I have some formal childcare experience at the YMCA; however, I have been around children my whole life. I’m the oldest of 6 cousins, and I had a hand in raising the youngest one. Diaper changes to temper tantrums to the cold shoulder, I’ve seen it all, and I haven’t lost that spark. On a more serious note, my younger brother was on the spectrum and had other behavioral issues. We were both adopted from Russia at a young age, and in the orphanage, I had to step up and be “the mom”, and that caring nature has stuck with me. I am not saying that I am a specialist or trained in any way with children with Autism, but I do know a little about it, and I grew up experiencing it from the outside. Unfortunately, he passed recently, and in that, it made me want to pursue what I truly want to do. Childcare! (pets welcome!)