About Melissa

I got my first experience with kids when my brother and sister were born. I was a second mom to them both as they 9 and 12 years younger than me. I also was always babysitting and was a nanny in the summers through junior high, high school and college. I was a life guard, swim lesson instructor and a swim coach as well. I've worked for the YMCA as an instructor and worked in their before and after school programs. In my 30s, I worked with our church youth group for 10 years and my husband and I took in several teens over the years. We have hosted 2 foreign exchange students from China and remain very close to both of them. They call me their American mom. Currently my sister and her 6-year-old son live with us and we treasure our time with him. He is on the autism spectrum and has a sensory disorder, so I have experience with special needs as well. I love kids of all ages. I'm patient and calm and a lot of silly fun. I love arts and crafts as well.