Lifeline through tragedy….

My daughter Raelynn was only 7 months old when she lost her daddy, my son Kholton had just turned 3.  Experiencing a tragic loss like this could’ve taken my family down, but the support, stability, love and devotion from our child care center carried us through.  They became the only “norm” we could cling to, and I am forever grateful.  

I’m a full-time working mom - who  has an hour commute to work - and the number of hours I must have my kids in the care of another impacts GREATLY on who my children are becoming   I can proudly say they are more than I could ever imagine - and I owe it their amazing child care center (Sunshine Playhouse Child Care Centers, Lake Delton, WI). 

They may never know just how much we think of them as family - but they will forever be just that. 

My Second Mom

Even today at 27 years old, I could not imagine my life without my nanny. She is, and always will be, a second mother to me.

My parents hired her when my mom was pregnant with me, and she was at our house for 8 hours a day 5 days a week when I was a young child. The relationship was mutually beneficially from the start. Her daughter was my older brother’s age, so they grew up going to the same elementary school, and then my nanny could watch all three of us until she and her daughter went home for the day. My parents sponsored her for her U.S. citizenship, and even loaned her money to buy a car when she first started working for them. Almost 30 years after she came to this country, she now has a successful interior design business, working on houses all across the D.C. area.

When I was 10, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She fought long and hard and passed away 12 years later when I was 22. Even though my brother and I no longer needed a nanny once we got older, she would still come every week and do our family’s laundry and grocery shopping, all because of how much she loved my mother and my family. Even when my brother and I had left the house, she still came once a week to see my mom.

When I got married last summer, I made sure to have a “honorary moms” picture, which included my mother-in-law, my aunts, and my nanny. I cannot imagine my life without her, and I am thankful for the love and support she gave me, and especially my mom, all those years.

We have two adorable sons (1.5 and 3.5 years) who we love more than words can describe.  Our youngest (Preston) was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after his birth.  Needless to say, the past year and a half has been filled with great joy and as well as tears mixed with anxiety.  Having special needs, we were a little hesitant to bring him to a place that might not be too familiar with children with Down syndrome.  But we decided keep both boys at their original daycare facility (New Horizon 53 in Bloomington, MN) anyway. We can’t thank the teachers enough for all of the patience, willingness to learn and care they’ve provided Preston.  They’ve proactively read up on special needs’ activities and have gone out of their way to promote a fun and safe environment for both of our boys. We recently participated in our second annual Step Up for Down Syndrome walk to help raise money and awareness for people who have an extra wonderful chromosome.  We were brought to tears when both Preston’s and our older son Hudson’s teachers showed up!  Unbeknownst to us, they raised money, made sweatshirts in his honor and walked with us! We’re amazed at their acceptance, care and love they provide our family.  We can only hope we continue to find such wonderful and supportive educators for our boys as they continue on their journeys. Thankfully, Nathan, Alysha, Hudson and Preston
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We have two adorable sons (1.5 and 3.5 years) who we love more than words can describe.  Our youngest (Preston) was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after his birth.  Needless to say, the past year and a half has been filled with great joy and as well as tears mixed with anxiety. 

Having special needs, we were a little hesitant to bring him to a place that might not be too familiar with children with Down syndrome.  But we decided keep both boys at their original daycare facility (New Horizon 53 in Bloomington, MN) anyway.

We can’t thank the teachers enough for all of the patience, willingness to learn and care they’ve provided Preston.  They’ve proactively read up on special needs’ activities and have gone out of their way to promote a fun and safe environment for both of our boys.

We recently participated in our second annual Step Up for Down Syndrome walk to help raise money and awareness for people who have an extra wonderful chromosome.  We were brought to tears when both Preston’s and our older son Hudson’s teachers showed up!  Unbeknownst to us, they raised money, made sweatshirts in his honor and walked with us!

