July 9, 2025 • 28 mins
Dive into episode 19 of The Family of One Podcast for a heartwarming journey through the milestones of my 8-year-old daughter's growth! From her first Sunday school nursery visits to meet new friends, her exciting preschool debut, to her triumphant bike-riding moment, I hope they’re relatable in some way. Join us for a podcast filled with love, laughter, and mom iron-man moments!
Loved this Family of One episode? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite platform! Share with an only-child mom to spread the joy. Your support grows our community!
🎁Take the Mom and Daughter Connection Quiz
✨Get your free Jumpstart Field Trip Template, a simple, joyful tool to help you plan meaningful outings and connect with your child.
Bonus: When you take the quiz, you'll also join the waitlist for my upcoming book, designed to help moms introduce periods with confidence and connection
By Foa Comment. “Spring Children Story” (WeVideo). Contact: joyfulgathersco@hotmail.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
UNKNOWN (00:00):
Bye.
SPEAKER_00 (00:04):
Hi amazing Only Child Mums, I'm 4 Comment, your
part-time working mum friend wholoves Yahweh, family and fun.
Welcome to the family of onewhere we share joys and
adventures of raising an onlychild.
Expect relatable stories,parenting laughs and faithful
(00:25):
tips.
Let's make small family lifeenjoyable.
Woohoo! Welcome back to theFamily of One podcast.
I'm Fawn and I'm so glad you'rehere today.
Today I want to dive into fromtoddler to big kids.
I want to talk about some of themilestones that I have learned
(00:47):
as Olivia is growing up throughthe different stages.
And it has taught me so much.
So for example...
When she was a toddler, a baby,and at that time I was a
full-time stay-at-home mom, andmy husband, he's working
full-time.
I did have help from mygrandparents, my husband, his
(01:10):
grandparents, and his mom anddad.
But for the most part, I waswith her a lot, which meant that
if she's with me, She isclinging on to me like I cling
on to my bag of chips.
and chocolates so she when wewould go to different places
(01:33):
like family events church eventsdifferent gatherings or you're
just going out with friends ingeneral you know to dinner
different places you know I'malways holding her and she
wouldn't always go to her fatherlike if we sat together she will
want to be close to me and if Isaid oh you can take someone
would say you know I can hold onto or take her she'll be like ah
(01:55):
you know fussing a little bitshe's like oh fussing.
She was like, no, she didn'teven want to go to her father
most times when she was a baby.
It was just her and I.
And then I realized, you knowwhat?
It is nice if people hold her orif people, if she went to other
people, because then I couldhave a break.
(02:16):
I can literally eat my own foodor it's just nice.
I don't know if you're at thatstage, but for me, I started
just being mindful and I had tolet go too.
I mean, it did absolutely.
And I mean, absolutely warmed myheart when she, I don't know,
maybe I didn't want her to go toother people, but when she came
(02:38):
to me, I was like, yeah, I washer favorite.
But then I was like, okay, I'mfavorite, but I'm kind of tired.
I want her to go to otherpeople.
Yeah.
So I started being, I startedpracticing because at my church,
we have a nursery.
We have Sunday school classesand in the Sunday school
(02:59):
classes, we have nursery.
And if you're wondering anursery, that's where you can
take your little ones and itgoes up from baby to two years
old.
We have different ages anddifferent stages we offer.
So during the church service,you're welcome.
If you would like the parent,you would take your little one
(03:19):
and And in our nursery, there'sage-appropriate toys and things
for them to play with.
And then you have yourvolunteers, adults, and then
we've all been given trainingand everything.
they're in a secure safeenvironment and so if you want
to take your baby there duringthe church services then you can
(03:44):
and then afterwards you go andget your child or even if you
just want to go there for alittle bit um and then you can
always i mean you can alwayspick up your child even if
services are finished so ithought you know what we do have
this you know, available forthose parents who would like to
listen and sit in the serviceand have your child, you know,
(04:11):
have someone else mind yourchild, look after your child for
a little bit.
So the first time I tried that,I went over and I was like, is
she going to be okay?
And I know the adults who arelooking after because very good
friends and And I was like,she's in a safe place.
And as soon as I took her to thebeautiful room, and I say
(04:34):
beautiful because each Sundayschool room, they really are
mindful of the environment forthe child, for the children.
And I took her and she was like,no.
And she was crying.
And I was like, oh, it's okay.
And then I I took her back andwe took her back inside the
service.
(04:55):
And then I thought, I'll trynext Sunday.
So I went back.
And as soon as I started goingto the room, she was crying.
She was like, mom.
And so we're like, no.
And then this time, Jeremy, hetook her.
I think he took her too.
He was holding on.
And she must have known becauseas soon as we start walking in
(05:15):
the corridor, the place where wetake you, she was like, no way.
yeah and I was cracking up I waslike because I didn't go with
him this time I was like you goand take her because if I go
there's no way because once shecries once again I'm going to
just hold on to her and so andit really wasn't a big deal for
(05:38):
me to to take her back I justwanted to honestly just have a
little break so I thought mygoodness I've been with her
Monday every day and it's justnice just to Have someone mind
her for a little bit.
And could Jeremy have taken her?
Yeah, he could, but he justwanted to sit inside.
(05:59):
And you can sit inside with yourchild too in the service.
But it was hilarious.
And the teacher, there was a momand she was volunteering.
She was a grandparent.
And she said, it's okay.
You know, she's in a safe place.
It's all right.
Do you want her to fast a littlebit?
Or, you know, we can hold her.
(06:20):
And they always hold your child.
you know, until they'recomfortable.
