss A in wooden letters GOT ME! You've been here with us like 4 months! Does this feel like your room? "Duh🤣" That's honesty teenager. "OF COURSE!"

[@Lauren-rx9fv]

I love how carring and thoughtful you are! I love how you thought of everything like the pictures! You really respect her! I completly expected to see a fourced-on-camera kid and you making her read from a script! I was plesently supprised and I love your family/channel/"vibe" (if that makes sense)!

[@TiffanyinOklahoma]

Thank you for bringing joy to this little girl during the most roughest time in her life.

[@JL-iu7fk]

You have such loving hearts! You considere and have interest the same concerns about trying to make sure MIsay is happy. You're such a MOM!♥️

[@trapsfortroubadours]

I love Be the Village!

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

We love you!

[@rondyjane]

Such a sweet bond!

[@Nocturnal_beauty]

I wish more people watched this channel. Everybody needs to see this type of love 😭 I almost started crying too.

[@kimaugust9920]

You guys are amazing. When she leaves you to go back to her family it us going to be so hard on all you guys, the kids and her. I'm so happy she has amazing people that had her best interest at heart.

[@libbysjournal]

I’m so glad she likes her room that’s awesome

[@BLANKU2]

Very cool room makeover! My niece is all about teal in her room as well lol. I love Miss A's hair every girl should go red once. All the little touches in the room are heartwarming and it's cool to see her put her spin and style into her space. The picture wall will be a cool focal point to feature her adventures with friends and family. I love following this family's story because it's such a warm and caring place to be. :)

[@monicac.7527]

Watching her help with the power tools made my heart happy. How fun!

[@monicac.7527]

Oh wait it’s not her? A sibling?

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

No it was her!

[@monicac.7527]

Be The Village oh! Well, it’s so cute. Your videos make me smile. Thanks for being awesome! We need people like you in the world.

[@valariesrisingsun7937]

How sweet. I LOVE hearing from Miss A, I would love to hear how she's liking being with you guys and if she's still liking her new school and if she has a bunch of new friends. She just sounds like such a gracious lovely young lady with so much gratitude and a big heart. This video was so sweet and her room looks beautiful. Sending love to your cute family. 😍😘💕💖💖💖💖💖

[@dog1017]

I’m so happy to see you and mrs a have such a good and comfortable relationship

[@kristinasocia9864]

You guys seem like incredible people and foster parents. ❤️ You are the kind of family that biological parents wish and pray for their children to have. Thank you for what you do!

[@sam_i_am_.]

Thank you for doing whatever you can to make her feel at home 💚

[@pumpkin4ful]

Wow I love the relationship that you and “Miss A”have! Y’all are great foster parents💞

[@jenniejanelle6969]

I love miss A. She's such an awesome girl. You guys are awesome. I love you all! Thanks for being such a light!

[@nixomiii8104]

Yall deserve s many more subsribers!! thank you for letting us enjoy this experience with you and your family!!

[@Rebecca-ld9mu]

Miss A is awesome. I love her personality. I love your whole family. The way you talk to each other and respect opinions of everyone is admirable. Your intro is absolutely beautiful! I've been busy and this is the first time I've seen it. Love it!!

[@jessicaann2070]

Miss A is such a sweet soul.

[@est6464]

I just want to say this, you ( we collectively) are not are life situation. We can all rise above the hurt life throws at us. Ms. A you are a wonderful young lady.

[@Lroselovely88]

Love this! Miss A is obviously a great person, how lucky that she landed with your beautiful family during this time. Thanks for another great video!

[@Kelsey-ot6ip]

I know I’ve said it before but you and John are literal God sends. Beyond amazing! Miss A, we all love you!

[@pickingwilddaisies945]

3:37 I love the white end table 😍 total mid century vibes

[@dianadavis2123]

You guys are amazing. I wish I had more foster parents like you growing up.

[@monkeysluvdani]

Miss A... you are one special girl. ❤️

[@sharonbooda2544]

Awe... it looks great! We are currently in the process of getting certified to become foster parents. We are getting our extra bedroom set up and ready to go.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

How exciting!!

[@sharonbooda2544]

It is! The need is so great in my area. We have teens sleeping in hotels because there are not enough homes open. It’s heartbreaking.

[@jennj2049]

It's so awesome your able to do this for her. Hope you all had a great day, have a great weekend 💕

[@GracieBumblebee]

I found it quite serendipitous that after the title card it opened up to the same exact spot you were standing by the bunk bed in when you first shared Miss A was coming and we were shown how the room was set up. You all have come such a long way, and as a viewer I thank you for sharing with us, your viewers, every step of your story 💖 It was also so nice to hear Miss A share her side of how she felt about the room when she first arrived - no lie, I too was tearing up! Miss A, keep being you and keep shining 💖💖💖 you’ve got a great village supporting you during this season of your life, and we’re all rooting for you!

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

I hadn’t thought of that!

