Just Caro. Because when I say Caroline, no one at home knows who I’m talking about.
When I was pregnant with baby #2, we had to switch childcare providers for Son #1 because his daycare was too far from home. In my town, you have to sell your mother’s kidney and part of your soul to get a spot in a CPE. So we turned to in-home daycare providers. I visited that famous website every day, but I could never get past the second step: reading the service description to my husband.
Until I came across: Chez Caro. The description, though very simple, immediately caught my attention. I read it to my husband. Before I’d even finished, he said, “Yeah, let’s contact her.” So I sent her an email, explaining that we don’t live far away and that my 3-year-old needs a new daycare. She replied: “Yes, I still have a spot, but tell me—are you Magalie Couet-Lannes from Sainte-Hélène?” We all know who Magalie Couet-Lannes is—there aren’t exactly a ton of them. “Of course it’s me! But who are you?” “I’m C.’s older sister.”
C. was my best friend in elementary school. The one I run into every now and then or chat with on social media, and the conversation just flows naturally, because we spent so much time together as kids…
All our doubts vanished right then. What were the odds? Her parents practically raised me, and mine practically raised her sister… It was obvious we’d get along great, share the same values, and know how to talk to each other whenever we needed to.
That’s exactly what’s happening. We make a great team. My kids are thriving wonderfully, and I’m becoming a much better mom thanks to our discussions, our exchanges of tips, advice, and recommendations.
Today, August 30, 2019, is the last day of #1 at Caro’s. I know he’s ready for this new chapter. He’s a cheerful, energetic, sociable, sensitive little boy who’s so open to others. And that’s largely thanks to Caro.
She’s a woman, a mother, a friend, and a sister. Despite all these roles, out of her love for early childhood, she opens the doors of her home to us every day. She’s devoted and passionate, cool and firm, energetic and calm… She’s extraordinary—a true gem. I tell her this all the time, but as they say, words just fade away…
Dear parents, I truly hope you find your own Caro—the one who will offer you support, comfort, and a sense of trust as solid as a rock. The one who will let you “forget” about your children while you work to put butter on your bread.
To all the Caros out there: Keep it up. You’re extraordinary, and I hope you know just how much of a difference you make in our lives.
But my kids and I have the best Caro of them all 😉