They're really good.
And she said, do you want me towait for like a minute?
Or would you want me to call astraighter or just, you know,
come and get her after a fewminutes?
And I said, well, I wonder.
(06:41):
Because I would go each Sunday,come back, go Sunday.
And then they said, it's okay.
So Here's a hilarious thing.
So I think it was the fourthSunday it took her.
And once again, she was fussing.
And then I think it was abouttwo minutes and she wasn't
crying, crying.
They said, you know, she waslike, mommy, mommy.
(07:02):
But I think they timed it forlike a few minutes and then she
stopped and then she juststarted playing.
Like they read books to her andthere was other children and
there's bubbles and, you know,there's things that they can
play on.
I mean, and so I was like, oh,so they, she did okay.
And they said, oh yeah, that'sfine.
(07:23):
And it was only really about 20to 30 minutes.
And I was thinking, oh, so thatwhat really taught me was in
that moment, it was good for meto let go because one thing,
She's in a safe place again.
Two, I know the people.
And three, I volunteered thereas well.
Like I was a nursery volunteer.
(07:45):
So I knew that.
What happens to parents, to momsor mom and dads and their child
is, you know, a little bituncomfortable and they want mom
and dad so much, but the parentsare saying, it's okay, just for
a little bit.
If he fusses or my child fusses,child and, you know, just come
and get me, which we do.
(08:05):
It's just up to the parent.
And some other parents are like,no, just let them fuss.
They'll be fine.
UNKNOWN (08:11):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (08:12):
That, okay, because they knew they would stop
crying.
But anytime a child didn't cryand we're holding, holding on to
them, you know, we always gotthe parents.
So there's, you know, adifference from different
parents and what they'rewanting.
But that is what I learned.
It took me the fifth goal.
And then I thought, I felt likereally guilty because I thought,
(08:33):
am I a good parent?
Like when I would hear her cry,you know, am I doing well?
Like, should I make her cry?
I am feeling like the mom guilt,like, oh, no, this child should
never cry.
I don't know if you have saidthat to yourself, but that's
what I was saying.
And my husband, he's like,she'll be fine.
(08:54):
I mean, he was really strong.
She can do it.
She's fine.
Once again, she's in a safeplace.
We know these people.
We trust these people.
We've all gone through thetraining, and you're a volunteer
nursery person as well.
And they all have police checks.
I mean, our churches,absolutely, they take it very
seriously, and we're safe andeverything.
(09:16):
And I was like, yeah, she'sfine.
And so...
Eventually, when I kept doing ita lot, she just stopped crying.
She looked forward to it.
When it came to nursery, she waslike, yeah, I get to go play
with certain toys because thegood thing about it, there were
toys there that she absolutelyloved that we didn't have at
(09:38):
home.
And other too, she got to playwith other little kids, which
she started to get to know them.
And then she liked, she startedbeing familiar with the nursery
teachers.
So that was really, really good.
really goes.
And the next learning stages,the learning stages when she
went to her preschool and we hadan opportunity for her to go to
(10:03):
a preschool that was 10 minutesaway from our home, which was
really good, 10 minutes drive.
But at the time when I signedher up for this preschool, I
think the school wasn't open.
It was like a school break.
But I, knowing her becauseDuring our little local
(10:24):
adventures field trip groups,now that's when I would take you
to different field trips arounda community.
I just noticed before sheparticipated in an activity or,
you know, if there was somethingthat they want the children to
go to, hands on, smell, touchand everything, she would just
wait.
(10:45):
and just watch what the otherkids were doing first, and then
she would go ahead and do it.
So I knew, okay, she's probablynot going to, once again, just
go on in, and she's never beento this location before.
She'd rather just have a bitmore information.
At the time, this school, thispreschool, was located in a
(11:05):
church building, but the school,the classrooms, was in the
basement of the church.
So I I called the pastor of thechurch.
Well, at first I called thechurch and I spoke to the
secretary and the pastor.
And I said that, you know, I'm amom and my daughter's coming to
this school.
And I also wrote to theprincipal.
(11:26):
So I wrote to the principal,emailed, spoke to the principal,
spoke to the secretary of thechurch and the church.
And I explained to them that I'ma mom who has a child who's
going to attend this school thefollowing school year.
But the school's closed.
Is there a way that I couldjust...
bring my child to the church andthen she can walk down the
(11:48):
hallway just to see and look inher classroom.
She does not have to go insidethe classroom.
She can just look and see andthen she knows.
And I explained why.
I said, just for a good firstday of school.
So she's not sure why.
And even though I noticed youcan talk about it and you can
(12:09):
explain, like I could have justsaid, waited like, oh yeah,
there goes your school overthere, but she doesn't, and then
I could just verbally tell her,mommy's going to drop you off,
and mommy's, mom and dad's goingto walk you to the gate, and
then you're going to go through.
I'm like, for Olivia, because Ihave an opportunity, I could
just ask the principal and thepastor, and they all said yes.
(12:36):
They said that's fine.
So when I I went and then Jeremyand I, we took her and they were
so kind.
I think it was the secretary shemet us because she went during
the day.
And then she said, well, thechildren, there's two interests.
entrance and she said they'recoming through this door then
(12:57):
they go down to the basement soshe was showing us and then she
said there's your classroom andshe kindly opened up the door
she's like and this is yourclassroom here this is where
you'll be going and Olivia'slike looking she was like okay
that's really she was likesoaking it in so it was really
good now I don't know if you getto have those type of
(13:18):
opportunities but if you have anopportunity where you you know,
if your child is going to aschool or maybe a preschool, and
if you're able to do, and youknow your child, like, you know,
I really want to show them thelocation.
