Every day, parents across South Carolina work to improve the lives of their families, neighbors and communities. One of those parents is Naitia Thompson.
Naitia Thompson and her daughter, Nyla.
Naitia was born and raised in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and is a mom to her 14-month-old daughter, Nyla.
As a single mom, Naitia shared how the home visiting program, Nurse-Family Partnership, supported her journey in motherhood and the wisdom she has gathered from her experiences.
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 by Family Solutions, a program of the South Carolina Office of Rural Health and a funded partner of Children’s Trust.
What parenting advice would you give your younger self?
The parenting advice I would give my younger self, which I think is often overlooked and a lot of parents don’t acknowledge, is that as parents, we are human. You will make mistakes and you won’t always be right. Be mature enough to take accountability when you’re wrong and apologize to your children if you are wrong.
How has Nurse-Family Partnership helped you as a parent?
This program has helped me greatly because at first, I didn’t have much parenting knowledge being that I am a first-time mom. I’ve babysat my cousins before, but this was totally different. This was life-changing, and Nurse Jensen has been there every step of the way to help with anything and everything.
What’s your favorite game or activity to play with your child?
Being that she’s only 14 months old, we often play peek-a-boo.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Being a single mother has its challenges, but I thank God for my village. Becoming a mother was one of my greatest accomplishments and I vow to never, ever, let my daughter down. She’s truly my best friend.
Pictured are Naitia and her daughter, Nyla.
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.
