Celebrating 11 years of motherhood

Many ask how I got into this profession and this is my story!

Motherhood at the age of 24 years gave me ample of energy. My husband and I prematurely agreed on the fact of me becoming a full time house wife and mummy to our newborn. Being young and hardly any mummy friends, it got harder on my mental wellbeing. Staying at home was nothing but discomforting so I started nit-picking on everything related to my son's behaviourism.

I was surrounded by people who loved me and before surrendering my work life, I felt lucky to have two bosses that allowed me to take my newborn to work with me, reducing my work load/hours and above all provide me with a wholesome job that could help me provide for my family although being a young mum. The pressure however kept building up due to sleep deprivation, hormonal changes and above all being new at everything.

Luca newborn

The day I resigned work was the day I gave in to finding out different ways how to cope with a newborn. Immediately I fell in love with the idea of research and although there were far more limited information online back then, I was able to get hooked on child psychology, learning through play and child development in general.

The interest grew and so did my son, giving me the chance to put into practice all that I was reading. Sooner or later, I became a mother of a one year old. I was fed up at home. A handful of my mates had children but the closest ones were still wedding planning yet alone thinking of bearing children. Went back to casually working as a party entertainer to provide extra support for my husband with the load of house loans, baby shopping added with other insurances and endless expenses.

While vacationing in London with my husband and father in-law, I came across a child care centre. Never seen or heard of one before then. Amused, intrigued and curious, I started to like the idea of caring for more children but was not ready to have more of my own just yet. Going back home, I stumbled upon MCAST courses with regards to child care development.

During the interview I didn't know what was going through my head other than the constant thought of me leaving my nearly 1 year old with his great grandmother of 70 something. I felt pathetic, weak and careless for leaving my son with someone else while I tried to pursue something for myself. It felt wrong on so many levels but yet it gave me enough fire to start something and push through the interview as maturely as possible.

Leaving the MCAST principle office I dashed back into the arms of my son. It felt so reassuring to see he was well and kicking, even though I found him crying. Vouching I would never do it again!! Quickly I had to retire from that thought of staying at home, because later, in a couple of weeks, I got accepted in a small group of first years in Advanced Early Years Lv 5 Higher national diploma. Being out of school for approximately 9 years was scary and I felt numb.

The worst was yet to come! I had to settle down with the fact that I would be leaving my 1 year old with complete strangers. Fearful and very heartbroken, I left my baby by the door or a child care centre and left for my first lesson just up the road. Hyperventilating, balling my eyes out and fearful I had to integrate with a new group of strangers for a full time two year journey without any prior experience other than that of being a new mother.

The first assignment was the hardest too, especially after I had to learn about resubmissions and follow through with an overdo of all that I have previously done. It felt like I wasted my precious time on assignments rather than my toddler, but in reality he was the one that helped me achieve further. Putting everything that I was learning into perspective and understanding the context being taught through first hand experience was ace. I could relate not only to my own childhood, but even better watch everything unfold infront of my eyes while watching my son grow. Things started to make more sense.

He was the source that made me understand my modules, he was the little guy who kept me pushing for more knowledge and he was the little man who patiently taught me all about learning through play, revers roles, perseverance and being human.

Why all this today?

The young boy who 11 years ago gave me the courage and motivation to do something about my life is celebrating his birthday today. Starting this journey with him has been tremendously scary and exciting, which leads me in concluding that without him, I wouldn't have seen this complex world the same way I see of it today.

I am still as fascinated as ever when it comes to child development. So much so that I have started my top up degree with IFE and MCAST this very January. This time around I went in with a much more open mind set and ample of experience. Less tears but more excitement. Growing in my professional life because my 11 year old taught me that being a mother doesn't need to stop me from being who I am.

Motherhood is the reason why I started and I am blessed to have had this opportunity in my life and share it with a young man who is all about making others happy, content and supporting family at all costs.

Happy birthday Luca and thank you for being the man that inspired me to be who I am today, for still tagging along, being my accomplice and above all my life.