It didn’t happen very often, but occasionally a family would have to make some tough decisions for daycare. Because of cost, and relationship issues, my services for a family was no longer needed. One particular family of mine went through a separation. Unfortunately with my day home not being a licensed facility, I could not offer subsidy to help offset the cost of childcare.
I am the type of person who constantly thinks about my little ones, no matter the reason for them leaving. Consequently, this particular family was on my mind a lot. When the family started with me, their daughter was broken. The fights in her home life had affected this little soul considerably. As a result the negative atmosphere had caused her to have a lot of separation anxiety. This child had already imprinted on my heart. She was a magical little girl, a child that I new needed loving boundaries. She learned to trust that I had her best interest at heart. So, excitedly, I embraced the task of teaching her how to gain her own voice to discuss her feelings. As this little butterfly started to unfold, her world changed. Alas I was no longer an everyday part, and her family separated.
Mutual friends let me know how they were doing and how this little one had adjusted to the new daycare. All things considered the separation of her parents was necessary for the harmony of her home. I had hoped her anxiety would continue to subside. She grew up, and her life settled into a better routine once she was in school. Satisfied that she was doing okay, I no longer felt the need to constantly check in on her, being appeased with the trickles of news through the grapevine.
Recently I had the opportunity to speak to her Mom. The conversation was amazing, it was nice to know they were doing so well. The Mom confided in me that her only regret through all of the new adjustments was walking away from me as their childcare. Selfishly her ex spouse had insisted on the change, not willing to spend the extra money. As a result, her daughter had regressed into herself for quite a long time. Outwardly her daughter appeared fine, but struggled with anxiety and depression. She proceeded to tell me her daughter, now a young woman, had started counseling to help her through everything. Learning to regain her lost voice. Her daughter had told her that she constantly heard my words echo in her mind, “You are amazing . Talk to me, talk to someone. You matter.”