And if you can get anopportunity just to take them,
just to show them where it is,what it looks like getting out
(13:42):
of the car, walking to the gate,opening up the door, you're
walking and showing them exactlywhere their class is, it's going
to be okay.
And I know that's not going tobe you know, available all the
time because things happen andsometimes you just don't, you're
not able to get access.
But mine, I always say ask.
If they said no, that's fine.
(14:02):
But if they said yes, at least Iasked.
It doesn't hurt to ask.
So it was good.
So once we got there and then Ishowed her there because this
location, her school, we wouldalways have to pass it anyway
because it's in town.
We would just go, remember,you're going to this school and
how we walk through the door andthen you hang your bag up and
(14:23):
they showed you where yourclassroom.
So when it came to the firstday, we were ready.
Yeah.
Really, I was crying.
And I was kind of like waitinglike, woman, if she cries.
But she was fine.
She knew the drill.
She knew exactly where to go,what it looked like, and where
to put her bag.
And it was just so good.
(14:45):
I mean, and then when I saidgoodbye to her, I stopped and
then I said to my husband, youknow, maybe I should just, and
there's this big tree, maybe Ishould just wait by the tree.
He goes, and do what?
be a creeper?
I don't think so.
He goes, go home.
(15:06):
And this is how funny it is.
She was only gone for an hourand a half and she was 10
minutes away.
I mean, hello.
What's it called?
I don't know.
Oh my goodness.
And I was telling my otherfriends, they were laughing.
I was like, oh, I turned backand I thought I heard a mommy.
No, that was just me.
UNKNOWN (15:26):
And
SPEAKER_00 (15:27):
That's how hilarious, yes, moms, I am when
it came to her first preschoolday.
Now, maybe your day wasdifferent.
Maybe yours was more adventurousor maybe yours were like, oh,
no, no, no, no.
But I have some friends who didnot send their kids to
(15:47):
preschool.
Now, I sent mine to preschoolbecause I needed a break.
Now, isn't that hilarious?
I'm like, needed a break.
And she was a really good kid.
So you're wondering, a break?
You make out like she's fullhands on.
She's really not.
But I thought, you know what?
I just need a break for an hourand a half.
And it's only 10 minutes away.
And it's going to be fine.
(16:09):
So yeah, so when I picked herup, oh my goodness, the first
day, the first day too, I went,and you could tell the other
first day, first day mamas andparents because we're all were
there like probably 15 minutesearly just waiting for the kids
to come out hilarious i tell youand um oh it's just so nice and
(16:32):
she did enjoy it and then um sowhen she started school uh one
you know once again it was justfine and going to, we took her
to the location and she was ableto go and see her class because
they had, I think they have likefirst, they have rounders,
something like kindergarten,kindergarten rounders.
(16:55):
I think that's what they callit.
So she enjoyed it.
Well, actually, at the time whenshe was going to the school now,
there was a preschool.
So, Because of COVID, shestarted before COVID.
And then during COVID, likeeverything shut down.
And so she was back at home.
And then after that, we went toa school.
(17:20):
And yeah, we found anotherschool.
And so she enjoyed that as wellbecause some of her classmates
from that preschool just went tothe school where she's going
now.
And that was amazing.
So she's been there ever sincepreschool, second part of her
preschool.
You know, she's third grade.
(17:40):
She's eight years old.
That is so awesome.
So it's so interesting.
You know, as, you know, yourkid, that embracing life, new
experiences and like growing upand You know, we're celebrating
different milestones and, youknow, they are growing up with
(18:01):
confidence, with joy and love.
There's a lot you learn from notonly that learning, but you're
learning as well.
And another one that I can thinkof is her wanting to learn how
to ride a bike.
Now, there are some things I'mreally good at teaching her, but
there's other things as well.
That's why I'm so, I'm reallythankful for my husband.
(18:24):
He teaches her how other thingsthat I'm thinking like I know it
but I'm not really good atteaching it just explaining it
and riding bike was one of themand so I tell you what and
honestly because I for me to runbehind her like I was thinking
oh my goodness I don't want tokeep running behind her holding
(18:46):
on to the bike and you can havetricycles where you have those
little wheels so we got that aswell And then there's another
one where a bike, and I forgotwhat it's called, you don't have
the wheels, and so they justbalance them.
Is it a strider?
I don't know what that's calledas well, but we didn't get that,
and I don't know why we didbalance it.
(19:07):
We got a bike, and they said youcan take the wheels off
specifically for that, or youcan put the wheels on, and it's
fine.
So we got, my husband and I, hetaught her how to ride, and just
seeing them, you know, go outthere.
And I think, I can't rememberwhat age, maybe it was at three
(19:28):
or four, she started learninghow to ride.
And I know we have neighborsacross the road and their kid
was a lot younger riding.
But she started at that age.
And I remember watching her justgetting frustrated because, you
know, just with wanting to do iton her own.
And even though she had wheels,you know, she had the training
(19:51):
wheels.
Yeah, she had training wheels.
And then when it came to timeto, she felt confident to take
them off, you know, it didn'tend well.
She would fall and then we putthem back on.
And so I tell you what, she'snow eight and it took a few
years for her and my husband tobe consistent.
And then as she's getting, Ithink she may be about six.
(20:15):
was it six close to seven myhusband he's a lot smaller than
me and he bought a bike and thenI don't know how he got up but
he got on the bike and so he'spedaling on the bike and I think
she's standing up or he's bikingbehind her so he's she's sitting
(20:36):
on the seat and And I didn'tknow how, but he's staring at
it.
