Parenting has evolved drastically over the past century, especially as more moms enter the workforce full-time. In the U.S., where parental leave is significantly shorter than in many other countries, childcare providers play a crucial role in supporting working parents and their little ones.
Finding someone who cares for your child with love and attention isn’t always easy, so when you do, it’s worth celebrating. That’s exactly why a video from mom Lauren Pontiff is resonating with so many—her baby’s daycare provider, Shikira, had the most heartwarming reaction to witnessing the child’s first steps.
In the clip, Shikira is playing with another baby on the floor while Pontiff’s child clings to a table for support. Suddenly, the little one lets go and takes those wobbly first steps toward her. The moment Shikira notices, she bursts into pure excitement—clapping, cheering, and encouraging the baby to keep going before scooping them up in a big, joyful hug.
Watch the Sweet Moment:
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Isn’t this exactly what every working parent hopes for? A caregiver who treats their child with love, encouragement, and genuine joy?
Pontiff perfectly summed up the feeling in her caption: “The best feeling is seeing the excitement and how happy someone else can be for your child's first steps.” In the comments, she added, “She’s loved all of our babies with ALL of her heart!! So glad to have Shikira in our babies’ lives!! 💗”
A Village of Love and Support
While every parent hopes to witness their child’s big milestones firsthand, it’s not always possible. Even without daycare, a baby’s first steps could happen while they’re with a grandparent or babysitter. Some childcare centers even have a policy of not telling parents when a milestone happens so they can experience the excitement firsthand. But with daycare cameras, parents get the next best thing—the chance to witness these special moments, even from afar.
The internet couldn’t get enough of Shikira’s reaction:
💬 “The type of daycare worker all places need!!”
💬 “Imagine leaving for work knowing this is the kind of love your kid is getting 😢❤️”
💬 “The way she scooted forward like she couldn’t wait to love on your baby 😭”
💬 “That’s how you know you picked the right daycare! She loves your baby like she’s hers 🖤”
Of course, some online critics couldn’t resist commenting that babies should be home with their moms. But that ignores the reality that, for many families, two working parents are necessary. It also dismisses the fact that not every parent wants to stay home full-time—and that’s okay! If people truly believe parents should be home for these milestones, they should be advocating for longer paid parental leave, like in other developed countries.
For perspective:
📌 Norway: 49 weeks of fully paid leave (or 59 weeks at 80% pay)
📌 Bulgaria: 410 days at 90% pay
📌 Sweden: 390 days at 80% pay
📌 U.S.: …Zero weeks guaranteed.
Since daycare is a reality for so many American families, let’s celebrate the caregivers who step up with love and enthusiasm, just like Shikira. The world needs more people like her—cheering, encouraging, and loving kids as if they were their own.