For many parents, finding the right daycare for their child is a challenging task, filled with waiting lists and paperwork. But for Keyla Remache, a 29-year-old circus performer and mother to three-year-old Arwen, the obstacles were unusually daunting and deeply personal.
A Unique Career Leads to Unexpected Challenges
Keyla’s profession is anything but typical. She’s been a hula hoop artist since she was ten, traveling from city to city for performances. This nomadic lifestyle, inherent to many in the performing arts, meant she couldn’t provide a fixed home address when applying to daycares. When she tried to enroll Arwen in a local daycare, her application was denied specifically because of her unconventional job and lack of a permanent address.
“When I mentioned that I worked in the circus, the daycare manager stopped typing, looked up from his computer, and told me the daycare was full,” Keyla recalled, hinting at a deeper reluctance tied to her lifestyle rather than actual availability.
A Difficult Decision for Stability
Faced with the realization that her cherished career was becoming a barrier to her daughter’s early education and social development, Keyla made a tough choice. Though she had spent her entire life in the circus and loved her work deeply, she decided to cut back her hours to part-time. She and her partner also took a significant step towards stability by purchasing a home. This drastic change in her living situation finally allowed her to secure a spot for Arwen in the daycare.
Despite altering her lifestyle, Keyla did not abandon her passion. She continues to perform on weekends and during vacations, often bringing Arwen along to the shows. It seems that Arwen is taking after her mother, as she delights in wearing leotards and exploring the vibrant world of the circus.
Balancing Two Worlds
Keyla is determined to blend her family’s circus heritage with the demands of a more conventional life. “No matter what, we will blend the two lives,” she affirmed. “I want my daughter to be happy. And if she finds her happiness in the circus, then I will be there to support her.”
This story underscores the unique challenges faced by those in less traditional professions, especially when institutions require conventional norms that don’t fit with all lifestyles. Keyla’s experience highlights a broader issue: the need for more flexible childcare solutions that consider the diverse needs of modern families.