I didn't know how, but then Iwas thinking, one, how are you
able to get on the bike andpedal at the same time?
Oh, she's pedaling.
I don't know, but it washilarious until I'm like, he's
going to get us all back.
He's going to the chiropractor.
(20:56):
But guess what?
this year with a lot ofconsistency with my husband
being so consistent during thesummer and teaching and teaching
and teaching.
This man, I tell you what, hemay not always do the laundry,
but he sure makes up to it withcertain activities with Olivia.
She is now riding a bike and shecan ride a bike on her own so
(21:20):
much that I think last week wedid about eight miles and I I
couldn't believe it that she dideight miles.
I mean, I couldn't believe thatI did eight miles myself.
I mean, I had to change my bikebecause I had a– back in the
day, I did Ironman.
(21:42):
And I did Ironman, like, local.
I mean, I did not do, like,national level.
I did it on the local level.
And this is hilarious because–For example, I think there was
three local competitions and mygoal was to do three a year at
that stage.
And this is before I had Oliviabecause I wanted to get in
(22:02):
shape.
I wanted to be healthy.
I wanted to have a baby.
So I was going through thishealth, you know, find a sport
that I love and I'll just giveit a go just to say I did it.
So I would do three.
I think I did three.
And then two of the events,right, I won, right?
in my age.
And I think there was three ofus.
(22:23):
There was like 200 people.
And I told myself, as long as Idon't come last out of the big
group.
But there was like four 40 yearolds.
So there was four of us.
And I think it went from 40 tolike 55, for example.
And I came first in my event.
(22:44):
And because I did not know, whenI finished my event and it came
to the awards, hello, I wenthome.
I didn't even think about ituntil I looked at my results.
And then I realized, oh, mygoodness, I won in my age group.
How amazing is that?
So I tell you, and this is thefunny part.
(23:06):
I am not a good swimmer.
Like I can swim, but I am not afantastic swimmer.
So when it came to the swimming,I knew enough not to go first
because that's when you get hit.
You got like a hundred and somepeople all diving into the water
trying to get out.
Well, hello, I go, but my arms,I got to the deep end swim and
(23:31):
then I, oh my goodness, talkabout one time I went swimming,
right?
right go out as you do swim hardand then I got tired so I'm
floating on my back and Ipracticed a lot I seriously guys
I practiced a lot and in thepool like when you're practicing
indoor swimming there's linesbecause you look up and you can
see the lights well I looked upin the sky and I was like oh my
(23:54):
goodness what am I going tofollow well I somehow drifted
off from everybody else in therace and there was a canoe that
came up and they're like, ma'am,ma'am.
And I went, oh my goodness,what's this canoe here?
And the guy goes, the persongoes, you have drifted.
You're not swimming witheverybody.
(24:17):
Somehow you took a long likeright turn or something.
That is too hilarious.
And so, of course, he helped me.
I had to get back on track witheverybody else.
But then as soon as my footcould touch the ground, I
started running because I couldrun faster underwater than
swimming.
(24:37):
And it looks so funny becausecan you imagine now if you saw a
person and their head isbopping, like across the water
and they're moving.
Like I seriously, I was beatingpeople that were swimming
because I'm running.
And I thought, wait a minute, itmight look weird that I don't
(25:01):
have my arms are not moving.
So I would just pretend, I wouldpretend like I'm using my arms,
but I'm really not.
I am power running under thatwater.
And I passed some people.
So what does that say about myrunning underwater?
Fabulous.
So then after the swimming,right, for Ironman, and then you
(25:22):
bike.
And I love biking.
Biking is my thing.
I mean, I tell you, I don't knowwhy.
I think it's easier on my legs.
And so that's why with thebiking, I did that.
And then the running.
Talk about, oh, my goodness.
And a photographer on one of theevents took my photo and And as
(25:43):
they do, they post different,you know, like, oh, Iron Man,
local, blah, blah, blah.
And then they showcase somepeople.
My face, it looked like I amtaking a poo or something.
It does not look charming.
And my husband, and, of course,they put it on Facebook.
They put it on some event,right, because they're just,
like, celebrating the event andpeople who are participating.
UNKNOWN (26:07):
Wow.
SPEAKER_00 (26:07):
My husband, he was laughing so much.
He was like, oh my goodness,look at your face.
It is hilarious.
If I could find it, I willsomehow like track it somewhere
because it's hilarious.
I thought, oh my goodness, thosewere the Ironman days.
So my strategy, what I made whenit came to the running, because
(26:28):
my biking, I made up for theswimming.
And then I knew with my biking,I had to get as quick as
possible because the running isgoing to kill me.
So I would like, and you're onthe street, so I would run, and
then the next pole would walk,and the next, you know, pole,
was it, the street light, Iwould walk, you know, ranso or
(26:50):
mailbox, I would just have mymarkers and I would just do that
run, walk, run, walk.
But of course, when I'm, youknow, if there was people I was
running, just, you know, just toshow that I can run.
Well, I just want to say aftersharing that moment about my
face.
We can now all ride bikes, ourbikes together.
(27:12):
And it is so wonderful thatshe's at that stage.
And man, because I got to be atthat stage riding a bike.
So I...
am so happy that we now sharethat experience and we're having
so much fun my husband and I andmy daughter we're all riding
together so if you have anystories or moments or child
(27:34):
milestone moments that you wantto share send me an email at
joyfulgathers at hotmail.comthat's joyfulgathers at
hotmail.com or if you want totext it to me and just share
with the group that is sowonderful I just want to Thank
you for joining me on thismilestone, you know, adventure.
