For one Idaho mother and her two-year-old daughter, everything changed in a single, life-altering moment. It started with a choice no parent ever wants to make, but one she knew she had to. This is the story of a mother who refused to give up—even when everything felt stacked against her.
It was in the fall season. I left my ex-husband with our two-year-old daughter due to domestic violence. I couldn’t do it anymore. I was left to find a job to support us while going to school full-time.
I finally found a low-paying full-time job, with the first two weeks being without pay as part of an internship. I had been searching for childcare, knowing that I would need it as soon as I got a job, and when I found Giraffe Laugh, I knew that’s where she belonged.
Originally, I had gone to the center on 12th, but they were full and told me to check with a different Giraffe Laugh center. Neile was the director at the time and she had me fill out the emergency scholarship paperwork to cover the cost of care during my internship.
When I started getting paid, I was only making $10 an hour with absolutely no benefits. This was back in 2012. I could hardly make ends meet as it was, but I made too much to qualify for ICCP. It was ridiculous.
At a moment when systems didn’t quite fit her reality, compassion filled the gap, allowing her to keep working, keep learning, and keep moving forward.
Although my ex-husband was required to pay a large portion of the childcare bill, he didn’t seem to care. His portion of the bill kept climbing as I begged him, and even had my attorney threaten him to pay it. Eventually, he had his portion paid.
Had this been at any other center, they wouldn’t have allowed my daughter to continue with such a large balance. If she didn’t have care, I wouldn’t be able to work. This was one of the most stressful parts of our situation.
But of course, the amazing ladies at Giraffe Laugh never made me feel like we were the odd ones out.
I couldn’t afford ballet or swim lessons, and yet we were so generously given scholarships so that my daughter wasn’t left out. I was doing everything I could to find a good-paying job and get us on our feet.
While her mother worked tirelessly to rebuild stability, her daughter was quietly growing — socially, emotionally, and academically.
While my daughter has attended Giraffe Laugh, I have seen so many things in her blossom and develop. She was so shy when it came to other kids. Now, she can introduce herself at a park full of kids, and suddenly she has a dozen new friends.
She can recognize every letter and is even starting to read with me. I love their curriculum and day-to-day activities. She has learned so much, and I have full confidence that she will be ready for kindergarten in the fall.
The generosity, scholarships, love, and kindness of all of those involved with Giraffe Laugh made it possible for us to move forward in our lives.
I found a job in another area, and we plan on staying in touch with her teachers. We love them all so much, and without them I honestly don’t know where we would be.
Someday, when I am able to, I plan on giving back to Giraffe Laugh so that they may continue to give families like us a chance. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I have done for my daughter and myself.
