My name is Gloria Vasquez, and I live in Everett with my two children: my daughter who is 24 and my son who is 11. Being a parent has always been a central part of who I am, but when my son was starting kindergarten during COVID, parenting felt overwhelming. Between working from home, helping him navigate online learning, and managing day-to-day life, I often felt like I was barely keeping up.
In the middle of all that chaos, I was looking for ways to keep my son engaged. That’s when I found Families First. At first, the program was challenging because so much of it was on Zoom, and I was already exhausted from work and school. But I quickly noticed how much my son loved the hands-on activities. He would get so excited whenever a new package arrived or when a session was coming up. Seeing how happy he was reminded me why I was there, even when I was tired. Over time, I learned to focus less on the screen and more on the experience, and it became something we both looked forward to.
Families First has taught me important lessons about parenting and about myself. I have learned to be patient, to recognize when my own stress is affecting my reactions, and to take care of myself so I can be a better parent. When I lose my patience now, I stop and ask myself what’s really going on with me. It’s not always about my kids. Sometimes I just need a moment to breathe.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth never stops. That lesson has carried over into every part of my life. I am about to graduate with my associate degree and plan to continue on to earn my bachelor’s. Returning to school while parenting has not been easy, but I want my children to see that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. I want to set an example for my kids. No matter what life throws at you, you can always keep going.
Today, I continue my journey with Families First as a Parent Ambassador. I see the growth in my son every day, and I feel proud knowing he remembers those early experiences fondly. Families First helped me become a stronger, more confident parent, and I hope my story encourages other parents to take that first step.