(27:54):
I'm going to give a shout out tomy listeners in Connecticut.
So thank you very much to mylistener who listened to the
last episode of Watego,Connecticut.
And also want to give a shoutout to the countries that for my
listeners in the United States,United Kingdom, Maldives and
(28:15):
Malaysia.
I really appreciate you allcelebrating and listening to the
Family of One podcast.
This is for your friend and I'mlooking forward to catching you
in the next episode onWednesday.
Bye.
Bye.
SPEAKER_00 (00:04):
Hi amazing Only Child Mums, I'm 4 Comment, your
part-time working mum friend wholoves Yahweh, family and fun.
Welcome to the family of onewhere we share joys and
adventures of raising an onlychild.
Expect relatable stories,parenting laughs and faithful
(00:25):
tips.
Let's make small family lifeenjoyable.
Woohoo! Welcome back to theFamily of One podcast.
I'm Fawn and I'm so glad you'rehere today.
Today I want to dive into fromtoddler to big kids.
I want to talk about some of themilestones that I have learned
(00:47):
as Olivia is growing up throughthe different stages.
And it has taught me so much.
So for example...
When she was a toddler, a baby,and at that time I was a
full-time stay-at-home mom, andmy husband, he's working
full-time.
I did have help from mygrandparents, my husband, his
(01:10):
grandparents, and his mom anddad.
But for the most part, I waswith her a lot, which meant that
if she's with me, She isclinging on to me like I cling
on to my bag of chips.
and chocolates so she when wewould go to different places
(01:33):
like family events church eventsdifferent gatherings or you're
just going out with friends ingeneral you know to dinner
different places you know I'malways holding her and she
wouldn't always go to her fatherlike if we sat together she will
want to be close to me and if Isaid oh you can take someone
would say you know I can hold onto or take her she'll be like ah
(01:55):
you know fussing a little bitshe's like oh fussing.
She was like, no, she didn'teven want to go to her father
most times when she was a baby.
It was just her and I.
And then I realized, you knowwhat?
It is nice if people hold her orif people, if she went to other
people, because then I couldhave a break.
(02:16):
I can literally eat my own foodor it's just nice.
I don't know if you're at thatstage, but for me, I started
just being mindful and I had tolet go too.
I mean, it did absolutely.
And I mean, absolutely warmed myheart when she, I don't know,
maybe I didn't want her to go toother people, but when she came
(02:38):
to me, I was like, yeah, I washer favorite.
But then I was like, okay, I'mfavorite, but I'm kind of tired.
I want her to go to otherpeople.
Yeah.
So I started being, I startedpracticing because at my church,
we have a nursery.
We have Sunday school classesand in the Sunday school
(02:59):
classes, we have nursery.
And if you're wondering anursery, that's where you can
take your little ones and itgoes up from baby to two years
old.
We have different ages anddifferent stages we offer.
So during the church service,you're welcome.
If you would like the parent,you would take your little one
(03:19):
and And in our nursery, there'sage-appropriate toys and things
for them to play with.
And then you have yourvolunteers, adults, and then
we've all been given trainingand everything.
they're in a secure safeenvironment and so if you want
to take your baby there duringthe church services then you can
(03:44):
and then afterwards you go andget your child or even if you
just want to go there for alittle bit um and then you can
always i mean you can alwayspick up your child even if
services are finished so ithought you know what we do have
this you know, available forthose parents who would like to
listen and sit in the serviceand have your child, you know,
(04:11):
have someone else mind yourchild, look after your child for
a little bit.
So the first time I tried that,I went over and I was like, is
she going to be okay?
And I know the adults who arelooking after because very good
friends and And I was like,she's in a safe place.
And as soon as I took her to thebeautiful room, and I say
(04:34):
beautiful because each Sundayschool room, they really are
mindful of the environment forthe child, for the children.
And I took her and she was like,no.
And she was crying.
And I was like, oh, it's okay.
And then I I took her back andwe took her back inside the
service.
(04:55):
And then I thought, I'll trynext Sunday.
So I went back.
And as soon as I started goingto the room, she was crying.
She was like, mom.
And so we're like, no.
And then this time, Jeremy, hetook her.
I think he took her too.
He was holding on.
And she must have known becauseas soon as we start walking in
(05:15):
the corridor, the place where wetake you, she was like, no way.
yeah and I was cracking up I waslike because I didn't go with
him this time I was like you goand take her because if I go
there's no way because once shecries once again I'm going to
just hold on to her and so andit really wasn't a big deal for
(05:38):
me to to take her back I justwanted to honestly just have a
little break so I thought mygoodness I've been with her
Monday every day and it's justnice just to Have someone mind
her for a little bit.
And could Jeremy have taken her?
Yeah, he could, but he justwanted to sit inside.
(05:59):
And you can sit inside with yourchild too in the service.
But it was hilarious.
And the teacher, there was a momand she was volunteering.
She was a grandparent.
And she said, it's okay.
You know, she's in a safe place.
It's all right.
Do you want her to fast a littlebit?
Or, you know, we can hold her.
(06:20):
And they always hold your child.
you know, until they'recomfortable.
They're really good.
And she said, do you want me towait for like a minute?
Or would you want me to call astraighter or just, you know,
come and get her after a fewminutes?
And I said, well, I wonder.
(06:41):
Because I would go each Sunday,come back, go Sunday.
And then they said, it's okay.
So Here's a hilarious thing.
So I think it was the fourthSunday it took her.
And once again, she was fussing.
And then I think it was abouttwo minutes and she wasn't
crying, crying.
They said, you know, she waslike, mommy, mommy.
