A Mother's Choice: Finding the Perfect Balance in Child Care and Career – By Brittany Nielsen

Becoming a new mom was one of the most beautiful yet overwhelming experiences of my life. The thought of leaving my baby in a center with strangers filled me with anxiety and doubt—even though I was a teacher myself, I just couldn’t do it. On top of that, the cost of infant care was impossible; my entire paycheck would have gone toward tuition, leaving me working just to afford child care. It didn’t make sense.

So, I made the difficult decision not to return to teaching. While I cherished my time at home with my baby, a part of me missed being in the classroom. Then, an opportunity came that changed everything—a child care center 45 minutes away from my home asked me to be their infant teacher and bring my child with me at no cost. Despite the long commute, I couldn’t pass it up. It meant being with my baby in a loving, nurturing environment while still doing what I loved.

Yes, I took a tremendous pay cut, but what I gained was priceless. I got to spend every day with my child, nurture other little ones, and still be a part of early childhood education.

Would I do it all over again? Without a doubt. ❤️

This experience not only shaped my career but also deepened my passion for supporting families who face the same tough choices. I know firsthand how hard it is to trust others with your child, and now, as a leader in early childhood education, I strive to create an environment where parents feel safe, heard, and supported—because I’ve been in their shoes.