My Purpose

So why did I start a blog?  Who in the world decided I should be the one to give parenting advice?

Well, let’s start at the beginning:

When Mike and I started dating in 2005, we had been coworkers and friends for a while.  I knew he had 2 children – Kathryn, age 4, and Rachael, 9 months.  After we had been dating for a few months, he decided it was time we attempted our first date as a foursome.  We trekked to a large McDonald’s near our apartment and I thought to myself, “I’ve got this in the bag – I’m great with kids.” 

And then panic set in.

As we chomped on our cheeseburgers, the realization hit that if I continued my relationship with Mike, I would be pushed into a parental role with these girls.  I was 21 at the time, and what the hell did I know about being a mom?  I was scared to death and overcome with a million questions and fears.

Time went on and I realized that I had fallen deeply in love with Mike... he was the one for me.  I decided that I could learn how to me a mom as I went along, and made sure to focus on giving the girls love and acceptance.  Looking back, I think that Kathryn and Rachael let me practice how to be a mother before I had children of my own.

Kennedy’s birth brought on a flood of emotions for me.  There was a profound, unexplainable happiness in my heart that I had never before experienced.  She taught me how to love unconditionally.  She helped heal the parts of me that were closed off because of past pain.  She was my sunshine and I knew I wanted to be the best parent I could for her.

When Kennedy was 7 months old, I opened my home childcare business.  Like so many other women, I did it so I could be home with her while still contributing to our family’s income; allowing her to interact with other children was an added bonus.

I quickly realized that my business was not about babysitting other people’s children – it was about forming a bond with my charges and their parents, and building a team focused on providing the best childhood possible.  I wanted to focus my time and help shape the children into good human beings.

Over the past 5 years, I have provided care to over 30 children from newborn to 5 years old.  My interactions with them have taught me so much.  The principles I truly believe about children are:

·         Every child is different.  One solution is not going to work for every child.

·         Children learn what they live, meaning they can only give what they get.

·         Every child has a good heart.

To come full circle, my reason for starting this blog is to answer any questions you have about your children and parenthood.  I have had so many people reach out to me, and I would like to create a community where you can ask questions and get feedback from me as well as other parents.  I am not an expert, but I do have a lot of everyday experience working with young children.

My goal is to develop this blog into an uplifting source of support for parents.  We have the toughest job in the world.  I am on this journey with you, and am still learning every day.