Children are the most cherished, most protected, most loved bundle's of joy in life. Everyone was a child once, and as a child you grew and learned from your peers, siblings and most importantly, your parents. You spend the first part of your life learning how to be an adult and take care of yourself, and when the time comes, you start your own family and pass your knowledge onto your children.
Caring for a child is a full-time job, usually taking every second of the day and every ounce of energy you and your partner can muster. But its worth it in the end, seeing your child raising their own kids and you and your partner can look back on how much work it took to get you there.
Except in this scenario, Beca Mitchell was a long ways off from that happy ending. She was now a single mother of a rambunctious curly headed 3-year-old girl, Skylar. Beca's boyfriend and Skylar's father had recently walked out on them one night and left Beca on her own to care for the child.
After the thousandth unanswered phone call, Beca figured it was legit, she was on her own. It had been a week already of being single and she was still a broken mess. She was allowed time off of work, so she could figure out arrangements. Thinking of none, she called her go-to girl Stacie.
Stacie showed up with little Bella, so she could play with Skylar while their mommies talked,
"Bella sure is growing isn't she? She's gonna be as tall as you before too long." Beca said sipping on her coffee.
Stacie smiled, "Yeah, I can't believe she's already 4. Skylar turned 3 like what? Three months ago I guess?"
"3 months and 4 days ago exactly." Beca said proudly earning a disbelieved look from Stacie.
"So what's up? How have you been holding up since you know who left?"
Beca let out a frustrated sigh, "I've been doing ok. Still have the occasional breakdown and episode. But I'm managing. I don't know how you've been able to do it all this time by yourself."
"Well it's not easy. Especially now that Bella's getting old enough to start asking questions about her dad. It confuses her when I bring home a new boyfriend. I can't look at her and honestly tell her I have no idea who her father is. What would she think of me when she's older? I certainly can't lie to her either ya know?"
"Yeah, Skylar is beginning to ask about Michael. I'm not sure what to say. I'm hoping I can push it off until she is a little older." Beca got up and refilled the mugs and leaned against the counter and watched the girl's play.
"The best advice I can give you Beca, is to smile when it hurts. Don't let what happened handicap you and your daughter, no matter how much it hurts. You're a tough bitch, and you'll bounce right back up and find someone who will care for you and Skylar. It may take some time, hell look at me. It's not just about us anymore Bec's, we gotta find someone who will accept us as well as our daughters."
"When did you become so wise?" Beca teased.
"The day when Bella was placed into my arms." She replied softly. Stacie's words really struck home with Beca. She was gonna need to be tough for herself and her daughter.
"How long did the label give you off?" Stacie asked.
"Two weeks. I've wasted this week and haven't done shit…"
"Mommy! That's a bad word!" Skylar yelled from her spot on the floor.
Beca covered her mouth in surprise, "Sorry baby, it won't happen again."
Stacie just laughed, "I see her vocabulary is growing."
Beca ran her hand through her hair as she sat back down, "Yeah, I've been working with her every day. I made an emphasis on to never use bad words either."
"Well look at you go," Stacie teased. "So what's your plan after next week. I mean, you're gonna have to get a babysitter or something."
Beca whined, "I know. It was so much simpler when Michael was here. He worked 2nd shift so he could watch her during the day and I would watch her at night. A babysitter is going to kill me financially. And I'm really not comfortable with strangers in my house and with my child."
"Well why not look into the place I take Bella? I've been taking her there for a while now."
Beca took note, "Like a Daycare?"
"Exactly. It's a fairly new place. Super clean and the woman who runs it, is wonderful with kids. I can give you her card if your interested. She's actually the cheapest in town and I highly recommend her."
Having Stacie's approval meant everything, she was getting more interested by the moment,
"So she isn't mean to the kids or anything? Skylar can be a handful."
"Beca. This woman is a legit gift from god. She will whip Skylar into shape.." Stacie was cutoff by a frightened looking Beca.
"Whipped? She doesn't spank them does she?"
Stacie laughed again, "Goodness no. She's tough but fair with the kids. I've seen her in action. She can come across as odd and like super Nazi, but the kids love her."
It took Beca a few more minutes of thought before she decided to check into the place,
"What's the name of the place again?"
"Posen's Penitentiary." Beca's eyes went wide and before she could object, Stacie began laughing, "Nah dude, it's Little Duckling's Daycare. You should have seen your face!"
"Well damn. What else was I gonna do?"
"Mommy!" Skylar yelled.
"Sorry sweetie! Anyways, you got that card? I would like to talk to the owner."
"Yeah sure thing. Hey Bella? Can you bring mommy her purse?" Bella came charging into the kitchen along with Skylar who crawled up into Beca's lap.
"Here it is, Little Duckling's Daycare." Stacie said handing the card to Beca.
Beca observed the card carefully. It was a cute card, it had a mother duck being followed by little ducklings on it.
"What's that mommy?" Sky asked.
"It's a card for a Daycare Sky."
"What's a Daycare?" She asked.
Beca knew Skylar wasn't going to like this but it had to be done. "A Daycare is a place where mommy's drop their kids off during the day, so we can work. You get to learn and play all day."
Just like she predicted, Skylar was throwing a fit. She looked at Stacie who had the perfect answer,
"Hey Sky? Bella goes to Daycare to and she loves it."
The little girl dried her eyes and sucked her snot up, "Really?"
Bella jumped up in excitement! "We get to play all day together!" And that was all it took. Her partner in crime had convinced her automatically.
"Go run along girls, why Beca talks to the Daycare." Stacie said ushering the girls out of the kitchen.
Beca dialed the number and waited patiently for an answer, a woman answered, most likely the owner,
"Hello! Little Duckling's Daycare! This is Aubrey Posen how may I help you?" At least the woman was peppy.
"Uhm Hi, my name is Beca Mitchell and I'm looking for a Daycare for my child. My best friend Stacie had referred me to you."
"Stacie Conrad?" Aubrey asked.
"Yes ma'am. Her daughter Bella attends your Daycare. She and my daughter are best friends."
"Awe! Yes I know Bella, she is perfect. Now tell me Beca, what is your daughter's name?"
"Her name is Skylar Jade Thompson."
"That's a beautiful name. And how old is miss Skylar?"
"She turned three a few months ago."
"Fantastic." Aubrey said. "So I presume this is her first Daycare?"
"Yeah, I was hoping to avoid this. Me and her fathers work schedule worked out perfectly so that we could watch her, and he literally just left us. So I'm in crisis mode."
"Well Beca, you called the right place. So being her first Daycare. I would actually like to have you and her swing by and see if this is something you two are comfortable with. I'm sure Stacie put in a good word. But ultimately, it's the child and parent's decision."
"Ok, yeah great! That sounds fine actually."
"Could you two maybe swing by sometime next week? The kids usually have playtime after 1. So we can see if she fits in while we get acquainted." Aubrey said.
"Perfect. Let's shoot for Tuesday afternoon?" Beca asked.
"Tuesday afternoon. Perfect. I can't wait to meet you and miss Skylar. See you then."
Beca felt ten times better after that phone call. Aubrey actually made her feel safe when it came to Skylar. She had a beautiful voice and was extremely helpful. Beca was impressed.
"We go Tuesday to check things out."
"Fantastic. You'll love Bree. She is amazing with kids. There's nothing to worry about."