[@melissagreen1117]

Adoreable. I agree with Miss A, the colors are good ones.

[@justrachel6903]

I ♡ miss a so much shes such a lovely person

[@ptxaholic]

Tell Miss A I looooove her hair! Great room makeover 💕💕

[@aubryannatrujillo7130]

You guys are AMAZING! I really do recommend the movie Instant Family. Not sure how realistic it is because I’ve never been on the parenting side of the system, but if you’re ever looking for a heart warming movie, than definitely add that to your list! 😊

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

We’ve watched it!

[@moreeggs2896]

When I’m older I want to take in foster kids

[@camilamoyac]

So nice to hear more from Miss A!! You did a great job with the room

[@AmandaJ__]

Miss A you are beautiful inside and out!! such a joy to have you on the channel :)

[@Blueeyedjenn14]

What a great kiddo! Geez no wonder you fell in love with her! She’s just a wonderful gir!! She is so sweet!! And her dream room came true! Knowing this little angel Miss A is surrounded by so much love and support and she knows she has two families who love and adore her! Just yay!! My cheeks hurt from smiling watching this video! I can feel her smile and happiness when she talks! I just found your channel today and have been binge watching while my husband and our teenage daughters watch their ghost shows tonight and I’m doing laundry and watching YT but so happy I found your family! All three kiddos are amazing and you and your husband have given them what every child deserves, unconditional love, support and stability! Miss A is an extraordinary and wonderful young lady and I hope she knows not only does she have a ton of family love and support from a lot of parents but an entire world loving and supporting her too! Miss A may not realize it yet, I pray she does but she has already made this world a better place! God places angels in all forms throughout this world that touch, motivate and better all those whom she comes into contact with! Thank you to you and your husband for being the extra pair of hearts loving this amazing girl! Just watching your journey has bettered my life and inspired me! Sending you all my prayers, support and all the love in my soul to all of you!!

[@sydneyvinje]

bless your heart. I have no other words!! bless you and your family and miss A

[@everyonesangel8195]

Really wish I had you guys as foster parents

[@s6ac891]

You're doing wonderfully. The room is beautiful.

[@DestinyRain18]

cute room change! i recently got a trundle bed too because i kept hitting my head on the bed i had! i love my new trundle bed!

[@piggy_queen0426]

You guys are such amazing foster parents!

[@mrstrice420]

I love the way you two interact ❤️

[@BeckiPercyBeckiPercy]

"I gave back the snacks" pahaha. That made me laugh so hard

[@kayleeg7748]

The new intro made me cry!!! How special 😢💓

[@starlamiller7703]

What a sweet girl Miss A is!!!

[@annal7406]

I’m not sure if this would be a privacy issue or if it’s ok but I just wanted to let you guys know that miss a says a name around the 6:30 mark that I thought might be a sibling. I know the guidelines are strict on what you can share but sometimes stuff slips through the cracks so I thought I would mention it. Love your channel!

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

I think she only mentions her friend which is ok, thanks for liking out!

[@Mia.k.c]

Lovee that you all were able to do this for her♡ so sweet!

[@johnwick5430]

Great work on the new intro I love it

[@watchmedo635]

She’s so eloquent and grateful, Miss A seems like such a great kid. Y’all are all amazing ❤️❤️ What kind of music does Miss A like?

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

R&B/Hip Hop

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

But her mom listens to a wide range so she also is very familiar with like nirvana and stuff. She’s well rounded musically!

[@krystalmarie22]

I just gotta say the intro is so cute.

[@laurensnow729]

okay but this new intro??!!!😍

[@keisha_renee]

I love this! Your family is so kind 💜

[@xoxo.maggie]

really such a great family ❤️❤️

[@piggy_queen0426]

I love the new intro

[@annaeliseteresa6135]

Love you all so much! Room looks so good

[@hberri7772]

Yay I am so happy for Miss A

[@kayjhoselin]

The room looks really nice, love it 💗💗

[@genamelia626]

Her hair is gorgeous! She doesn't have a ton of products. Believe me, I'm on the internet.

[@girlfromsouth214]

I just ❤ your sweet little family. ❤❤❤

[@yaniragarcia8329]

What’s wrong with “Happy Thoughts” on the notebook?

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

If you watch the first video that she was placed with us, a lot of people commented that it was inappropriate. Essentially, we shouldn’t assume the kid wants to have or has happy thoughts at such a traumatic time. So I was relieved Miss A so the positive side of it.

[@s6ac891]

​ @Be The Village Like Yanira I don't understand why that notebook was controversial. As someone with anxiety and depression issues (stemming from some childhood stuff) trying to find positive things to focus on can help - if I don't try to find at least something positive I can fall deeper. My therapist got me writing down or listing out loud positive things that happened/are happening or if I'm struggling she'd have me/help me work out something positive from the negative. Like if I'm focussing too much on the panic attack I had whilst driving a positive could be no one got hurt. So to me and my therapist that notebook is a great tool. My therapist taught me that it's not about not letting yourself feel bad, it's not letting the negatives take over. It's reminding yourself that there is still some good, even if the only good you can think of is the weather that one positive thought can aid in breaking a spiral you can't get out of.

