HOW DO YOU DO IT?
by Lisa Henderson

How do you do it? In the past two years, I have been asked this question more times than I can count. When I was suddenly a single mom of two young children, going to college full time, with no job and no income, I was asked. As a single mom, going to college, with just a part time job and no child support, I was asked. As a single mom, working full time and going to college full time, I was asked. During this time, I also achieved a weight loss of fifty pounds; again, I was asked.

Today, I am still a single mom. I am also a proud college graduate with a B.S. degree in Child Development. I'm now a homeowner and I operate a Registered Home Daycare. My group of children consists of several newborns, two toddlers, two preschoolers, and a few after schoolers. My own two children are ages four and eight. I work five days a week; my first child arrives at 7:00a.m. and my last child leaves at 11:30p.m. I am still constantly asked, How do you do it? I guess I've decided that the answer to the question is, I have no idea. I can't tell you how I do it. I can tell you why I do it, though.

I do it because I want my son and daughter to see that no matter how bad your life situation may seem, there is always something better ahead. I do it because I want to feel proud of myself and my accomplishments. I want my family and my children to feel pride in what I have achieved. I do it because the impression I make on my own children matters. I do it for me, I do it for my children, I do it for the children in my care. I do it because I have a genuine love for all children.

I do it because I can. I do it because there is no greater joy than my own children telling me that I'm the best mom in the world. I do it because I want my children to see that success is not someplace to go, but something to enjoy working towards each day. I do it because the profession in life that I have chosen makes a difference. I do it because I want each child in my care to somehow touch the world in a special way, and I want to know I helped that child to do it.

I do it because someone, somehow has to pay the bills. I do it because I'd rather pay the bills by doing something I truly love. I do it because I like taking care of myself and not having to depend on someone else to take care of my future. I do it so I have the money to buy my own children wonderful things and take them wonderful places. I do it because I enjoy my work immensely.

I do it because I'd rather be sitting on my carpet reading Dr. Seuss to wide-eyed preschoolers than sitting in traffic with bleary-eyed road hogs. I do it because I'd rather wear jeans with finger-paint decorations than pantyhose with elephant ankles. I do it because I prefer face-paint to Cover Girl. I do it because anytime I need a hug, all I have to do is smile at one of the children and it's freely given to me. I do it because even the most challenging, aggressive children become beautiful, peaceful angels at nap time. I do it because it's a joy to hear a child figure out what reading is all about. I do it because it thrills me to see a child show compassion toward another child. I do it because when children say I love you I know they are telling the truth.

I do it because I want to. I do it because I love it. I do it because I can. I do it because I like to see others amazed at what I can do. I do it because I like to amaze myself, too. Often, life throws a curve ball my way. I have several choices; I can let it hit me hard and knock me out, I can duck down and miss the action, or I can reach up with enthusiasm to catch it knowing that my team will cheer me on. I choose to catch, even though I sometimes drop the ball, because I know why I do it.