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Kids & Company Blog
Meet the Parents: Real Families Talk About the Journey of Parenting
With over 100 child care and early learning centres across Canada and the US, Kids & Company is partners with a lot of parents and we are proud to be part of ‘The Village’ that it takes to raise children. Even though each child, parent and family is so unique, there are a number of universal aspects of being a parent that we want to share and celebrate by telling our families’ stories.
Our first in the Meet the Parents series is the Jarvis family in Airdrie, Alberta.
I met mom, Brandy, in a coffee shop near her work one day to chat. She had her almost 4-year-old daughter, Miriam, with her – even though Miriam goes full-time to the Kids & Company near their house, she had come down with an illness and wanted nothing more than to be with her mom while she recovered. She was asleep on Brandy’s shoulder as we sat down.
Their immediate family is made up of three – mom, dad and daughter. Miriam is almost four and excited for her Shimmer ‘n’ Shine birthday party coming up. Brandy says becoming a parent was never something she thought about until they got married. She comes from a military family and moved around a lot until her best friend of 25 years convinced her to move back to Alberta – in the condo next door was an acquaintance that eventually become Brandy’s husband.
When they found out they were expecting Miriam, Brandy was reluctant to slow her work as a controller at a local company. She described a sense of anxiety about going onto maternity leave. This really resonated with me as I also experienced anxiety about entering parenthood. I think a lot of moms and dads have a sense of what they want their lives to look like as parents and that comes with anticipation before you have children. But once they arrive, things can be different than expected.
Then she said this: “Parenting has be the single most important job I have ever had or ever will have. I love being a parent and love watching my child grow into an amazing self-sufficient, independent, strong-willed, smart, caring little girl.”
Around this point, Miriam woke up and despite being sick was downright charming, clever and sage. Her and her mother share a way of smiling with their eyes. I asked about the things she likes and the top picks were gymnastics, swimming and ballet (obviously in addition to Shimmer ‘n’ Shine and Paw Patrol). She adamantly declared her loved for baton twirling when Brandi was trying to explain that was an activity Miriam did not take to. Her small hand twirled about as she spoke, delicately decorated with beautiful henna that she had received at a recent fair.
Miriam’s parents love to introduce broad experiences to Miriam, checking out different shows, educational adventures and outdoor activities. They have a trailer and spend a lot of time camping, exploring new areas together. They have some close-knit and closely-located family and friends, which makes parenting a whole lot easier.
It is amazing to watch a mom and daughter interact – Brandy was both patient and fun, treating Miriam with a respect that showed she valued what her little girl was saying. Miriam was a little unsure of me so stuck close to Brandy, but liked to share little tidbits and flash a bright smile when I said something she thought was funny. I was pleased to hear that she disclosed to her mom I was ‘nice’ when I went to grab a drink – I have a feeling Miriam wins over a lot of friends, little and big, all the time.
I asked Brandy what things she looked for when they wanted to find a child care partner so she could pursue work again. She said it had always been the plan; they wanted to expose Miriam to social experiences, structure and the chance to develop relationships with other adults. Kids & Company was a spot they checked out early on as it was within walking distance to their home, had flexible schedules and a good reputation.
“The most appealing thing for us was the food. Phenomenal. We thought the facility was bright and clean and although active, lacked the sense of chaos we saw in other centres.” The camera access and extent of the programming was another feature they didn’t see elsewhere. Kids & Company, started up over 15 years ago by two parents who wanted more out of a child care option, are all about the details that go into a place children love and today’s busy parents can rely on.
Miriam added that she liked her teachers at school which made me smile, because I knew from the Director at her centre that the feeling is mutual – like all the kids we have the pleasure of nurturing and developing, Miriam’s unique personality adds something special to our community.
A heartfelt thank you to the Jarvis family for offering up their time and energy to talk to us about the experience of parenting and their story! (And get well soon Miriam!)
By: Melissa Sawatzky
Melissa lives in Calgary and is the Community Marketing Manager for Kids & Company in Alberta and BC. Her vision of what she would be like as a mom was shattered years ago when she discovered nothing ever goes as planned for parents, but laughter and community sees you through. You can reach her at msawatzky@kidsandcompany.com.
