Learn and Grow Together was founded in 2005, as a simple way to get information across to parents in the Albany, NY area. I wanted to provide information, advice, and parenting humor to friends and others in my area. Since I was 12, my passion has been to help families and children of all ages and abilities. At the age of 15, I had my first child care job at a friend's in home child care center. This is when I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life. I started taking some advanced courses in high school for early childhood development and child psychology. I then took majored in Early Childhood Development and Education in college and did an internship at the college day care. From there I also got an Associates in Business, in which I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I was originally going to start my own day care center, but I got pulled in another way! I wanted to help families on an individual level.

I did take a short break until my first son, born in 1999, was 1. I then took a lead teacher position at a preschool where he attended. I ended up at one other center, before having my daughter in 2003. I took a couple years off, trying to figure out what I could do for children and families, and still stay home with my kids. So in 2005 I launched Creative Parenting, at the urging of my local Attachment Parenting group and several of my former parents at my previous preschool. I shortly thereafter changed the name to Talk to me Baby, then Learn and Grow Together (after moving to North Carolina), after some thought and a few votes from friends!

I am also working on a 1.5 to 2 hour curriculum for my class entitled Positive Toddler Parenting This is a class geared towards parents of toddlers ages 1 to 4. This class entails how to handle tantrums, using ASL with toddlers, how playing with your toddler develops their whole self, and much more! Visit back to the site for updates!

I started with a small website through a free host, with parenting tips, local events (Kindermusik, parks, fairs, schools holding carnivals, fundraisers, healthy kid days (YMCA) and so on). I also listed local mom and dad support groups. Shortly before moving to North Carolina, I became a Happiest Baby Certified Educator. I had read this book when my daughter was a baby and found it very helpful, wishing it was around when my first was born (though, he was and still is my best sleeper!). I was very excited when I heard about the Educator Program, which was about a year old by then, and immediately applied!! If I had stayed in NY, I would have been a Kindermusik instructor with Cart Wheels for Kids. I was asked to join them and go through training, right before we moved. I am sure that would have been fun too! I would have done it down here, if this are was not already full of wonderful KI instructors!

Shortly after moving to North Carolina, I got an invitation from Wee Hands to become an instructor. Since I have used ASL in the past with both children in my care as well as my own children, I jumped at this opportunity! This was a perfect service to add to my ever growing business. I am very happy I went with Wee Hands, as they only choose people for their instructors who have an extensive ASL and Early Childhood background, unlike some other companies, where you just pay a fee! I am continuing my education to obtain my Masters, but only taking a class here and there. Ultimately, I would like a few of my own permanent residences for my classes spread out through the Triangle Area.

Thanks to the help of my husband, Chris, I can get all the technical and financial sides of my business taken care of. (Except writing the website! I LOVE working with HTML!) I am lucky to have a loving, supportive husband, who is willing to help out when needed. (Which usually means he watches the kids when I have a night time class!)

I also have a ton of friends who have helped bring Learn and Grow Together...together! :) This includes Mis at A Place Next Door for my wonderful logo and Aisha at Gifts For All NC for other logos, advice and critiques. I would also like to thank Liberty Johnson at Bee Square Virtual Assistants for her AWESOME critique and help in making my website that much better for my families! I would also like to thank all my business owner mamas at Moms United in Business,LLC (Especially owner and founder, Jenn Rogers) for the community support they give!