I really wanted an awesome internship this summer. Unfortunately, getting an internship isn't so easy when you've only completed one year of college. So, putting that want on hold for a little bit, I decided I would take up nannying.
I love kids and have lots of experience working with them, so it was a natural choice. After communicating with a few families, I found one that seemed just right.
This summer I am nannying for two girls, ages 6 and 8. You'd be surprised to know how much these little munchkins have taught me!
1. Patience
I always thought of myself to be a pretty patient person. But when it comes to caring for two little girls who seem to have all the energy in the world, you start to learn a thing or two about what it really takes to keep your cool.
2. Creativity
When I was younger, I was able to play with my Barbies and Polly Pockets for hours on end. But all kids are different. The girls I babysit always want to do something new. Because of this, I had to get extremely creative when coming up with new games and activities for us to do. When I tell you that I've played the oddest and unique games this summer, I'm not lying.
3. Problem Solving
Babysitting is not a piece of cake. Whether someone gets hurt, a fight ensues about what movie they want to watch, or one (or both) of them have a complete meltdown, it's up to you, and you only to figure out how to solve the mess and make sure everyone is happy.
4. Saying No
I was so drained after my first day babysitting these girls because I wanted them to like me. I said "yes" to practically everything they asked me that day. Fortunately (for me, not them) I learned how to start saying "no" to them. While they may be upset at first, kids usually have a pretty short attention span, so they'll forget about it in a few minutes and before you know it, you'll be onto the next thing!
