Family means many things to many different people. And although some family units may appear similar on the surface, no two families are truly the same.
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That’s one of the messages Rob Scheer is trying to get across by speaking about his adoptive kids and his experience in the foster care system.
Rob Scheer's Hard Past - And How It Forged His Idea of Family
Growing up, Scheer faced many challenges. At 12 years old, he was put into the foster system after he was abused by his parents and stepfather, but it didn’t end there. He endured more abuse within the system and, weeks after his 18th birthday, his foster family kicked him out.
He overcame his obstacles and eventually found a secure job and a husband, Reece. Scheer details all of this and more in his book, A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time. He’s also now a foster care advocate and makes appearances to help spread awareness, kindness, and compassion.
"We should all be proud of our past, no matter how hard it is."
- Rob Scheer
One of the really big things he touches on during both his talks and in his book is his personal experience fostering children and eventually adopting them. By spreading the message, he hopes more good families will step up and help children who need a stable and loving environment.
In a 2018 interview with the Huffington Post, Scheer revealed he’s faced some criticism for being so open with his past, but he feels it’s an important thing to talk about — especially with his own adoptive kids.
“No. 1, [those critics] don’t walk in my shoes,” Scheer said. “And No. 2, we should all be proud of our past, no matter how hard it is. Our past really is what helps define us, even for our future.”
How Rob Scheer Redefined a Healthier Idea of the "Forever Family"
Speaking of Scheer’s own family, he and Reece fostered and eventually adopted four of their own kids: two sets of siblings named Amaya, Makai, Greyson and Tristan. They call their unit a forever family and Scheer speaks about them quite often.
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In that same interview, Scheer opened up about some of the prejudice and comments he’s received about his family, especially regarding two gay white men raising four Black children. He says he and his husband are constantly having conversations about race and prejudice with their kids, and trying to foster a more open dialogue with others looking in as well.
"My kids deserve to be recognized."
- Rob Scheer
“People say to me all the time, ‘Oh, I don’t see color,’” Scheer explained. “Well, then you don’t see my kids. My kids are color. My kids deserve to be recognized… [by saying] you don’t see color, then you just see a river of white.”
How Rob Scheer Is Giving Back to Foster and Adoptive Families
Scheer also tries to give back to the fostering community in various ways. Aside from his public speaking appearances and overall attempts to raise awareness, he is also the creator of Comfort Cases — backpacks filled with comfort items for kids going into the foster system and for children refugees.
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Each pack is filled with things like stuffed animals, pajamas, books and a blanket to help a child feel cared for and loved. Scheer reveals he was inspired to create the packs after his own children arrived on his doorstep with their things in garbage bags — an experience he himself had so many years ago.
"It’s so important to not just raise awareness, but to also provide hope and dignity to them by giving back to these children."
- Rob Scheer
Recently, toy company Mattel teamed with Comfort Cases and donated age-appropriate products including 1,000 plush toys and 1,000 UNO decks. “With more than 1,000 children entering foster care daily, and more than 400,000 children in foster care in the U.S, it’s so important to not just raise awareness, but to also provide hope and dignity to them by giving back to these children, which is exactly what our friends at Mattel are doing,” Scheer said in a statement.
Why Opening up Your Heart to a Broader Idea of Family Is So Important
In his interview with the Huffington Post, Scheer revealed his goal isn’t to criticize the foster care system, it’s to improve it for the kids who are in the situation in which he once found himself.
“I don’t want to scare anyone away from the system, I don’t want to scare anyone away from adoption,” Scheer added. “But what I want people to do is to do this with open eyes, to do it with understanding and unconditional love.”
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It’s a reminder to all of us that there are plenty of kids out there who need love and support. If you’ve ever thought about fostering children or adopting, perhaps Scheer’s story is the motivation you need to actually put in that application. Or, if you’re unable to add to your family right now, there are plenty of organizations — like Comfort Cases — that could use a donation.
Every little bit helps, and can go a long way towards ensuring children get the love and care they need — and deserve.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.