(07:02):
But I think they timed it forlike a few minutes and then she
stopped and then she juststarted playing.
Like they read books to her andthere was other children and
there's bubbles and, you know,there's things that they can
play on.
I mean, and so I was like, oh,so they, she did okay.
And they said, oh yeah, that'sfine.
(07:23):
And it was only really about 20to 30 minutes.
And I was thinking, oh, so thatwhat really taught me was in
that moment, it was good for meto let go because one thing,
She's in a safe place again.
Two, I know the people.
And three, I volunteered thereas well.
Like I was a nursery volunteer.
(07:45):
So I knew that.
What happens to parents, to momsor mom and dads and their child
is, you know, a little bituncomfortable and they want mom
and dad so much, but the parentsare saying, it's okay, just for
a little bit.
If he fusses or my child fusses,child and, you know, just come
and get me, which we do.
(08:05):
It's just up to the parent.
And some other parents are like,no, just let them fuss.
They'll be fine.
UNKNOWN (08:11):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (08:12):
That, okay, because they knew they would stop
crying.
But anytime a child didn't cryand we're holding, holding on to
them, you know, we always gotthe parents.
So there's, you know, adifference from different
parents and what they'rewanting.
But that is what I learned.
It took me the fifth goal.
And then I thought, I felt likereally guilty because I thought,
(08:33):
am I a good parent?
Like when I would hear her cry,you know, am I doing well?
Like, should I make her cry?
I am feeling like the mom guilt,like, oh, no, this child should
never cry.
I don't know if you have saidthat to yourself, but that's
what I was saying.
And my husband, he's like,she'll be fine.
(08:54):
I mean, he was really strong.
She can do it.
She's fine.
Once again, she's in a safeplace.
We know these people.
We trust these people.
We've all gone through thetraining, and you're a volunteer
nursery person as well.
And they all have police checks.
I mean, our churches,absolutely, they take it very
seriously, and we're safe andeverything.
(09:16):
And I was like, yeah, she'sfine.
And so...
Eventually, when I kept doing ita lot, she just stopped crying.
She looked forward to it.
When it came to nursery, she waslike, yeah, I get to go play
with certain toys because thegood thing about it, there were
toys there that she absolutelyloved that we didn't have at
(09:38):
home.
And other too, she got to playwith other little kids, which
she started to get to know them.
And then she liked, she startedbeing familiar with the nursery
teachers.
So that was really, really good.
really goes.
And the next learning stages,the learning stages when she
went to her preschool and we hadan opportunity for her to go to
(10:03):
a preschool that was 10 minutesaway from our home, which was
really good, 10 minutes drive.
But at the time when I signedher up for this preschool, I
think the school wasn't open.
It was like a school break.
But I, knowing her becauseDuring our little local
(10:24):
adventures field trip groups,now that's when I would take you
to different field trips arounda community.
I just noticed before sheparticipated in an activity or,
you know, if there was somethingthat they want the children to
go to, hands on, smell, touchand everything, she would just
wait.
(10:45):
and just watch what the otherkids were doing first, and then
she would go ahead and do it.
So I knew, okay, she's probablynot going to, once again, just
go on in, and she's never beento this location before.
She'd rather just have a bitmore information.
At the time, this school, thispreschool, was located in a
(11:05):
church building, but the school,the classrooms, was in the
basement of the church.
So I I called the pastor of thechurch.
Well, at first I called thechurch and I spoke to the
secretary and the pastor.
And I said that, you know, I'm amom and my daughter's coming to
this school.
And I also wrote to theprincipal.
(11:26):
So I wrote to the principal,emailed, spoke to the principal,
spoke to the secretary of thechurch and the church.
And I explained to them that I'ma mom who has a child who's
going to attend this school thefollowing school year.
But the school's closed.
Is there a way that I couldjust...
bring my child to the church andthen she can walk down the
(11:48):
hallway just to see and look inher classroom.
She does not have to go insidethe classroom.
She can just look and see andthen she knows.
And I explained why.
I said, just for a good firstday of school.
So she's not sure why.
And even though I noticed youcan talk about it and you can
(12:09):
explain, like I could have justsaid, waited like, oh yeah,
there goes your school overthere, but she doesn't, and then
I could just verbally tell her,mommy's going to drop you off,
and mommy's, mom and dad's goingto walk you to the gate, and
then you're going to go through.
I'm like, for Olivia, because Ihave an opportunity, I could
just ask the principal and thepastor, and they all said yes.
(12:36):
They said that's fine.
So when I I went and then Jeremyand I, we took her and they were
so kind.
I think it was the secretary shemet us because she went during
the day.
And then she said, well, thechildren, there's two interests.
entrance and she said they'recoming through this door then
(12:57):
they go down to the basement soshe was showing us and then she
said there's your classroom andshe kindly opened up the door
she's like and this is yourclassroom here this is where
you'll be going and Olivia'slike looking she was like okay
that's really she was likesoaking it in so it was really
good now I don't know if you getto have those type of
(13:18):
opportunities but if you have anopportunity where you you know,
if your child is going to aschool or maybe a preschool, and
if you're able to do, and youknow your child, like, you know,
I really want to show them thelocation.
And if you can get anopportunity just to take them,
just to show them where it is,what it looks like getting out
(13:42):
of the car, walking to the gate,opening up the door, you're
walking and showing them exactlywhere their class is, it's going
to be okay.
And I know that's not going tobe you know, available all the
time because things happen andsometimes you just don't, you're
not able to get access.
But mine, I always say ask.
If they said no, that's fine.