[@Surdeigt]

Sylvia Davey completely agree with you

[@patchouliodonovan9529]

@@BeTheVillageCommunity It won't be the case for every young person and Miss A obviously found comfort in it and took the notebook gesture in the way it was intended, which I think is because it was tied in with the rest of the room, the Journal was not an afterthought, but part of an intentional and well thought out package of thoughts and gestures, you obviously prepared this room in anticipation of her specifically moving in, it didn't look like a generic space that has already belonged to somebody else. Everything in there looked like it had been thought about and placed in there with intention. However, just to offer a different perspective and maybe shed light on why people have strong opinions on things like the notebook: I grew up in the system and now work in Residential Homes and there is a lot of very generic, patronising decor in those homes that say things like 'Home is where the heart is' 'Follow your dreams' 'Live Laugh Love' 'Be Happy' etc etc. Because this stuff is popular and available at cheap chain stores nationwide, you'll find the same stuff in multiple homes ran by different companies up and down the country (I am in the UK). They are all painted the same shade of cheap and functional magnolia, they all have the same hardwearing neutral carpets and a cheap canvas on the wall with a vaguely inspirational quote is all that has been done to make it feel homely and individual, but achieves the exact opposite. The homes I work in offer short term placements of 12-16 weeks to young people in crisis and I can understand how they could walk past something like that every day and resent it. In that context, a mass-produced bit of wall art saying 'home sweet home' seems false, empty and mocking. It's a really poor effort of applying a bandaid to a crappy situation and some young people might (do) feel like it's making light of their experiences, feelings and emotions. Many young people who have experienced trauma and neglect have spent a long time not having their thoughts and feelings validated, whether they are good or bad and what they need is for someone to reassure them that they are entitled to feel negative emotions, like anger, sadness, sorrow, betrayal etc, just as much as they are to feel positive emotions like joy, pride, excitement etc. Sometimes they need to express those negative emotions and feel validated in order to be able to give themselves permission to enjoy the positive emotions. To some, a journal that says 'positive thoughts' on the cover might reinforce the idea that they are broken and worthless because they do not have 'positive thoughts', that nobody cares for the negative things they feel or wants to listen and that their worth is determined by their ability to bring joy to others. You guys seem lovely and compassionate and switched on, so I am sure that in the above scenario, you are very good at validating *all* the feelings of the young people you care for and letting them know that negative feelings and emotions do not make them a bad person that is unworthy or undeserving of love and care. Your channel does not show a lot of you guys dealing with those more difficult moments (understandably, out of respect for the young person, and because, confidentiality is a thing), so your audience is only getting a small part of the story and forming their opinion based on this. Perhaps to some, it seems like you are making this journey out to be all sunshine and rainbows, which may rub people the wrong way if they have had experiences which don't reflect that and also causes the internet 'experts' to rush out in force to 'educate' you on how you should be doing things :) Be open to hearing helpful insights and advice, but also don't get bogged down by people who are just yelling that you're doing things wrong. It's easy to judge and criticise from the other side of a computer screen, just like it's easy to get all the questions right on your favourite game show and win the star prize from the comfort of your sofa. This is a learning experience for you guys, you're going to make little mistakes and will continue to grow and learn along the way, just like any parent would. You're obviously already doing a fantastic job with Miss A, it's a shame that there are not nearly enough people out there doing what you guys are doing as compassionately as you guys are.

[@susanq6030]

Be The Village That’s so stupid. People really find anything to be mad about. 🙄

[@mariannejennisch9293]

Room looks great miss a. It will be easier. I slept on bottom bunk growing up.

[@pixxie102]

Super cute!!!!

[@jenniferberryhill6347]

Oh my heart!!!

[@Kirsten_is_cursed10]

Omg Miss A’s hair looks so badass!!

[@jasminedixon6733]

Love the new intro♥️

[@carolyn7276]

i love her hair!!!

[@hambeeinwall]

LOVE YOUR ROOM!!! So cute!!!:) ❤️❤️

[@Not_a_snake]

Yyyeeesss, embrace your natural hair.

[@paintedmemories3951]

I know you guys dont have all that much room most likley, but i hope yall adopt miss A ❤ regardless shes so blessed to have you guys, and you guys are even mire blessed to have such a sweet soul like miss, A

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

She has a family though! Fostering is different than adopting. We do love her though, always will!

[@paintedmemories3951]

I saw your other video after i typed that. I understand now❤ regardless you guys are blessed to have each other.😊

[@jonanna8516]

Damn. If my hair was as beautiful as Miss A’s I’d be doing it all the time too 😂

[@lynenaya2690]

Miss A is so grown up.