For single parents taking care of their children can be difficult. Single parents who are also Soldiers, and especially drill sergeants, there can be times when taking care of kids can be troublesome.
Fort Jackson has alleviated some of the difficulties of parenting children while working long hours on the trail with around the clock childcare.
"It breaks my heart to even think about the type of situation some of these children may face if this type of care was present," said Gemma Clopton, the director of the 24/7 Lee Road Child Care Center.
The day care center is open for full-day care from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. with extended care from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. It is also open Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., with any hours after that being extended care.
"So we cover all the care weekdays 24/7 with reservations," she said. "Anything out of those hours is considered advance extended care for us."
The overnight child care is available to Soldiers and civilians.
"Anyone who can provide a memorandum from their commander, namely Soldiers who are on the ground (mostly drill sergeants) have to provide a memorandum stating they are working at least 48 hours in advance," she said.
The idea for extended care was for people "working atypical hours" such as those working at hospitals, firefighters, or drill sergeants, Clopton added.
Some of the children from Lee who are on the full day care plan may stay overnight, but mostly the overnight stays are kids brought in from other child development centers.
The center averages five children a night, with as few as one to as many as 17.
The children arrive around 6:30 p.m., get themselves situated before taking a bath. "They may have a late snack, they do a little reading on their own; have a little play time, but lights are out at 9 p.m.," Clopton said.
The care center has sleeping areas for the differing age groups of the kids who stay there. There have been some as young about four months, while the oldest was 16 years old. There are games, books and a television in the center decorated in bright, happy colors.
Children even have a cubby hole to store their stuff.
Fort Jackson leadership understands working long hours and sometimes overnight can be taxing on a single parent, they try to make it as easy as possible.
"As a mom it just pulled at my heart, that drill sergeants don't get to see their kids," because of their long hours, said Christine Karcanes, an elementary school teacher, mother and Army spouse. "They are missing out on bubble bath time, or breakfast time, or putting on their warm pajamas."
Karcanes proposed ways for parents to spend more time with children, such as baby monitors or cell phone apps that would allow the Soldiers to interface directly with their kids. Clopton said the center is planning on installing computer tablets to allow parents more time with their children through programs like Facetime.
Parent using these programs can "help your child and watch them have Captain Crunch cereal for breakfast," Karcanes added. "It helps to make that connection because those hours are brutal."
In the meantime, some Soldiers call or stop by to check up on their little ones, Clopton said.
"Can you imagine the stress and missing that little one of yours?" Karcanes said. "The people are wonderful there, but it's not the same. It's a different bed, it's a different smell, it's a different sound, and you're with people you don't know."
For Clopton, the work she does is a gift to the Soldiers protecting the country.
"If I'm having a hard day, I have to keep in mind what we are doing here. We are the liaison between the parent and child at times. Providing this care is necessary for those individuals who are brave enough to fight for us. It is something I couldn't do. This is just my ultimate repayment and homage to them."
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