---
title: "'Redefine What It Means to Be a Family'"
date: 2024-05-06T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/redefine-what-it-means-to-be-a-family"
section: Articles
---
# 'Redefine What It Means to Be a Family'

*May 6, 2024* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> Professor and Alum Wife Honored as D.C.’s Foster Parent of the Year

*IMG 5247 1920x1080 — Taylor and Madeleine Woodman's four children—two adopted, two fostered—at a beach in Puerto Rico during a recent family trip. The Woodmans have been named D.C. Foster Parent of the Year for 2024.*

In just three months, Taylor Woodman M.A. ’12, Ph.D. ’19 and his wife, Madeleine ’10, M.Ed. ’11, went from raising one child to wrangling four under the age of 6.

The D.C. foster parents had just adopted their oldest daughter, Harmony, in the spring of 2022 and were on the verge of adopting their second, Coco. A newborn also in their care had recently been reunited with his family when they got a call: Could they take a pair of siblings?

They didn’t hesitate. The Woodmans welcomed 1-year-old “M” and 4-year-old “R,” allowing the brothers to remain together in D.C., an unfortunate rarity. What was supposed to be a two-week stay has turned into two years, and they still live with the Woodmans today.


*The Woodmans holding their four children in a family portrait — Taylor (top) and Madeleine (middle) hold their four children, adopted daughters Harmony and Coco and foster brothers "M" and "R," in a recent family photo.*


*Group photo of Taylor and Madeleine Woodman with a foster child's family — The Woodmans in their backyard with their neighbors and their first foster son's biological family soon after he was reunified with them.*



**Sidebar note:**

May is National Foster Care Month. To find ways to support youth in D.C. or to learn more about becoming a foster parent, visit the [D.C. Child and Family Services site](https://cfsa.dc.gov/#gsc.tab=0) or call 202-671-LOVE (5683).





**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Education](https://today.umd.edu/topic/education), [Multicultural Community](https://today.umd.edu/topic/multicultural-community)


**Units:** [College of Education](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-education)