We’re amazed at their acceptance, care and love they provide our family.  We can only hope we continue to find such wonderful and supportive educators for our boys as they continue on their journeys.

Thankfully,

Nathan, Alysha, Hudson and Preston

Making it Through

I was so lucky to have awesome childcare while my children were small and I was going to college!  The Campus Childcare Center allowed me the peace of mind of having my children so close to me while I worked and went to school.  My girls started when they were 4 and 3 years of age, and they loved each of their teachers at the Center.  Creative activities were a daily experience.  Science projects, different textures, and a varied experiences of people made each of their early educations/childcare experiences phenomenal.  I was one of the luckiest single mothers ever to have this experience for my children!  

Ruby “Doobee” Brunson: A Jewel in the Child Care Crown

Ruby “Doobee” Brunson was a gold star child care provider who created a community of home based providers.  They worked in tandem with parents to bring the kind of care to our children that we will never forget.  Ruby worked tirelessly to ensure that our children looked forward to returning to her reassuring and culturally rich space everyday.  The environment was filled with so many signs of intelligent life from clever games to multicultural books and the most amazing field trips. Poems and pictures graced her walls and the sounds of joy bellowed out the windows of her North Oakland, home-based child care center.  She died far, far too young, but left an amazing legacy  and a gold mine of memories to those for whom she cared, including Anyania, Jamalo, Ayanaa, Jacobo, Tatiayna and hundreds of others touched by her warm heart, grounded instincts and loving hands.  She was a jewel in the crown.

When love is what is most important

When I had my first child 4 years ago, I was terrified of leaving him at a daycare when I went back to work…but was lucky to find the amazing caretakers at Little Daydreamers, right down the street in my upper Manhattan neighborhood (Inwood). I admit I first chose the place because they had a webcam where I could check in during the day. But what won me over was the loving, joyful care they provided. My son positively lit up when he would see Margarita (“Tita”), the first of many wonderful women who would take care of my first and then my second child, over the years. Along the way, my kids learned some Spanish, gained manners, and shared many happy experiences, in a warm trusting environment. But what always meant the most to me was knowing that they were being loved, hugged and cuddled all day. Thank you, Little Daydreamers!!

El Cerrito CA, awesome caring Dolma

I have no words to describe how much I like LOVE my daughter’s nanny.

Dolma is energetic, very loving, very patient, fun… she irradiates a calming energy that the kids absorb. My daughter grew happy and confident under Dolma’s care. I was able to go to work with the certainty that my daughter was very well taken care of. We never had a diaper rash!. Dolma has taken care of kids with special needs, with the same patience and care. And I have seen her being the active, fun person that active full of energy boys and girls need. She reads the kids very well; she is conscientious of individual needs. 

I love her, and I feel blessed by her presence in our lives.

Of pumpkins and patience

I am just home from a harrowing morning chaperoning a gaggle of 4 years olds on a pumpkin picking adventure. My primary takeaway was that preschool teachers do not get paid anything close to what they deserve. Coming home on the bus, I was flattened, but the teachers were still completely engaged, asking each child what they enjoyed best, making up silly games and songs, keeping them calm and safe. What an extraordinary gift I get to give to my children each day, to learn and be loved by such wonderful people!

I Don’t Know Where I’d Be Without My Child Care Provider!

My daughter’s child care providers have been lifesavers. As a busy, two parent, full-time working household, it is crucial that we know our daughter is on good hands. Otherwise I wouldnt be able to focus at work. She loves her teachers, and she loves going to her child care program every day. They are professionals and they know how to rotate toys and materials and provide developmentally appropriate activities — things I don’t have the time or energy to do at home.

I love knowing I can go to work without worrying whether she’s safe or engaged or happy. 

Loving makes the difference

We were so fortunate to have Louise Clayton as our loving child care provider from birth until elementary school.  Her dedication, love and reliability made it possible for me to continue to work full-time — knowing that my children were safe and getting the very best care.