By Susan Bromley
Staff Writer
Groveland Twp.- Art Guimond never gave much thought to being a father as a young man.
He and his wife, Janice, were married for 13 years without children. Now, at 58, he has six children, ranging in age from 19 to 11.
Guimond was 40 and a teacher and Janice was 42 and working for what is now Delphi in 1990 when they were watching a news segment about the Whaley Children’s Center in Flint, which assists children and families in need. The segment showed how the kids responded to animals and at the time, the Guimonds owned a horse farm in Birch Run and also had several dogs and cats. They thought it could be a good experience for kids and they became foster parents. In 1992, Samantha, not quite three, and William, 18 months, came to stay, the first foster children they had for any length of time.
‘We had a great setting in the country and could turn them and the dogs loose,? recalled Guimond. ‘We didn’t have to worry.?
In December 1994, they adopted Sam and Will? a good Christmas present, says Guimond, smiling.
They moved to a bigger house and the Family Independence Agency increased the number of foster children they were licensed for and they took in more and more children.
In 1995, they got Kayla, just 2-months-old, and in February 1996, Brian, 2, and Alissa, 1, half-siblings, arrived at their home. In 1998, Trever, 16-months-old, came along. Brian, Ali, and Kayla were all officially adopted in 1999, and Trever was adopted in 2000.
‘It seems like they’ve been with us forever,? said Guimond, who noted that foster care was difficult and he and Janice decided to stop fostering in 2000 after they had to return one child whom they’d had for nearly two years. ‘Our family is complete. We never planned this to be permanent, but when you get kids with you two years or longer and you get a chance to adopt them, you say, ‘Yeah, sure.? It just kinda happened.?
The teen and preteen years have proved more challenging for Guimond. Sam, is now 19; William, 17; Brian, 14; Ali, 13; Kayla, 12; and Trever is 11.
‘When they’re younger, they’re cute and easy, now they’re older and developing their own opinions and want to do their own things, but that’s kids,? he said. ‘It’s tough for me, because I never presented a problem to my parents and it was a different time then than it is now. The challenges we’re facing are new to us.?
When asked what the biggest challenge is, he laughs and says, ‘getting everyone up in the morning and to the bus on time.?
Then, more seriously? ‘My wife and I are firm believers in being persons of character and are trying to instill that in them… Our job is to put productive, useful people in society. We tell them people need to be able to take you at your word and have a good opinion of you. Getting character development is the biggest challenge.?
Guimond relaxes now at his 10-acre farm, as Kayla sits on his lap and Ali and Sam hover nearby. He enjoys seeing his children accomplish different things, whether it is Kayla with horseback riding (the Guimonds own two horses), or Trever building things with Legos or Brian and William learning new skateboarding moves.
He notes his children are diverse and are at an age where they don’t want to be seen doing stuff with mom and dad, but they are good helpers around the farm and he bonds with them as they do chores.
Guimond has no specific philosophy about parenting.
‘With my crew and the different personalities, it changes from day to day,? he said. ‘Things set them off in different ways. I take each situation and remember which one I’m dealing with. I’ve learned that children can’t be lumped into one category and you can’t handle things the same way. You have to be able to adapt.?
On Father’s Day, Guimond said the family will go to church and hang out, and he will probably barbecue. As always, there is work to do. He says there is no particular material gift that he wants.
‘More than anything, I want them to take the message my wife and I are trying to instill? to be a person of character,? he said.
The message seems to be getting across. When asked what they have learned from their father, Sam responds, ‘Tell the truth. You’ll be in less trouble than if you lied,? and Trever says, ‘Respect him and don’t get in trouble.?
‘He’s an awesome daddy,? says Kayla, throwing her arms around him.
He smiles at her and looks around at the children surrounding him.
‘They do keep us young, that’s for sure,? he said.