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From a Parent's Point of View

Hi, my name is Kari. No, you're not going to see me in this picture. I'm the face behind the camera. These are my children, my everything: Tristan, Eryk, and Emma. Almost eleven years ago, I became a mom to my first, my daughter, Emma. To be honest with you, I was terrified. Growing up in a home with a mom who worked all the hours to support my younger sister and I, I saw the most incredible woman in the world give every ounce of herself to taking care of others so she could support US: My mom, my favorite person, was a nurse. While I learned from a very young age of this incredibly difficult task that she took on, it made life lonely. I remember school events, concerts, field trips, activities searching the crowds for anyone... But mostly her and being heartbroken. I knew the kind of mom I had, but I also knew the mom I wanted to be. So, I made a vow: I was going to be everything I could for my kids. I was going to give extra hugs and kisses, LOUD "I LOVE YOU(S)!", be the face on the crowd that my kids KNOW is going to be there. I'm on the sidelines of every practice and game for any sport - probably yelling louder than any of the other parents (I do not apologize for this!) I'm on the fields coaching, in the classroom volunteering, reading to all these lovely faces, telling stories, being PRESENT. I am the furthest thing from a perfect parent. You'd probably look at me, covered in tattoos, piercings, colored hair... Ya, I'm THAT mom and you'd probably think one thing or another about me. And that's OK! Because at the end of the day, I'm going to do EVERYTHING I can within my power to give my kids the BEST things in life.

Which brings me to today. I'm a PROUD NPHS mom. My youngest has struggled- to be fair, all three of my kids have. But it wasn't until I was welcomed into this family of educators, staff, support systems, even bus drivers that I found MY PEOPLE. They have helped me learn and grow and succeed as a parent in ways I never thought possible. I'm ENCOURAGED to be present, to get involved in all aspects of my child's education. My youngest has grown and achieved things that I had legitimately feared he simply couldn't. He tells me almost every day how much he loves his teacher and BEST FRIEND, Miss Abby; his BEST FRIENDS, Miss Mel and Miss Kristen too. He LOVES seeing Mr. (Bluey) Louis drive up in his big yellow bus. But most importantly, he's HAPPY! I'm FOREVER grateful for NPHS and the phenomenal people I've met through this program that I could go on for an absurdly long time naming individually. My ONLY regret is not knowing about them sooner - I wish I could go back in time and give my older kiddos, Emma and Tristan, the same experience that their little brother gets to have. If I could, I would keep my Eryk with NPHS all through his years of education, surrounded by loving and compassionate souls who want exactly what I want for my kid: For him to grow, for him to thrive; but most importantly, for him to be HAPPY.

Sincerely, Kari Turvey-Gantz