Missy's Kreative Kidz

How Becoming a Mom Again Changed My Life

Two years ago, I was reveling in the idea that my kids were almost grown. My husband and I were beginning to dream a little about travel, being empty nesters and even retirement. We each had brought children into our marriage from previous marriages. I had two and he had one. We had hoped for a child of our own but those dreams had been shattered after six miscarriages in three years, and my doctor told me that we were not compatible, whatever that meant... In December of 2015, I had my final miscarriage, resulting in a devastating surgery to remove the baby. I had to have this procedure done because my place of employment had refused to allow me time off to tend to what I knew was happening to me. I worked in childcare. One would think that they would be understanding, even sympathetic. They weren't. Once I had to have the surgery and have time off, they were apologetic but that was so I didn't sue them. They even gave me paid leave! Well, April of 2016 I was heading to the doctor to have another procedure done, one that would ensure I would miscarry no more. This is when we discovered I was once again pregnant. I was shocked, scared, and felt alone. Each month I waited for the dreaded signs of miscarriage. They never came. In December 2016, I delivered a baby girl. Little did I know she would change my path.

I went back to work in April 2017, after having four months off due to pregnancy complications. My older daughter was going through medical issues, having seizures daily. It was getting worse. I had to constantly leave work. Our baby was going to the childcare I worked at and I had to pay a ridiculous amount and half the time I was paying to care for my baby. How absurd! In October 2017, I was told that my oldest daughter had a debilitating disorder, actually more than one. She was 16 and would need constant supervision and care. I went into work and quit. They acted sympathetic. It was a job I loved, not necessarily a place I loved but working with kids, teaching was my dream. I was sad to go. I would miss so many beautiful faces. But, my child and my family needed me more.

At the end of October, a friend reached out to me to ask if I would be willing to watch her son, who was three months old, while she worked. She said she didn't mind if I had to take him to appointments. She wanted him out of daycare. She had been my co-teacher at my former job and she knew how well I worked with kids. She said she would pay whatever I wanted. The daycare wasn't at all what she had expected or what she had been told. I said sure. This is when I got the idea for Missy's Kreative Kidz, an in-home childcare focused on children four weeks to four years of age. My specialty. I soon had more children. I only needed a few kids. I wanted to give each child individual attention as well as my own little girl. I also needed to be able to keep an eye on my oldest. Oh, and my other two, one who has Asperger's Syndrome. It seemed daunting at first. But now, here I sit, babies sleeping and writing my story. It's only been two months but I am so much happier. My girls are welled care for. My boys know I will be home when they get here after school. I am not overworked and underpaid. In fact, I make more now than I did when I was punching the clock.

My life has taken a drastic turn. I am not where I thought I would be. My stress is virtually gone and my daughter is doing better. She is even going back to school. Her seizures have almost stopped. I plan to continue this for as long as possible. I love it. I have even set up a better retirement account for my husband's and my future, whenever we are finally kid free.