Editors Voice

WRITTEN BY CORA DESANTIS

Our editor-in-chief, Leigh Ripley, is busy with a remodel this month so I’m stepping in to replace her.

My kids are now in high school and college, so early childhood feels far removed from my world at this point. So far removed, in fact, that I can hardly remember the whirlwind of those years. Honestly, in many ways, I missed my 30’s.

But what I can remember is that I couldn’t have done it without my early childhood educators. I was a full-time working mom – always. My kids grew up in various childcare facilities (many of them) over the years. Here are just a few: Little People’s Academy, ABC Kids, Middle Creek Montessori, with teachers like Terry Quatraro, Elies Adams and Cathy Suit. I am grateful to Ashley at ABC Kids, Marissa Sherkenney at MCM (who now owns Bozeman Montessori). I would also like to acknowledge the folks who support early childhood with nonprofits like Child Care Connections led by mom, Tori Sproles, who provides teacher training, scholarships for low-income families, childcare referrals and who monitors the safety of facilities so our kids are safe.

I could not have done it without this help, this nurturing care and personal support. At one point while working full time in a corporate job, I was paying more for childcare than for my mortgage. Those times were crazy busy and I’m glad they are over because – phew! – I now realize only a young person could handle that. All three of my kids have grown up fairly well adjusted. Two are in college at MSU (GO BOBCATS!!!) and one is finishing high school. And my amazingly talented childcare providers and teachers are the ones who helped raise my babies. Words can never thank them enough for caring for the most precious things in my life; for fostering their growth, learning and independence.

Anyway, sniff…sniff….onward – because I smell freedom, baby!

And a funny story:

Evelyn, at age 2-ish asked, “Mom, why do adults have hair on their butts? Do they take it off their heads and tape it there?”

I answered, “Because when children grow up their bodies mature and hair grows there.”

Evelyn, “Does that mean Katherine (her older sister) is going to get hair on her butt first?”

Me, “Yes.”

Evelyn starts crying and says, “I don’t want Katherine to grow up!!!”

Nowadays I remember the funny things more than the drudgery. Keep your chins up, mamas! There is lots of local support available should you need it, and, in the blink of an eye, you’ll hardly remember anything.