All of my life, I have grown up around children. My mom owned and directed a childcare center within our home. It was normal during the school year that my alarm was waking up to a crying newborn, and when I came home from school, it was snack time with twelve other kids. Having a crib in my room and toys in the living room on a daily basis was completely normal for me.
I loved helping my mom with diaper changes, feedings, and playing with the daycare kids. I just loved caring for babies at a young age. Even though I did have a younger brother, I felt like all of the kids she took care of were also my family. We laughed, learned, and all got into trouble together. My mom taught me all I know about caring for children. I know all about adult to child ratios, the proper diaper changing technique, (which apparently takes up to twelve minutes for one child. Yeah, it's exhausting.) and I also mimicked her kind spirit and loving character. This experience led me to discover the best job in the world: being a nanny!
Nearly ten years later, I am now a nanny for a family of four close to my hometown. Even though I attend college an hour and a half away from home, I care for their two daughters during summer breaks and occasional weekends. This family has opened up their lives to me in the last two years, and their children have taught me even more than I ever expected. I have gained patience, many different approaches to discipline in seeing the way these parents handle meltdowns, and the enormous amount of love and encouragement they offer to their children. I do believe it is an honor and a privilege to care for someone's child. A parent is trusting you to not only care for their child but to love them, keep them happy and most importantly, keep them safe.
The joy these children bring into my life is priceless. We play princesses, dress up in crazy costumes, blow bubbles, and bust out in the occasional dance party just before bedtime. All of these things might just seem small and unimportant, but I know that we are creating memories. Memories that I thought these little girls would cherish, but what I've learned is that they have given me memories that I will hold dear to my heart and carry with me through life.
While being a nanny brings its own challenges, I would never trade it for anything in the world, because every day is different. I expected to care for these girls and help their parents throughout the summer, but in reality, this family and their two amazing daughters is the reason I have the best job in the world!
