Nannying is so rewarding. People also underestimate how difficult it is (no, I don't just play with babies all day). If you haven’t nannied before, here are six things you should know ahead of time.

1. You will be tired

You might not realize it until you come home at the end of the day, but supervising kids is tiring. Your mind is constantly alert and you’re up and active most of the time. You will need to get a full 7 or 8 hours of sleep if you want to be prepared for the next day.

2. Be flexible

You will probably have the day planned out for the kids and when you arrive, they won’t like any of your ideas. Things change on the go, and you have to roll with it. Kids like to know you've put thought into it, but they don’t want to be limited by strict schedules. Fun while nannying tends to be more spontaneous.

3. Be organized

You need to have emergency numbers and a first aid kit on your person at all times in case something goes wrong. You also need to bring stuff for every possible occasion: sneakers for hiking, swimsuit and sunscreen for the pool, umbrella for the rain, etc.

4. You will have bad days

Especially if you’re watching multiple children. Things don’t go as planned. Siblings argue over everything. You’ll get lost. Drinks will spill and stain. If something doesn’t go wrong, you’re not human.

5. Your car is not yours

Your car becomes your kids’ car. They will leave their empty Gatorade bottles and candy wrappers on the ground. They’ll forget to grab the book they were reading. At times it will look like a garbage bomb exploded. You'll find things of theirs underneath the seats months later. You’re basically just the chauffeur.

6. You will fall in love

Leaving your kiddos will be the hardest day of all. You become part of the family. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.