Two Weeks to Forever – By Camilla Bauer

“It will only be two weeks” was the phrase I kept hearing when I agreed to open my home to a sister duo.  

I was a first-year preschool teacher working my dream job when my world was turned upside down by a phone call asking me to help with two little girls. I dove headfirst into a new world of child care struggles, school registration, doctors' appointments, therapy, and family visits (things I knew very little about). I was hit with the reality of how scarce resources in our area are AND how the resources we have are not easily accessible. I called every child care in our county only to discover the facilities were full and the waitlists were long. Additionally there were limited options that helped with school-aged children. My girls needed counseling services, and again we were met with the same struggle: waitlists were long/insurance not accepted. We were driving 30 minutes just to receive bare minimum services. The trend continued with health care providers and dentists.  

Looking back, I realize I had a lot of advantages because of my status as a teacher. I had colleagues that were able to guide me in the right direction and school counselors who gave me phone numbers and recommendations. I had a ton of support and would have been lost without them. On the flip side, however, it makes me empathetic towards families in our community who are not as lucky. 

Three years later, I adopted my girls, and we are thriving as a family of three. I now use my experience to try and help the families I meet.