Posted on: Thursday May 11th, 2017
Posted by: Melissa Sawatzky
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Pine Village JP Revere, by Kids & Company
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Crayon College, by Kids & Company
Tyke Town Lake St. Louis, by Kids & Company
ABC Lake St. Louis, by Kids & Company
Kids World
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Apple Hill Academy Manalapan by Kids & Company
119 Avenue, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Dewdney House (Infant/Toddler and 3-5), Part of the Kids & Company Family
Dewdney Church (Preschool/OSC/3-5), Part of the Kids & Company Family
Edge, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Webster’s Corner, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Harry Hooge, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Alouette, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Silver Valley, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Whonnock, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Under The Sun Marlton, part of the Kids & Company Family
Sweet Kiddles Medina, part of the Kids & Company Family
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Lougheed, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Stave Falls, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Briskham, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Robert Speck Parkway
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Pine Village Needham, by Kids & Company
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Pine Village West Newton, by Kids & Company
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ABC O’Fallon, by Kids & Company
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Under The Sun Stratford, part of the Kids & Company Family
Sweet Kiddles Strongsville, part of the Kids & Company Family
Morgan Crossing
Surrey Professional Centre
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Brightstart Cloverdale, by Kids & Company
Sylvan Lake
Bloor Christie
Bloor (Bloor St. East)
Consumers
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Front
Scotia Plaza
Stockyards
St. Andrew’s Church
Liberty Village
Rosedale
Queen West
Tyke Town Troy, by Kids & Company
Vancouver West
Cambie
Langford
Victoria
Walpole South
Waterdown
Tech Town
Under The Sun West Deptford, part of the Kids & Company Family
West Quincy
Sweet Kiddles Westlake, part of the Kids & Company Family
Whitby
ABC Kiddie Kampus East Mountain, by Kids & Company
Winnipeg
West York
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Keystone Early Learning Academy, part of the Kids & Company Family
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Sweet Kiddles Avon Lake, part of the Kids & Company Family
Abington
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Sweet Kiddles Beachwood, part of the Kids & Company Family
Bedford (Dellridge Lane)
Larry Uteck (Southgate Dr)
Pine Village South End, by Kids & Company
Braintree 1
Braintree 2
Brampton
Pine Village Brighton, by Kids & Company
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Burlington Children’s Centre
Burloak
Appleby
Beacon Hill
Brightstart Burnaby, by Kids & Company
Bow Trail
Livingston
Midlake
Millrise
Royal Oak
Britannia Crossing
Marda Loop
Evanston
Beltline
Aviation Crossing
Gulf Canada Square
Royal Oak Out of School Care and Child Care
Glendeer: New – Open for Enrollment
Pine Village Kendall Square, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Porter Square, by Kids & Company
Canton
Jackson
Lincoln Park
Harrison
West Loop
Fulton
Sweet Kiddles University Circle, part of the Kids & Company Family
Cochrane
Brightstart Coquitlam, by Kids & Company
Dartmouth
Dover
Walpole North
Eastern Passage
Ellerslie
Edmonton Ice District
Baturyn
Diamond
Friendly Frog
Meadowlark Park
St. Charles
St. Dominic
Sunshine Factory
Tamarack
Jagare Ridge
Horse Hill
Fraser
Century Park: New – Open for Enrollment
Islington
Etobicoke (Bloor & Islington)
ABC Kiddie Kampus Exeter, by Kids & Company
Apple Hill Academy Freehold by Kids & Company
Halifax
Hamilton
Hammonds Plains
Route 39
Schaffner
Swatara
Apple Hill Academy Howell by Kids & Company
Sweet Kiddles Hudson, part of the Kids & Company Family
Hummelstown
Pine Village JP Revere, by Kids & Company
Pine Village JP South Street, by Kids & Company
Kamloops
Eagleson (South Kanata)
Crayon College, by Kids & Company
Tyke Town Lake St. Louis, by Kids & Company
ABC Lake St. Louis, by Kids & Company
Kids World
Langley (200th St.)
London Richmond
Sackville
Apple Hill Academy Manalapan by Kids & Company
119 Avenue, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Dewdney House (Infant/Toddler and 3-5), Part of the Kids & Company Family
Dewdney Church (Preschool/OSC/3-5), Part of the Kids & Company Family
Edge, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Webster’s Corner, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Harry Hooge, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Alouette, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Silver Valley, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Whonnock, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Under The Sun Marlton, part of the Kids & Company Family
Sweet Kiddles Medina, part of the Kids & Company Family
Milton
Lougheed, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Stave Falls, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Briskham, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Robert Speck Parkway
Mississauga Gateway Centre
Nanaimo
Pine Village Needham, by Kids & Company
Ottawa Barrhaven
New Westminster
Pine Village West Newton, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Newton Highlands, by Kids & Company
North Vancouver
North Van Esplanade
O’Fallon South
ABC O’Fallon, by Kids & Company
Oakville Cornwall
Oakville Dundas
Joshua Creek
Oakville West (3471 Wyecroft Rd)
Okotoks
ABC Kiddie Kampus Old Forge, by Kids & Company
Ottawa Albert
Ottawa Westboro
Palmyra
ABC Kiddie Kampus Pittston, by Kids & Company
Brightstart Port Coquitlam, by Kids & Company
Port Moody
Marina Bay
Randolph
Red Deer
Richmond
Head Office
Schaumburg
Sherwood Park
St. Albert North
St. Albert Grandin
ABC St. Charles, by Kids & Company
Tyke Town St. Peters, by Kids & Company
ABC St. Peters, by Kids & Company
Stoney Creek
Under The Sun Stratford, part of the Kids & Company Family
Sweet Kiddles Strongsville, part of the Kids & Company Family
Morgan Crossing
Surrey Professional Centre
King George
Brightstart Cloverdale, by Kids & Company
Sylvan Lake
Bloor Christie
Bloor (Bloor St. East)
Consumers
Finch
Front
Scotia Plaza
Stockyards
St. Andrew’s Church
Liberty Village
Rosedale
Queen West
Tyke Town Troy, by Kids & Company
Vancouver West
Cambie
Langford
Victoria
Walpole South
Waterdown
Tech Town
Under The Sun West Deptford, part of the Kids & Company Family
West Quincy
Sweet Kiddles Westlake, part of the Kids & Company Family
Whitby
ABC Kiddie Kampus East Mountain, by Kids & Company
Winnipeg
West York
Queen Street
Keystone Early Learning Academy, part of the Kids & Company Family