Some of you may have noticed there’s no mention of my kids or my own personal experience as a mother on this site. And you know what, my little investigators? You’re right. I don’t have kids. So why should you trust me to help with you with your own kids? What the heck do I know?!?
I’ve grown up around young children my entire life. I was that cousin who watched over all the other little ones at family get-togethers, setting up games and making sure everyone was all right. I have much younger siblings. They’re 15 and 11 years younger than me, and so I’ve always felt like a second mom to them. Ask my friends! They’re probably sick of hearing me talking about them so often. (Hi Andrea and Brandon!)
I’ve spent all my education and career learning about young children and families. I’m dedicated to you all, and I love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
And yet, I don’t have kids of my own. I haven’t been through childbirth. I haven’t rocked my own baby to sleep, worried over them when they’re sick, stressed about if that one thing they’re suddenly doing is “normal,” or peeked into their room at night just to watch them sleep peacefully.
And honestly, I think that’s ok! Because I’m not here to tell you how to be a parent. I don’t hold one parenting style above the other. I am here to stand behind you and support you in your relationship with your child. I’ve worked with dozens and dozens of families, from many different backgrounds; I want to use what I’ve learned and what’s I’ve seen to help you and your children develop and learn.
If you’re still uncertain about working with someone who is not a parent, that’s ok too! You should not work with someone who you do not feel comfortable with.
However, I do want to challenge assumptions about someone who works with kids not having any of their own. You never know what the reasons are behind that.
My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for the past year and a half. We’ve been through two miscarriages in that time, and we don’t know what our future looks like. It’s been hard and confusing and scary and frustrating. I don’t know how many more times I can go through those feelings again.
But that does not lessen my love for working with young children and families. It does not lessen how I can support you, grow your knowledge of child development, and strengthen your relationship with both yourself and your family.
And it definitely does not take away from the love and care that I feel for the children and families I work with. I get so much joy doing what I do, and know that not having kids is not going to stop me from doing what I love (and, honestly y’all, doing what I’m really good at!)
So give me a shot! And try not to judge people without children. You don’t know what we may be going through.
What do you think? Would you work with a pediatrician or teacher that does not have kids? Have you ever asked someone when they’re going to have kids and gotten an answer you didn’t expect? Share your thoughts below! And reach out here if you think you’d like to work with me.
