Nurturing Niya, continued

Vinyard picks Janaija up after work from the child’s aunt, Jamela Kimbrough, and father, Jamal Kimbrough. Kimbrough pays child support and has told Vinyard that he wants to be a part-time father. Vinyard is looking into childcare options for January, when she starts school.

Vinyard and Janaija play after a bath. Vinyard has always played a large role in the caretaking of her 6 younger siblings. “I’ve always been a momma,” she said. “If it hadn’t been Niya, it would have been the same scenario.”

Vinyard teaches Janaija to brush her teeth.

Vinyard reads a potty training book to Janaija, who is already potty training at the age of 16 months. “She’s too smart for her own good,” Vinyard said.

Vinyard falls asleep trying to get Janaija to take a nap after running errands and enrolling at Moberly Area Community College. “I want to be happy and successful and self-sufficient,” Vinyard said.