Forget all the T.V. super nannies and Ivy League experts. If you want to see real parenting skills in action, look to Children of the City volunteers Robert and Maritza Fred. To say that the Freds love kids is an understatement. In addition to their three biological children, they have helped to raise over 25 foster children, several of whom they have legally adopted. Maritza is lively and loquacious. Robert is quiet and pensive. Together they have made a life long commitment to help restore families.
“The kids always miss their mom,” explains Maritza. “But we always tell them their mom is just tired and we’re here to help her out until she is better.” Although some tears will flow on that initial evening, things always end up the same. The children climb onto Maritza’s lap. And Robert always gets them to laugh before they go off to sleep.
Maritza organizes her day and the household chores around her first priority, spending quality time with all of the children. When the kids come home from school Robert takes them to the park. Later it’s time to sit around the kitchen table with Maritza to do homework, read and talk about their day. The Freds treat all of the children equitably, making them feel safe and secure about their place in a loving, nurturing household.
