I have been a nanny for five and a half years. Nothing is more frustrating when someone asks where I work and I reply “I’m a nanny!” they retort with something condescending or almost with concern for me. I have even had family and friends say that now I’m in college, it’s time I find a “real job.”

This is where I want to stop anyone who says “when you get a real job…” or “you should start applying for a ‘real job,” and explain to you how my years of experience is indeed a real job.

First of all, I have to clarify: there is a difference between a babysitter and a nanny.

A babysitter is someone who watches children from time to time, but a nanny is a caregiver for children on a consistent basis. This may be part of why people react the way they do when I share I am a nanny, simply because they are unaware that what I do is a professional gig.

I also think people have some sort of made up version of what my job is. In order to best explain what my job is, I feel that I should first explain what my job is not. Firstly, I do not sit on my phone all day. While yes, it is a job that makes my phone more available to me, I don’t get to (nor do I want to) be on my phone from 8-5.

Secondly, I don’t spend 9 hours a day playing games or watching TV.

This may be true for very few positions, but for me, I have a super active schedule and am constantly balancing many different activities, practices, meal times, homework, and leisure. Summertime is a little easier but there are still plenty of commitments kids have in the summer that nannies have to balance. One question I often get is “how fun is it to just hang out all day.”

Don’t get me wrong, all three positions I have held as a nanny over the years have always been a really fun and positive experience for me. I genuinely get along with my kids and am excited about work each and every day. But it isn’t fun and games the entire time I am working. There’s a lot of hustle and bustle and structure/organization that goes into my line of work.

Third, don’t worry, I can and I will be able to use this position on a resume. So often adults in my life (and I know it comes from a place of work) tell me I should consider switching fields in order to “gain work experience I can use on a resume.”

I am not ashamed to list my nanny positions as my experience because I know I have learned very valuable skills that some jobs just won’t teach me to the same capacity. As a professional caregiver, you have to be responsible, timely, task-oriented, disciplined, and be able to work well in chaotic situations. Often times people say I won't have the necessary requirements for a "real job" when in reality I develop skills every day.

Here is what my job IS.

My job is fun.

While yes, I did say before my job isn’t all fun and games, it certainly is a portion of it! I get to play games, watch movies, build legos or do crafts and build forts. Some days we go to the pool or bowling or a movie! While there is much more to my job than just having fun, it is a huge part of why being a nanny is so great.

My job is challenging.

am gifted in organization and scheduling, so I get to make a plan and execute it. I really enjoy being able to figure out what activities are happening when and how to get all tasks of the day accomplished. It is also challenging to know how to properly discipline as a third-party parent. Some days there are arguments or disagreements and I have to navigate how to be a temporary parent in those situations.

My job is rewarding.

Every day I get to go to work and have fun with some awesome kids. I get to form bonds I usually keep even when I move on from the position. I get to laugh, put band-aids on scrapes, exercise, and eat a LOT of mac and cheese! Each day I go to work, I know I am caring for someone's loved ones and that is such a special part of my job.

I love working with kids and their parents and learning so many new things. My job has taught me so many skills and strengths and has given me a new respect for parenthood. Nannying is not just carpooling and making PBJs, it is working hard each and every day to be a caregiver for a family. I treat these kids as if they were my siblings and work hard to not only make things fun but to make each day successful. In my opinion, nannying is one of the most rewarding jobs there is.

To all my fellow nannies out there- job well done! Be confident to share you DO have a real job!