Like many people my age, I spent the summer nannying. This year, I worked with two pre-teen girls, and I hope they learned just as much from me as I did from them. There were long days and disagreements, but we also had some pretty epic dance parties and jokes too. Here are some things that I'll definitely hold with me for, basically, forever.
1. It's really not that difficult to make someone smile.
Whether it was an excited wave when I picked you up from school or a thumbs up when your sister did something notable, I somehow forgot how easy it is to put a smile on someone's face. Thank you for the high fives, thumbs ups, and waves. Those little gestures made my day.
2. Flexibility is the name of the game.
Some days we watched movies and other days we went to the playground, the park, and the pool in an insanely short period of time. It was never routine, and it was exciting to be apart of. By the end of the summer, I learned to embrace the changes and unexpected outings as they came.
3. The best way to bond with someone is to sing to the radio with the windows down.
Thank you for jamming to Adele, Taylor Swift, and this summer's hits. Singing and dancing like no one is watching is truly a forgotten art, and I'm glad that we were able to share all of the harmonies and laughs. Your misheard lyrics will make me laugh well into my fall semester.
4. Patience may be a virtue, but it's a lot easier to find with a cup of coffee in hand.
Some days were harder than others, but that comes with the territory. I've learned that the best way to negotiate disagreements can include a deep breath, a step back, and a count to ten over sips of a White Chocolate Mocha. I've also learned that acknowledging a child's feelings can help to settle an argument. "I know you're upset that we aren't going to the pool today, but we'll go another day this week," is a lot more effective than yelling, "YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN." Raising your voice to settle a situation will probably continue the cycle of strong, negative emotions.
5. Don't let the little things ruin your day.
This is one lesson that I'm still trying to learn. Let's say one of the girls left your car window cracked and it started pouring. You could get angry and yell, or you could clean it up, accept their apology, and remind yourself and the kids to always check the windows before leaving the car. One of the girls wakes up in a bad mood and is immediately dismissive when you greet her in the morning. Give her some space and greet her with a smile. Like I said, I still struggle with this sometimes, but I've found it to be a helpful reminder.
All in all, I had an eventful and enjoyable summer nannying. We made memories that I'll never forget, and I hope that the girls learned as much as I did!
