INSIDE mom. I needed someone to watch my child, but I didn’ t ask questions. I didn’ t know the rules. I didn’ t know how to advocate for my son.
I was working at the convenience store, and my boss said I could bring my son to work until I found someone to care for him. Then I started watching other workers’ children, and I realized that this is what I wanted to do— to encourage families. There have to be resources especially to help first-time moms.
That commitment has carried you through several settings.
My husband was in the military, and I worked as a family child care provider at bases in Virginia, Georgia, and Michigan. I was an extended care provider: I watched children when the parents had to go on training. When we moved to Michigan, I watched children during drill weekends while soldiers were at the base. hours. I serve three families: One with three children who need care from 11:00 p. m. to 7:00 a. m.; one with four children who need care from 6:00 p. m. to 6:00 a. m.; and a family with one child who needs care from 3:00 to 11:00 p. m.
I have a 1,300-square-foot walkout basement with rollaway beds, so the children have a comfortable place to sleep. If they get off the bus, they eat their dinner here. They do their homework here. The children who come later come in their pajamas. Bedtime is 9:00 p. m. at the latest.
In the mornings, I wake the children up, get them dressed, and give them a light breakfast. They’ re just part of my family. I always say to my husband,“ Tell me if you’ re done,” but he says,“ Baby, this is what you do!” His support makes this work easier.
In 2003, I had to become a civil child care provider, which has different training requirements. On the military base, they offer training modules for family child care providers. But now I needed to go to school. I got my CDA [ Child Development Associate Credential ], and I said,“ I want to learn more.” I went to school as an adult and earned my bachelor’ s degree in early childhood education. I’ m three classes away from earning my master’ s. I’ m so ready to have those letters behind my name!
Twenty-four-hour care is a hallmark of your practice. What does it look like?
My 24-hour group home is licensed and provides critical support to families who need flexible, high-quality care beyond traditional
Fall 2026 Educating Young Children 13