Every day, parents across South Carolina work to improve the lives of their families, neighbors and communities. One of those parents is Jennifer Thomas.
Jennifer Thomas and her daughter, Elaine.
Jennifer is mom to her 17-month-old daughter, Elaine. Living near Florence, South Carolina, Jennifer participates in the home visiting program, Nurse-Family Partnership. Jennifer reflected on her time in the program and the ways her nurse guides her through her parenting journey.
Nurse-Family Partnership connects great nurses with moms expecting their first baby, beginning in pregnancy until the child turns two years old. It is implemented in Florence by McLeod Health, a funded partner of Children’s Trust.
What parenting advice would you give your younger self?
Always be patient and always wear a smile in front of your child. Always. Never let your child see that you’re getting frustrated, or you’re getting upset. If you make a sour face in front of your child, they are going to react to that and also get upset, and you don’t want to upset your child. Be patient and use positive and uplifting words to help keep an upbeat child.
How has Nurse-Family Partnership helped you as a parent?
My nurse, Karen, has helped me out through so many obstacles of parenting. Whenever I had a question, whenever I felt like I didn’t know which direction to take, she’d always advise and guide me in the best way that she knows, because she’s been doing this for many years. Also, she’s always encouraged me and told me what a great parent I’ve been. But even when I feel like I didn’t do my best, she was there to remind me, “Actually, you’re doing a really great job, and you don’t need to be so hard on yourself.”
She also taught me a lot when it came to the health of my child and making sure she was meeting her milestones at the correct time. My nurse is great, she really has gone into depth into how to raise your child and given me the steps to take. Without Karen, I would have been guessing. She is great and a lot of support. I feel that she is a part of the family; I trust her with my child 100%, she’s awesome.
What’s your favorite game or activity to play with your child?
There’s so many little activities we like to play. She loves singing her ABCs. We have an ABC VTech toy and we play with that. Also, my daughter loves to read. That’s one thing that Ms. Karen was really adamant about. She told me to start reading to the baby every day, even as a newborn. My child loves books now, so that’s really a big role in our everyday life. I buy her a new book at least once a week. Of course, she loves playing outside too. She loves to run around outside and explore.
Pictured are Jennifer and her daughter, Elaine.
Children’s Trust administers the federal investment in home visiting for South Carolina – the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. Nurse-Family Partnership is one of three evidence-based home visiting models that Children’s Trust supports. Learn more about home visiting.
