My name is Monalisa Smith, and I’m a mom of four wonderful children: a 14-year-old, a 12-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 1-year-old and I have been married to my husband for 5 years. I’ve lived in the U.S. for almost 20 years, originally from Jamaica, and I’m grateful for the life I’ve built here. I work in human services as an Assistant Program Director at a nonprofit supporting people with disabilities.
Being a parent has always been my dream. I wanted two boys and two girls, and I was lucky enough to have exactly that. Loving my children is indescribable. It is giving your genuine self and unconditional love every day. It can be exhausting, but it is also the most rewarding experience of my life.
Parenting was not always easy for me. When my daughters were younger, I was navigating divorce and co-parenting, learning how to manage two households and two parenting styles. It was complicated and sometimes overwhelming. I first heard about Families First while I was going through a court case with my children’s father. I decided to try their programs, and it changed everything.
Growing up in Jamaica, physical discipline was common. Coming to the U.S., I saw things differently, and Families First helped me bridge those differences. Through the Power of Parenting sessions, I learned how to guide my children through communication instead of punishment. I learned to listen, to talk, and to help them understand expectations. It was not easy to unlearn what I grew up with, but it transformed my relationship with my children.
Families First is more than just lessons. It is a community. Sitting with other parents, sharing struggles and victories, reminded me that I was not alone. I met people from all walks of life doing their best for their kids, and it inspired me to keep growing.
Today, I feel stronger and more confident as a parent. My co-parenting relationship is positive, my children listen, and our home feels peaceful. I hope to keep learning and to give back by supporting other parents the way Families First supported me. Parenting is a journey, and with the right tools and community, it can be truly transformative.
