So I got to thinking (not always a great thing, but….) maybe you would want to know a little about me and why I think I qualify myself as someone who could host successful discussions on topics pertaining to Early Childhood.

Well it all started a few years ago, well 30+ years ago actually, when I was a young teenager. I started volunteering after school at an early learning Montessori center for children located in the suburbs of Washington DC. This particular school accepted children 2 1/2 years through Kindergarten. When I turned 16 my volunteering became my first job and I worked 3:00-6:00, Monday through Friday and all day, every day in the summer.

That afternoon/summer job pointed me in the direction of what would become a rewarding career choice. After high school, I attended one of those small colleges, one that has since matured into a university. Then came the fun stuff (well there might have been a little fun in college too–but we will save that for another blog), my journey in early childhood development and education. I knew from the beginning that I didn’t want to work in the public school system, I wanted to spend my days with children that were too young to attend school. The precious years between newborn through the age of 5. Now don’t get me wrong, I love school age children too but my heart has always been in early childhood.

I have been an assistant teacher, a lead teacher, an assistant director and a Director of child care centers. I have owned my own center, and bought a 2nd one. When I sold those, I started working for other child care companies and now I am the Director of an Early Childhood Academy owned by a great organization and I couldn’t be happier (well most days). I have never attempted any other job, I knew I wouldn’t have been happy. It’s always been about the children. You might say, I knew at an early age it was my calling. my gift and my purpose.

Through the years mentioned above I was also married for 10 years and had two wonderful children. A boy and a girl, both are now adults. Let me be honest and say, after all the positions I have held in the early childhood field, nothing compares to the joy (and stress) of motherhood. I have given a lot of advice to many parents but I always start with a little disclosure, just because I can offer you advice, does not mean I was successful using the same advice with my own children. It just isn’t the same. But what I do know is my children survived and thrived and through my trials, triumphs, mistakes and regrets, they are both great people and pursuing their own goals at this time and are still talking to me. They survived my divorce, visitation disputes, my continuing education, my sometimes long days and weeks running my own centers, my dating days, my new marriage, having a step father and 2 step brothers, and oh I’m sure they could tell you more they endured to survive, but you get the picture. I was human, worked full time, made mistakes, sometimes had poor judgement on my parenting decisions but they survived, and so did I.

That’s what this blog is all about. It is all survivable. You will question your self as a parent, a preschool teacher, school director, home care provider or just weekend caregiver but it will be okay. I want this to be a “safe” place that we can talk, vent, question, bitch, yell and ask for help, I just want you to know if you love the children in your care you are already on the way to being a successful influence in their lives.

I don’t quite consider myself an expert, but then again, 30+ years in the field, some education and my own parenting adventures, I have seen and experienced a quite a bit. Take my word for what it’s worth, its all my opinion, and my opinion is that children deserve the best we can give them and we deserve to cut ourselves a little slack. Hope you will join me on this journey.

Coming soon: “That Mom” or “Bat Mom”?