Through The Night

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

Holding down a full-time job and being a mother, childcare is a necessity in my household. And with a husband available the need for that care is reduced, yet still very much needed for both of us to work and maintain said household. But for others, especially single parents who don’t work outside of 9-5 or parents holding down multiple jobs to provide, childcare needs to go a little beyond the daytime business hours. Through The Night explores the reality of working parents who require extra assistance from places like a 24-hour daycare facility and the toll this takes on not only the parents but their children and those devoted to providing that care.

Enter Patrick and Deloris ‘Nunu’ Hogan, a kind and loving husband and wife team of twenty-two years who run a 24-hour daycare out of their home in New Rochelle, New York. While Patrick does his part and is loved by the children it is Nunu who is the heart and soul of “Dee’s Tots Childcare.” Nunu originally got into the business of childcare when she became a stay-at-home mom and another mom asked her to watch their child. Soon enough more parents sought Nunu’s childcare service and the money she made went into buying a home and starting a proper daycare facility. But this isn’t an ordinary facility. Instead of empty rooms to be swept when the doors close, pallets are placed on the floor for children who must spend the night so their Mom and/or Dad can work the overnight shift or that second job.

As we watch the daycare provide the much-needed assistance to parents, the children are also left in the care of Patrick and Nunu more often than they are home. They miss their parents, they get emotional and can lash out and some are too young to understand their circumstances. Over time the children do adjust and being left in the care of others becomes a norm to them. But while we empathize with the parents and their families, the real toll that constant work has taken on Nunu’s health comes crashing down on her during filming. Fortunately, Nunu does recover but not without some lasting repercussions. Still, Nunu perseveres to keep her daycare open as she loves dedicating her time to those children in her care.

It is apparent that Director and Producer Lorai Limbal truly placed their heart and soul into this piece, as has her team. Limbal has shed light onto the answer for our non-stop work economy and how that kind of mentality can be helpful yet damaging. While Nunu is happy spending time with the children in her care, she has also had to put her own children and her health take a backseat to the clientele. She sacrifices just like the working parents we meet on Through The Night. It is a never-ending cycle and you cannot help but want to give those hard-working parents a hug, especially as they continue to hustle for their families.

Parents will do anything to secure happiness for their families. They want the best opportunities for their children and Nunu seems to understand that on so many levels. The children make her happy. Their stories bring joy, which are plastered all over the walls of Dee’s Tots Childcare. And despite Nunu’s reminder that her own mortality clock is ticking there’s a bright side, especially when the love from her “kids” make her feel young.

You can find more information on the film Through the Night and donate to the Essential Care Fundraiser at https://www.throughthenightfilm.com/