Jasmine Nieto: From Classroom Teacher to Children's Author (With a Baby on Her Lap) | Half Full

Jasmine Nieto: From Classroom Teacher to Children's Author (With a Baby on Her Lap)

Jasmine Nieto's journey to becoming a published children's author wasn't exactly a straight line. Long Island native turned North Carolina transplant, she spent over a decade shaping young minds as a classroom teacher before launching her own board game enrichment program in 2022. But it was motherhood, specifically, the arrival of her son Paolo in July 2025, that unexpectedly transformed her from educator to author.

"I want to leave the world better than I found it," Jasmine says simply. "I'm absolutely obsessed with the innocence, open-mindedness, honesty, and love that children possess. It gives me faith in the future."

That philosophy has driven everything from her years in the classroom (2013-2025) to her current role as CEO of a board game enrichment program for 3rd-8th graders. But when Paolo arrived, something shifted. What started as a passion project for her baby boy became her debut children's book. And now, just months later, her second book in the "By My Side" universe has hit shelves.

The timing? Perfectly chaotic. Jasmine discovered her second book was available for purchase at 3 AM, after submitting the manuscript on November 1st. "I literally just found out today!" she laughs, admitting she wrote this very submission with Paolo squealing—in both happiness and distress—on her lap. "Have I mentioned I love motherhood?"

The road to publication wasn't without its bumps. An unexpected C-section, a NICU stay, and then contracting hand, foot, and mouth disease right as her first book launched made for what she calls a "hilariously chaotic" first few months of motherhood. She jokes about wearing a diaper herself while caring for Paolo, all while trying to promote her debut book and keep her business and her marriage running.

"I selfishly love knowing I'm doing my small part in molding the lives of the next generation, in what I can only hope is a positive way."

Her proudest moment? "Holding down the Paolo and business fort even though I was lowkey dying," she admits. Through medical complications that left her dealing with tendinitis and tennis elbow in her dominant hand (try writing a children's book with that), she pushed through. "Coming out on top with a ridiculously healthy baby and a happy family filled with honest-to-goodness love—that's the win."

Now settled in her new Durham home with her husband and five-month-old Paolo (who, she proudly notes, has only ever had minor colds thanks to "my breastmilk being the shit"), Jasmine is already working on at least four more books in her series. She's balancing author life, running her enrichment program, and the beautiful chaos of first-time motherhood.

"I selfishly love knowing I'm doing my small part in molding the lives of the next generation," she reflects. "In what I can only hope is a positive way."

If writing two children's books while recovering from emergency surgery, running a business, and caring for an infant is any indication—she's doing more than fine.

Follow Jasmine

Instagram: @jasminenieto_author

TikTok: @mommyandpaolo

Facebook: Jasmine Nieto

Find her books on Amazon!

Jasmine Nieto: From Classroom Teacher to Children's Author (With a Baby on Her Lap)

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