My Story

Yesterday marked my final day as a working mother. Although I may not know if I'll have to work again in the near future, this past year has taught me so much. I'll start first with "My Story".

In January of 2012, Jared and I had a long talk about whether or not I should go back to work. We were struggling financially, borrowing a lot of money from my parents and were plain, just not making it. I called around to the only place I really knew. A local chain called Growing Kids Learning Center. I interviewed and accepted a position as an Infants teacher. I trained in a room with two women. One of whom i would be replacing, and the other my soon to be co-teacher. I jumped in with two feet. I knew the company and most of it's policies (I had worked for Growing Kids at a different location after high school while pregnant with Joel.) and i may or may not have been a bit of a "know it all". I did not come in as humble as i should have.  After one week, a large group of staff decided to stop talking to me. My soon to be co-teacher was among them. The Friday finalizing my last training day, my future co-teacher refused to be in the room with me. I was told by the women i was replacing that no one liked me and they were going to get me "out". I basically had to pull up my big girl panties and say, "I'm not here for you. I'm hear to support my family." I hated going to work everyday. My one saving grace is i loved those babies in my room like they were my own. I wanted to go to work to be with them. Not the women i worked with.

 Shortly into my work year, the company provided an opportunity for it's staff to take a course to become a Child Development Associate or CDA. I wanted to be a part of expanding my knowledge in early childhood so i signed up for the course. There I met Beckey Thompson. I had no idea how this woman would change my life. She loved our small group of women that met together weekly. She was inspirational, she was loving, she was understanding, and she was the example of "if you don't help them, no one will". She helped me culitvate my love of working with infants. I grew such a respect for her that i trusted her with information regarding my employment. I shared the good and bad. She was one of my inspirations to rise above the utter crap

Because i shared my experiences with Beckey, she knew i was unhappy in my work place. I went to her crying about a situation and she told me, "Get out of that place. Your family deserves better." And that moment I knew something had to change. Lucky for me, it happened to fall in my lap. Beckey had a friend who was opening a new infant and toddler center. I interviewed for the job and to my surprise, i got it!

In December of 2012,  i began my journey at Discoveries Infant and Toddler Center with Jennifer Long. She gave up her life savings to do her dream of opening a childcare after losing her job. Jennifer had just had a baby and wanted to build the best environment for her child so she created a small, infant and toddler only, childcare program. After working with Jennifer for only a short time, i grew an immense amount of respect for the knowledge and passion she had working with children. Everything Jennifer does at Discoveries is for the benefit of the children and staff. Childcare is her passion and she encourages and supports her staff to feel the same. Miss Cynthia was hired as the toddler teacher  and i could not have asked for a better co worker. She worked with Evie in the toddler room and Cynthia treated her with respect and love. I can speak no ill of Cynthia.

Now we come to the present. Now we come to where my work journey ends. I submitted my resignation. I quit the only job I would be happy to stay in for the rest of  my days. I know there was a reason I had to work for Growing Kids. As terrible of and experience it was emotionally, I had to in order to meet Beckey. I had to meet Beckey, so i could meet Jennifer. I had to meet Jennifer to continue to inspire my knowledge and passion for working with infants. I had to do this to become thankful for my family.

Now, this is only the cliffs notes. This is only the logistics of my story. I have so many more successes and trials mixed in here. But i guess those are for me. Those are for my growth. I just needed to write down what happened so i can remember.

I can't forget.

Emily