Angel in the Nursery: Tania Franco

By Barbara Russek, PsyD 

Tania Franco worked as a home visitor at The Child Center of NY Early Head Start Program in Corona for eleven years, supporting parents and their children during home visits and in socialization groups.  I met Tania as a consultant from the Ackerman Institute for the family at The Child Center.  She is an individual worker who thinks deeply about her role in making a difference in the early lives of young children.

This is a brief edit of a recent interview with Tania Franco and Barbara Russek.

Q: What do you feel had an important impact on the parents and children you worked with?

TF: I emphasized that the mother is her child’s first teacher; that parents need to connect with their child, even in the womb, perhaps by singing to them.  Also, I stressed that every human being is different and develops differently, so it is important to try not to compare your child with other children.

Q: How did you change your view on supporting mothers, fathers, and other primary caregivers?

[Continued from newsletter]

TF: I learned to avoid judging or criticizing and saw my role as respecting parents’ way of being as a family, while motivating them to create a relationship with their child.  I focused more on helping parents manage their emotions, listening, and offering help in calming themselves.

Q: How do you think this support helped the children?

TF: A child who sees someone relating to and supporting the parent realizes the home visitor is here for us, sees the parent is calmer, and becomes calm.

Q: What was most challenging or discouraging in the work?

TF: The families lived in an unsafe neighborhood and often in crowded apartments.  Many were alone as immigrants, living far from family or friends.  I had to accept that while we can shape what happens, and can help parents strive for a happy child, we should not expect perfection.

Q: Final thoughts?  Why do you do this work?

TF: Not everyone feels ready to be a parent, but as humans, we can become empowered.  Helping people cope with and acknowledge their feelings, seeing parents become responsive, confident, and available to their baby because I am there for them, can have an impact on how they relate to each other and in the community.