Karen C. - Parent
Early education and childcare have not changed much in the last 30 years for working mothers today than back when I was raising my children in the late 1980s and early 1990’s. Back then, I was a mother of two children who were a year apart, one with physical and emotional needs. I also was in a very problematic marriage and had no one to help me care for my two children. I became the reliable source of income for my family and a good health insurance became necessary especially for my child with multiple health issues. I fortunately found a job at a hospital that was 26 miles from my home but had a pre-school and day care on site that would take both my children, so it was worth the commute every day. The downside to this was at the end of the week when I received my paycheck, 2/3 (two-thirds) of my pay went towards day care, and that left me with 1/3 (one-third) for groceries, gas and repairs on my car and co-pays for the multiple medical appointments required for my child with needs. Also, it was quite challenging when my children would get sick and had to deal with a boss who clearly did not understand the role of a working mom and made me feel horrible if I needed leave work to care for my children. It was very difficult to balance my life back then because sometimes I did not have enough money for a full basket of groceries and had to learn how to make do with my limited income living paycheck to paycheck – and that was on a good week if I could make it through.
In addition, the childcare and early ed center at the hospital had teachers with limited and/or some education in childcare and early ed. My child with needs was constantly the conversation between teachers, director, and myself to help in his development and growth; however, due to their lack of experience and knowledge, it was difficult to get accessible services needed for him, so often those services were done after work hours that I had to pay out of pocket, which put a bigger burden on my weekly income. As much as the teachers want to help these goals for my child, they were never offered the professional development needed to have a greater understanding working with a child with needs. I did my best trying to educate these teachers in our conversations, but there was only so much they were able to do.
My journey continued in the elementary school years, and at a newly developed after school program where we lived. The teachers there also had limited education and experience – which they just made minimum wage and were not motivated to further their education to better serve the population of children they had in this afterschool program. I finally had to cut my working hours so I could pick up my children afterschool, bring my child with needs to schedule appts. as well as other activities. I had to obtain another job and get a babysitter a few nights a week to make up the income I was missing from working full time. It was a very chaotic time, and I was extremely tired and overworked (working over 50 hours a week) most of the time, and sometimes did not have the energy to give my children 100%. It broke my heart when some nights I came home exhausted and did not have the strength energy to cuddle and read their books with them.
My life experiences have brought me to join various organizations that support legislation for accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare and early ed. programs in Massachusetts. Statistics show that most family’s need a two-income household to support their families in this country and we are at a crisis, especially here on the south shore and Cape area. If this legislation if passed, it will give the families of Massachusetts and most importantly our children, the educational and services they need for a fair start for ALL of them to succeed in their lives.