Thats our family, scattered around like a bunch of jacks. Everyday I pray that someone bounces that little rubber ball, scoops up all of us scattered jacks, and places us together in the palm of their hand (preferably northern Michigan)! If there are days that you think your family lives too close, please think of us. I’d trade spots with any of you faster than you can say the word go.
Bottom line is, Scott and I have each other and that is it.
So when Maddox was born, we quickly needed to learn how to dual up and simultaneously become full time employees and full time parents. We were able to buy some time by alternating our work schedules to stay home and care for Maddox but that was temporary, we both absolutely had to return to work.
We had ZERO options for babysitters for the longest time. It was even worse when Maddox was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Do you know that many area day care providers turned down care for precious Maddox and others who have Down Syndrome? Really, seriously? Turned down the opportunity to care for an innocent child because she has the most perfect upturned smiling eyes, a crease in the palm of her loving hands, or maybe it was it because her murmuring golden heart?
On the other hand, there were two providers that welcomed our daughter with open arms and I sprinkled a little fairy dust and made wishes for these gals. Thank you for embracing all children. For the first time since January 5th, I can say that I have come the closest I ever will to winning the lottery.
I found a babysitter. Not just any babysitter.
A dream come true, perfect, every mom wishes they had one like mine, babysitter.
It’s funny how the world works. If you can follow this story, you will appreciate it.
Scott moved to Alpena jobless. Our babysitters husband hired Scott. Through Scott’s employment, he met and worked with our soon to be babysitter for several years not knowing the place she would soon hold in our hearts. The recession caused some funding cuts and viola. We have ourselves the Mary Poppins of reality. Thank you for coming into our lives at just the right moment.
There are not many people that you trust your precious prized possession with, but our sitter has a heart of gold and wants all the same things we do for Maddie. During the day, she helps teach Maddie to clap her hands, roll over, eat from a spoon, give kisses, and wave bye bye. Also, most every afternoon they take a trip. Sometimes they read books at the library, go swing at the park, take a dip in the lake, and on rainy days they go play with toys at K-Mart.
My heart melts, a warm runny comforting melt knowing that Maddox is getting exposure to the real world and becoming such a versatile person.
Babysitters have such important jobs and need to be recognized as vital team members in your child’s development. Choose your sitter wisely, trust your instinct, don’t settle for less than the best, communicate well, say thank you often, and on special occasions..... buy them flowers.
I did.