While growing up in the Binghamton area, I had heard of Mom’s House from time to time but never really knew who, specifically, was privileged enough to use it. After deciding to enter graduate school as a single mother three years ago, I sifted through the local daycare resources for my two year old daughter. None of the options seemed to meet my requirements. After all, wasn’t I supposed to be the one staying at home to raise my children? I called Mom’s House on a whim expecting them to say, “Sorry, Mom’s House is not intended for you.” What I heard on the other end of the phone was the first of many blessings that followed shortly thereafter.
“Mom’s House is for any qualifying single parent who is enrolled in school full-time” was what the kind woman informed me. I could not believe it. I was asked to come in for an interview and upon receiving a tour of the beautiful facility I knew in my heart this was where my daughter belonged. The teachers, volunteers and administration all keep the mission of Mom’s House at the forefront in everything they do. They follow New York State daycare regulations and guidelines while feeding the children nutritious homemade meals.
However, it is what you cannot see in one visit to Mom’s House that truly makes it unlike any other center caring for children. It is the love, nurturing, time and attention to each individual infant, toddler and child that allows parents to leave their children daily in order to sit for a lecture, attend clinical, study for an exam or write a paper. It is the camaraderie, bonding and support that the parents supply for one another semester after semester. It is the encouragement, cheerleading and role modeling that awards one to achieve their hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
By the grace of God and Mom’s House, myself and my daughter soared through 3 years of graduate school with great success. My daughter’s light shines bright as she prepares to enter kindergarten in the fall, and it is with overwhelming excitement that I can finally say, I have accepted an offer for my dream job. Mom’s House will forever be in my heart and on my mind as we move onward in our journey.