(14:02):
But if they said yes, at least Iasked.
It doesn't hurt to ask.
So it was good.
So once we got there and then Ishowed her there because this
location, her school, we wouldalways have to pass it anyway
because it's in town.
We would just go, remember,you're going to this school and
how we walk through the door andthen you hang your bag up and
(14:23):
they showed you where yourclassroom.
So when it came to the firstday, we were ready.
Yeah.
Really, I was crying.
And I was kind of like waitinglike, woman, if she cries.
But she was fine.
She knew the drill.
She knew exactly where to go,what it looked like, and where
to put her bag.
And it was just so good.
(14:45):
I mean, and then when I saidgoodbye to her, I stopped and
then I said to my husband, youknow, maybe I should just, and
there's this big tree, maybe Ishould just wait by the tree.
He goes, and do what?
be a creeper?
I don't think so.
He goes, go home.
(15:06):
And this is how funny it is.
She was only gone for an hourand a half and she was 10
minutes away.
I mean, hello.
What's it called?
I don't know.
Oh my goodness.
And I was telling my otherfriends, they were laughing.
I was like, oh, I turned backand I thought I heard a mommy.
No, that was just me.
UNKNOWN (15:26):
And
SPEAKER_00 (15:27):
That's how hilarious, yes, moms, I am when
it came to her first preschoolday.
Now, maybe your day wasdifferent.
Maybe yours was more adventurousor maybe yours were like, oh,
no, no, no, no.
But I have some friends who didnot send their kids to
(15:47):
preschool.
Now, I sent mine to preschoolbecause I needed a break.
Now, isn't that hilarious?
I'm like, needed a break.
And she was a really good kid.
So you're wondering, a break?
You make out like she's fullhands on.
She's really not.
But I thought, you know what?
I just need a break for an hourand a half.
And it's only 10 minutes away.
And it's going to be fine.
(16:09):
So yeah, so when I picked herup, oh my goodness, the first
day, the first day too, I went,and you could tell the other
first day, first day mamas andparents because we're all were
there like probably 15 minutesearly just waiting for the kids
to come out hilarious i tell youand um oh it's just so nice and
(16:32):
she did enjoy it and then um sowhen she started school uh one
you know once again it was justfine and going to, we took her
to the location and she was ableto go and see her class because
they had, I think they have likefirst, they have rounders,
something like kindergarten,kindergarten rounders.
(16:55):
I think that's what they callit.
So she enjoyed it.
Well, actually, at the time whenshe was going to the school now,
there was a preschool.
So, Because of COVID, shestarted before COVID.
And then during COVID, likeeverything shut down.
And so she was back at home.
And then after that, we went toa school.
(17:20):
And yeah, we found anotherschool.
And so she enjoyed that as wellbecause some of her classmates
from that preschool just went tothe school where she's going
now.
And that was amazing.
So she's been there ever sincepreschool, second part of her
preschool.
You know, she's third grade.
(17:40):
She's eight years old.
That is so awesome.
So it's so interesting.
You know, as, you know, yourkid, that embracing life, new
experiences and like growing upand You know, we're celebrating
different milestones and, youknow, they are growing up with
(18:01):
confidence, with joy and love.
There's a lot you learn from notonly that learning, but you're
learning as well.
And another one that I can thinkof is her wanting to learn how
to ride a bike.
Now, there are some things I'mreally good at teaching her, but
there's other things as well.
That's why I'm so, I'm reallythankful for my husband.
(18:24):
He teaches her how other thingsthat I'm thinking like I know it
but I'm not really good atteaching it just explaining it
and riding bike was one of themand so I tell you what and
honestly because I for me to runbehind her like I was thinking
oh my goodness I don't want tokeep running behind her holding
(18:46):
on to the bike and you can havetricycles where you have those
little wheels so we got that aswell And then there's another
one where a bike, and I forgotwhat it's called, you don't have
the wheels, and so they justbalance them.
Is it a strider?
I don't know what that's calledas well, but we didn't get that,
and I don't know why we didbalance it.
(19:07):
We got a bike, and they said youcan take the wheels off
specifically for that, or youcan put the wheels on, and it's
fine.
So we got, my husband and I, hetaught her how to ride, and just
seeing them, you know, go outthere.
And I think, I can't rememberwhat age, maybe it was at three
(19:28):
or four, she started learninghow to ride.
And I know we have neighborsacross the road and their kid
was a lot younger riding.
But she started at that age.
And I remember watching her justgetting frustrated because, you
know, just with wanting to do iton her own.
And even though she had wheels,you know, she had the training
(19:51):
wheels.
Yeah, she had training wheels.
And then when it came to timeto, she felt confident to take
them off, you know, it didn'tend well.
She would fall and then we putthem back on.
And so I tell you what, she'snow eight and it took a few
years for her and my husband tobe consistent.
And then as she's getting, Ithink she may be about six.
(20:15):
was it six close to seven myhusband he's a lot smaller than
me and he bought a bike and thenI don't know how he got up but
he got on the bike and so he'spedaling on the bike and I think
she's standing up or he's bikingbehind her so he's she's sitting
(20:36):
on the seat and And I didn'tknow how, but he's staring at
it.
I didn't know how, but then Iwas thinking, one, how are you
able to get on the bike andpedal at the same time?
Oh, she's pedaling.
I don't know, but it washilarious until I'm like, he's
going to get us all back.
He's going to the chiropractor.
(20:56):
But guess what?
this year with a lot ofconsistency with my husband
being so consistent during thesummer and teaching and teaching
and teaching.
This man, I tell you what, hemay not always do the laundry,
but he sure makes up to it withcertain activities with Olivia.
