Nannying has been one the most surprising blessings of my twenties. I am the youngest of four and never even changed a diaper until I was a 20-something. I didn't even babysit as a teenager! KIDS WERE NOT MY THING. Then, I got a nannying gig with a mom that just really liked me and it’s been a roller coaster of learning ever since.
I nanny to make ends meet while I finish grad school and I am thankful for the current opportunity I have to do so. It has great to get a glimpse into what life with kids is really like. I do hope to have kids of my own one day and I know my work as a nanny will aid tremendously when that season of life comes about.
Through all the woes and victories of watching kids and taking them here and there what I have gotten the most humor from is the way in which people react to me. There are some funny struggles to being a nanny; here are few I’ve found the most amusing.
When people tell you the kids look just like you.
Oh, really! They do? That’s odd because we happen to share NONE of the same DNA! (Rolls eyes). Do people just say these cliché things to start conversation? I don’t really get it, like at all. Then the kids are all confused as to why this stranger said such a thing and the subtlety awkward, "oh I’m just their nanny" conversation begins.
When people compliment your “mom” body.
People have told me I look great for having young kids or just having a newborn (I’ve cared for toddlers and newborns). This is immediately super awkward! It's like, do I just take the compliment and keep it moving? I’ll probably never see them again BUT wait does my body look good for NEVER having kids? Now I’m self-conscious, I’m just going to let it slide this time. It is such a struggle to choose your battles on whether to correct someone or not.
When your uterus starts going CRAZY.
This happens to me right before my period when my uterus wants to be all pregnant and whatnot. I literally have to tell it to CALM DOWN, WE DON’T REALLY WANT KIDS RIGHT NOW. I just become the biggest mush of emotions and the crying and endless amounts of money kids entail just doesn’t seem to matter; I want to have a baby. The feeling totally passes and I’m beyond thankful kids are not a permanent part of my life yet. “Oh, but one day,” screams my uterus with its cramping pain. Ugh, the joys of womanhood
When single dads hit on you.
This is one of my most dreaded to wiggle out of. It’s a nice day, you take the kids to the park and they end up making playtime friends with other kids. The other children’s parent happens to be a single dad (which of course he makes known in the first few minutes of meeting) and he starts talking to you as the kids play. You then skillfully try to slip into the conversation that you’re the nanny and you watch how he slowly starts to retreat in interest. Nope, sorry sir, there will be no Brady bunch unions today. I’m still a totally irresponsible college student that’s in no place to be a mom or stepmom.
When people totally judge you because they think you're too young to be a mom.
Well, thank you for your confused stares and judge-y questions, but I am just the nanny. For the record though, young moms can sill be great moms! So, encourage them don't make slighted remarks.
All in all though nannying is seriously one of the best jobs a single woman or childless woman can have, even if just for a short time. It’s hard work but its important work, quirks and all!
So, to all those nannies out there, keep on keepin on!
