Three years ago, I was working for minimum wage at a daycare and dealing with screaming kids and complaining parents. Now, I love kids. I loved getting to watch them grow and learn. But I was desperately searching for something slightly different.

One of my best friends had become a nanny for the first time that year, and it peaked my interest. I could still work with kids, just not as many. I was sold.

In April of 2015, I started nannying then an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl. It was challenging. It was fun. It was different. But it was often kind of rewarding in a way. Now, as I write this in June of 2018, I'm watching those same two kids, now 11 and 13.

Being a nanny is so much more than you actually think. For starters, it's totally different than being a babysitter.

When you think "babysitter", parents go out on a Friday night and a babysitter watches the kids.

When you think "nanny", Monday through Friday after school, a nanny helps with homework, takes them to practice, and makes them dinner. But anyone who has been a nanny would tell you it's so much more than that.

Over the last three years, I've gotten to watch these two kids grow. I've gotten to watch them learn and succeed. I've seen them laugh. I've seen them cry. I've gotten to see how excited they were over achievements. I've seen them disappointed over defeat.

Actually, getting to be a nanny has given me more than I ever thought it would three years ago.

It taught me to have patience. I may have to ask them to do something more than once, but eventually they'll do it. I may have to example something more than once, but eventually they'll understand.

It taught me that kids don't always mean what they say. Sure, I've been told, "I'm the worst babysitter ever", or "I hate you." It stings for a second. But they don't always mean it.

It taught me to appreciate little moments, whether it's sitting outside together after school or hanging out on the couch when they're home sick. You don't get moments like that too often, so you have to enjoy them when you do.

It gave me the ability to multitask a lot. I could be making one dinner, while filling up the other's water bottle while they're yelling from upstairs where their uniform is. It also makes me wish I had another arm on multiple occasions.

But the most important thing being a nanny gave me was the opportunity to be a little piece of two incredible kids' lives. I've gotten to laugh with them, play with them, and cheer them up. I've gotten to see them achieve milestones. I've seen their amazing personalities grow and blossom.

Every time someone asks me what it's like to be a nanny, I tell them nothing short of crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.