She is now riding a bike and shecan ride a bike on her own so
(21:20):
much that I think last week wedid about eight miles and I I
couldn't believe it that she dideight miles.
I mean, I couldn't believe thatI did eight miles myself.
I mean, I had to change my bikebecause I had a– back in the
day, I did Ironman.
(21:42):
And I did Ironman, like, local.
I mean, I did not do, like,national level.
I did it on the local level.
And this is hilarious because–For example, I think there was
three local competitions and mygoal was to do three a year at
that stage.
And this is before I had Oliviabecause I wanted to get in
(22:02):
shape.
I wanted to be healthy.
I wanted to have a baby.
So I was going through thishealth, you know, find a sport
that I love and I'll just giveit a go just to say I did it.
So I would do three.
I think I did three.
And then two of the events,right, I won, right?
in my age.
And I think there was three ofus.
(22:23):
There was like 200 people.
And I told myself, as long as Idon't come last out of the big
group.
But there was like four 40 yearolds.
So there was four of us.
And I think it went from 40 tolike 55, for example.
And I came first in my event.
(22:44):
And because I did not know, whenI finished my event and it came
to the awards, hello, I wenthome.
I didn't even think about ituntil I looked at my results.
And then I realized, oh, mygoodness, I won in my age group.
How amazing is that?
So I tell you, and this is thefunny part.
(23:06):
I am not a good swimmer.
Like I can swim, but I am not afantastic swimmer.
So when it came to the swimming,I knew enough not to go first
because that's when you get hit.
You got like a hundred and somepeople all diving into the water
trying to get out.
Well, hello, I go, but my arms,I got to the deep end swim and
(23:31):
then I, oh my goodness, talkabout one time I went swimming,
right?
right go out as you do swim hardand then I got tired so I'm
floating on my back and Ipracticed a lot I seriously guys
I practiced a lot and in thepool like when you're practicing
indoor swimming there's linesbecause you look up and you can
see the lights well I looked upin the sky and I was like oh my
(23:54):
goodness what am I going tofollow well I somehow drifted
off from everybody else in therace and there was a canoe that
came up and they're like, ma'am,ma'am.
And I went, oh my goodness,what's this canoe here?
And the guy goes, the persongoes, you have drifted.
You're not swimming witheverybody.
(24:17):
Somehow you took a long likeright turn or something.
That is too hilarious.
And so, of course, he helped me.
I had to get back on track witheverybody else.
But then as soon as my footcould touch the ground, I
started running because I couldrun faster underwater than
swimming.
(24:37):
And it looks so funny becausecan you imagine now if you saw a
person and their head isbopping, like across the water
and they're moving.
Like I seriously, I was beatingpeople that were swimming
because I'm running.
And I thought, wait a minute, itmight look weird that I don't
(25:01):
have my arms are not moving.
So I would just pretend, I wouldpretend like I'm using my arms,
but I'm really not.
I am power running under thatwater.
And I passed some people.
So what does that say about myrunning underwater?
Fabulous.
So then after the swimming,right, for Ironman, and then you
(25:22):
bike.
And I love biking.
Biking is my thing.
I mean, I tell you, I don't knowwhy.
I think it's easier on my legs.
And so that's why with thebiking, I did that.
And then the running.
Talk about, oh, my goodness.
And a photographer on one of theevents took my photo and And as
(25:43):
they do, they post different,you know, like, oh, Iron Man,
local, blah, blah, blah.
And then they showcase somepeople.
My face, it looked like I amtaking a poo or something.
It does not look charming.
And my husband, and, of course,they put it on Facebook.
They put it on some event,right, because they're just,
like, celebrating the event andpeople who are participating.
UNKNOWN (26:07):
Wow.
SPEAKER_00 (26:07):
My husband, he was laughing so much.
He was like, oh my goodness,look at your face.
It is hilarious.
If I could find it, I willsomehow like track it somewhere
because it's hilarious.
I thought, oh my goodness, thosewere the Ironman days.
So my strategy, what I made whenit came to the running, because
(26:28):
my biking, I made up for theswimming.
And then I knew with my biking,I had to get as quick as
possible because the running isgoing to kill me.
So I would like, and you're onthe street, so I would run, and
then the next pole would walk,and the next, you know, pole,
was it, the street light, Iwould walk, you know, ranso or
(26:50):
mailbox, I would just have mymarkers and I would just do that
run, walk, run, walk.
But of course, when I'm, youknow, if there was people I was
running, just, you know, just toshow that I can run.
Well, I just want to say aftersharing that moment about my
face.
We can now all ride bikes, ourbikes together.
(27:12):
And it is so wonderful thatshe's at that stage.
And man, because I got to be atthat stage riding a bike.
So I...
am so happy that we now sharethat experience and we're having
so much fun my husband and I andmy daughter we're all riding
together so if you have anystories or moments or child
(27:34):
milestone moments that you wantto share send me an email at
joyfulgathers at hotmail.comthat's joyfulgathers at
hotmail.com or if you want totext it to me and just share
with the group that is sowonderful I just want to Thank
you for joining me on thismilestone, you know, adventure.
(27:54):
I'm going to give a shout out tomy listeners in Connecticut.
So thank you very much to mylistener who listened to the
last episode of Watego,Connecticut.
And also want to give a shoutout to the countries that for my
listeners in the United States,United Kingdom, Maldives and
(28:15):
Malaysia.
I really appreciate you allcelebrating and listening to the
Family of One podcast.
This is for your friend and I'mlooking forward to catching you
in the next episode onWednesday.
Bye.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.