Life as a nanny is pretty much as good as it gets when it comes to summer jobs in between semesters. I have been a summer nanny for two years, now, and I will never take the experience for granted. I'm thankful for everything I have learned and the ways in which I have grown from it. If you work with kids, you know that it takes a unique person to work with kids 24/7.
I'm happy to say that being with children never leaves me disinterested. My favorite thing about working with kids is that they experience excitement in every part of the day, something that gradually fades with maturity into adulthood. There is always a song to sing, a game to play, or somewhere to go. Being a nanny lets me relive parts of my childhood that I miss the most. For example, no adult would willingly play tag in the pool or play in the sprinkler on a hot summer day. Being a nanny gives me an excuse to do some of the things that I missed so much.
Being a nanny or babysitter also tests your creative and innovative skills. For example, when it comes to painting and crafting, I have to say that I am usually not very gifted and therefore I did not enjoy it as much compared to others. But by doing arts and crafts with the kids all summer, I was able to improve my crafting skills and it finally became an activity that I thoroughly enjoy doing. As a nanny, it is important to keep your kids entertained throughout the day. Sometimes on a boring day, making up a new game or telling a scary story is just enough to fill up that time slot and provide some entertainment.
My many years of babysitting and nannying have also taught me to be patient and responsible, two skills that I identify and admire in myself. Being responsible for a child that is not your own can be a heavy load for some. But it helped me realize that you are no longer what's most important, you must put your needs aside to make room for the needs of others. My patience is one of my most valued skills, and it is all thanks to babysitting and nannying. It is not a skill that develops over night, but develops after many nights of whining/crying toddlers and unsatisfied kids. There is no such thing as instant satisfaction when it comes to dealing with an issue that a child is having. You have to work with them until you solve the problem at hand and stop the tears. Some problems are short-lived, and others take a little bit longer to solve. But giving it your best shot is what ultimately counts.
One of the main things that nannying and babysitting has given me is a newfound appreciation for my parents. Now that I know, first-hand, what it's like to care for children, I can't help but be thankful for the way in which my parents cared for me and raised me to be the person that I am today. This new perspective has shed light on my childhood and why I am the person that I am today.
It's almost impossible to be a regular sitter or nanny and not develop a bond with the kids. When I returned to North Carolina for college, I found that it wasn't my friends that I missed the most, but the families that I regularly work for. No one can put a smile on my face quite like those kids do, and I miss them every day. I'm thankful for all of the support and love that my "nanny families" have given me. Working with kids has led me to pursue a career in the field of social work. For that realization and all the other lessons I have learned, I am thankful.
