In my senior year of high school, I was so grateful to have found a job that I fell in love with. That job was nannying. As a nanny you are, in certain ways, a third guardian to the children that you are taking care of. It is a step above babysitting because of the fact that you are leaving such an impact on the children and you become a part of their daily routines. Although I only did this part-time, the little girls that I cared for are still such a significant part of my life (as well as their parents).

I cared for two little girls who were four and seven years old. Every day, I would pick up the four-year-old from preschool and bring her back to the family’s house to wait for her older sister to get off of her school bus. While we waited, the youngest and I would work on homework and have a snack. The same thing would happen when the oldest got off of the bus. Besides homework and building their academic strengths, throughout the rest of the day I would handle various things such as driving the girls to activities, straightening up the house, feeding the girls, helping them get ready for bed, reading and playing with them.

During my time with this family, I realized a lot of things about myself that I had never discovered. I had always loved children, but through caring for these girls on a daily basis, I developed a sort of maternal instinct that had me always ‘on’ and ready for anything. Having a schedule was a key factor to 'nannying' and I realize now how crucial it was because I continue this in my everyday life. I always wanted the girls to succeed and I always wanted to help them. I really did become attached to them from spending so much time with them and it was a great feeling to share that kind of bond.

I loved to hear about the girls’ success in school. After helping them study for their little tests, helping them with projects and their homework, seeing them succeed was a little victory for myself as well because I was overseeing their work. Seeing how proud they were when they accomplished their own tasks made me feel accomplished in mine as a nanny and caregiver.

When I was young, I grew very fond of some of the girls who would take care of me and I still have great relationships with them as a young adult. Honestly, they shaped me to become the nanny I am and I make sure that they are aware of that. I am so thankful that I was able to form a bond with such an amazing family, just as I had seen from my own past caregivers with my family. When parents put their trust in you to take care of their children, it may seem intimidating at first. All you want to do is be the best caregiver and person you can be for the family and hearing that you are ‘one of the best they have ever ad’ gives you a rewarding feeling like no other.

Being a nanny truly developed me as a person by enhancing my time management skills, tutoring skills, and even communication skills. This experience has prepared me for the real world, especially for when I have my own family someday. When a child dedicates their book report to you, you know your job has been done well. So, if you have been debating whether or not the nanny life is the right one for you, just know that it truly is one of the most rewarding jobs (and even careers) as long as you are up for the challenge, have enough bandwidth, and pair with the right family.