Ever since she was a teenager, Lydia Gleason knew that she wanted to adopt. In January 2025, she and her husband Nick welcomed siblings (two brothers) into their growing family.
Like most adoptive parents in Washington, the Gleason’s adoption journey began as foster parents nearly four years ago.
“It took me a bit more time to get on board with the idea of foster care,” said Nick. “We began by providing respite care for other foster parents through that process and through relationships we created with those foster parents, my heart opened up to the idea of providing a space that was consistent and safe for kids who needed it.”
During their time as foster parents, Lydia and Nick have fostered a total of nine children and remain in contact with nearly all of the biological families.
“For me, being a foster parent is all about connection and community, so it’s really important to me that I am friendly with and supportive of bio families,” said Lydia.
Nick and Lydia keep in contact with biological family members initially through notebooks that are passed to the parents with updates and highlights, then move to texting and Zoom calls when appropriate. With their adopted daughter, they even drove three hours away so she could visit her biological mom who was in treatment at the time.
"As long as it’s healthy and safe, keeping in regular contact and helping the kids we care for maintain a relationship with their biological family whether that’s a mom, dad, grandma, or an uncle, is ultimately the best thing for the kids,” said Nick. “And that’s what we are here for.”
Along with dedicating their time, energy, and space caring for children in Washington state, Lydia is also helping improve and amend foster care licensing standards alongside other lived experts and DCYF staff through the Foster Care WAC Amendment Project.
Welcoming Siblings to the Family
At the end of January 2025, Nick and Lydia visited the courthouse to attend their family’s second adoption hearing – becoming mom and dad to two young brothers. The couple fostered these brothers for nearly a year until a kinship placement was identified. During this time, they remained in touch, ultimately fostering them again when the kinship match did not work out.
Nick and Lydia say both boys are excited to “live with them forever” and to share their new last names. The boys had a crowd of supporters attend the celebration including caseworkers, Guardian Ad Litem teachers, grandma, and cousins.
The Gleason’s are planning on keeping their foster care license open, but for now, will just provide respite care as they adjust to life as a family of five. When asked what advice they had for those considering foster parents, the Gleason’s said to stay humble and focus on the kids.
“My best advice is to remind yourself that this is not about you,” said Lydia. “There are times when you may be frustrated about something. I only let myself be upset for 24 hours, then I move on. Foster Care is for the kids, make sure that’s your focus.”
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a foster parent or providing respite care visit https://dcyf.wa.gov/services/foster-parenting/become-a-foster-parent
For Adoption Support information visit https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/adoption-support-program