Yes, being a nanny means untaxed income which makes it a great choice for a summer job, but being a nanny means so much more than that. It means being a role model, being a caretaker, and most importantly: a friend. However, the kids I nanny do more for me than I could ever do for them. Here is why being a nanny is a blessing.
1. They cheer me up when I am sad.
One night I was working and I was having a horrible week. My boyfriend and I had just broke up and he was taking a different girl to an event we planned to go to together. I thought I could hold myself together for the night, but then I saw pictures of them together and got very upset. My nanny kids noticed and asked me what was wrong. They all came over to me and cheered me up by asking me if I wanted to watch a movie, and told me I'd be okay. It was such a sweet gesture, and certainly not the only time that they have made me smile.
2. They give me more patience than I could ever need.
Some days are wonderful, but I would be lying if I said some days weren't harder than others. I remember one day where one of the younger boys I had had Karate, but did not want to go. I had to chase him around the house to convince him to put on his gi. The whole time he would hide, and run away every time I found him. After 20 minutes of this game, I got him in the car and on our way to practice. When we got there, he refused to go inside. We had to sit outside for ten minutes before his Karate master picked him up and carried him inside to start the lesson. That was the hardest day of work I have had, and by no means was this a normal day, but I am proud I finished it. During that whole process, I didn't yell, I wasn't mean, I kept a level head, and more importantly, I got him to where he needed to be. I learned more about staying calm and staying focused than I could have doing anything else. So, though it was difficult, it was an incredibly beneficial experience.
3. They don't let me be boring.
I honestly think that if I were the type of nanny that just sat around all day, I wouldn't have a job. These kids keep me not only active, but help me be creative. Whether it is playing soccer outside, to having to plan indoor activities, there has to be something to do. It's also never just one thing either, there always has to be plenty of options. I think I spend more time coming up with something to do than actually doing the activity. After all the thought that takes place and the debating over who wants to do what, we finally pick an activity. By the end of the day, I'm more than likely brain dead and exhausted, but it's all worth it to see them having a great day.
4. They remind me to spend time with my family.
It always melts my heart to see when the boys get excited about their parents coming home, especially if they are on long trips. Younger kids are by far better at talking about how they miss their parents, and talking about how much they love spending time with them. The boys always talk about the fun times they spend with their dads. Often, they talk about it so much they really make me appreciate that I don't have to wait to see or talk to my parents. I get to see my parents when I choose, and they remind me that I should spend more time with them. They even make me appreciate everything my parents have done for me more, and will probably do for me in the future.
5. They remind me not to grow up too fast.
Often times, the most fun days are the days we spend time doing kid activities. This entails playing sports outside, running around, playing board games, video games, Nerf Gun wars, and more. When we do these I forget about everything stressful I have to do when I get home, and I simply just spend the day enjoying my job. Not only this, but it makes me appreciate that I don't have to be an adult all the time yet. It reminds me I am still learning, and I still have so many experiences yet to have. They help me live in the moment, and in that moment all that matters is having fun.
If you are thinking about being a nanny for the summer, I strongly encourage it. It is probably one of the best summer jobs you can have, as it is one that is fun and challenging at the same time. For me, it has truly been a blessing, I hope it can be for you too.
