1. What is your Current Nanny Position?

I currently nanny for a family in Hyde Park. I care for two boys, A is 4 years old, very curious and completely immersed in anything he can learn or explore. Z is 17 months old. He was born on my second day working for the family, is now a master of mobility and is beginning to put some words together. Both are total love bugs and show me how much they love me each day. I work Monday through Friday 8:15 AM to about 5:30 PM with varying hours on occasion. My responsibilities are to care for the children- provide fun, creative and educational experiences; basic housework- clean up after myself and the boys, run dishwasher, children’s laundry; plan meals, provide transportation. The priority is always the children. If the day’s events require more of my attention, the laundry, etc can always wait.

2. How/Why did you decide to become a Nanny?

Nannying came pretty naturally to me. My mom was a nanny for years before having her own children and now watches the children of the girl she nannied years ago. I have been babysitting since I was about 11 and have always found children incredibly refreshing. I left college with little inspiration to continue into any business or office career and had lost interest in my area of study (art education). It was then that I worked in a fitness facility where I met my first family. I cared for their 4 children for about 3 years until I began working for my current family.

I became a nanny because I find that I can connect to most any child and enjoy seeing the world through their eyes while also guiding them to new discoveries. I never could have imagined how rewarding and rejuvenating my profession could be. How many other people love their jobs and get to give and receive love each and everyday? I couldn’t ask for more!

3. Why are you passionate about working with children?

There are so many reasons l am so passionate about children. I love watching them discover and figure out everything in their world. I also love that they are blank canvases. They learn something new everyday. I enjoy teaching them the smallest things. Like right now, A is all about letters and the sounds they make. I have been watching him put everything about letters and sounds together until he has sounded out his first reading words! It’s amazing how much a child can change each day. Having been with Z since his first days on the planet, I have been watching him grow, change and discover everyday. I can’t get over how much happens in their little lives and bodies! Kids of every age put everything into the most basic understandings. Seeing the world from their perspective is always enlightening and -at the same time- grounding. The boys would never guess that they teach me as much I as do them. I cherish the connections I make with each child individually also. Children are naturally my passion.

4. What is a misconception in your peers and family about the Nanny profession?

There are so many misconceptions about this industry. I get a lot of “Oh, you just babysit?” No. I don’t JUST babysit. I am far more than a sitter. To A, Z and their parents- I am a part of the family. I am welcomed into someone else’s home each day with the duty of contributing to the sculpting of little minds, little bodies and little lives. I am trusted with the most precious and prized possessions of this family- their children. I am treated as part of the family. I am on a team with the parents I work for. We work together! The boys and I have unique relationships also. While I may be there to be encouraging and an authority, A and I are most definitely friends! A often tells me that I am his best friend, or that he had missed me over a long weekend. On a few occasions I have heard the “That takes a special person,” or “Hard work- I couldn’t do it,” which sounds condescending to me. I suppose these are compliments. It isn’t always easy work, but I find it incredibly rewarding and I realize that it may not be someone else’s cup of tea. The biggest misconception is more of an assumption: Some people think that I nanny every waking hour and give all of my time for very little pay in return. In reality, I have a very fair -and often flexible- schedule and incredibly fair pay, not to mention an amazingly rewarding job.

5. In what areas do you currently feel challenged?

Although the boys have a regular routine and the days are fairly predictable, there are small challenges that arise each day. Teething, attitudes and napless kids can definitely be a challenge. There are some days that everything just happens at once: spills, we are late for school, dirty diaper, lost shoes. Just as quickly as everything seems to become a little too much, its over. I understand that its easy to become overwhelmed with the little challenges, but I can’t help but use these instances as a learning experience. Sometimes I look back and go, “Ok, that could have gone better,” and then I find a way to have better preparation or control for that situation in the future.

The only challenge I notice consistently is that it can be difficult to balance the differing needs of a preschooler and a toddler. A is somewhat independent- he can dress himself and can be ready to walk out the door solo. Even with his knowledge and abilities, A needs attention in the forms of affirmation, affection and encouragement. His needs can be difficult to balance with the things Z needs. Z is much more dependent on me- he needs me to dress him, feed him and buckle him. Each child needs one on one time that is tailored for just for them. I make an effort each day to do things with A that only he and I can do -like bake cookies or work on letter writing- while Z naps. And I work hard to have activities that are scaled to what Z is learning and the things he can do.

6. What about CincyNanny has been a benefit to you?

I have enjoyed connecting with other Nannies in our area. I had only known a handful of other Nannies before CincyNanny. Its nice to be able to socialize, compare notes and set up play dates with other Nannies. I love being a part of such an amazing community of Nannies! I use CincyNanny and its blog for resources and ideas and I am even reminded to renew my CPR certifications! It has also given me a place to send people who are interested in what I do. When someone asks me where to find a good Nanny or if I know of anyone looking for a Nanny I can send them to CincyNanny.com and let them see for themselves. Also, through CincyNanny I have become a member of INA which is a wonderful addition to my resume and experience. I’m so proud of CincyNanny and Nanny Greta for all of the fabulous things they are doing for families, Nannies and our city!

7. What is something in your life (separate from your Nanny position), that is affecting your life in a positive way, and therefore affecting the children in your care?

I’m certain that all of the great things that are happening in my life affect the boys. A perfect example is my fiancee, Rob. When I first started working with A and Z, Rob lived just a couple blocks away. He was a Nanny also at the time and often had mornings free while his kids were in school so he would meet up with us when I took the boys for a walk. A was immediately fascinated with Rob’s humor and antics. Now A affectionately refers to him as “Mr. Rob” (I encourage him to use “Miss” or “Mister” with elders) and Z lights up anytime Mr. Rob is able to stop by or join us on a field trip. In addition to Rob, I am extremely close with my family. We have regular play dates with my mom and the children she cares for. When I have a doctors appointment, my mom even watches the boys for me. My sisters have leant a hand when we have done activities or gone somewhere that requires two grown ups. We have even gone to visit my dad at his office to see his warehouse (fork lifts!) and eat lunch with him. A often requests to see Mr. Rob, my parents and sisters if he notices its been a while since he’s seen them. Just like I am a part of their family, the boys are definitely part of mine too!

8. What is a goal for the future?

I believe I have found my calling. Nannying is what I am supposed to be doing and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I interviewed for this position, I said that I planned to stay about 5 years. Now that I have been here nearly 2 years, it would break my heart to leave anytime soon. I hope to be able to stay with A and Z until they decide they no longer need my services. Besides that, I would love to be able to go back to school part time while still being able to watch A and Z. When Rob and I decide we are ready to start our own family, I would do my best to balance my own family’s needs with my time with A and Z.

9. How do you refresh/recoop/prepare from and for your Nanny position?

I have to confess, I often come home tired from being a big kid all day. There is always a period of time that I make sure to just sit down and breathe. Having cared for two other beings all day, I try to do something small for myself each day. Sometimes I buy lilies at the grocery or take time to read a book.

The most important thing I do to prepare for my day is to get plenty of sleep. I know it sounds trite, but I wouldn’t be half the nanny I am without sleep. I have to be ready to keep up with an always charged A and to be one step ahead of Z. If I don’t sleep well or long enough, it just throws my entire day. My other secret weapon is coffee. Although I only have one cup a day, it is my fuel. It gives me just the boost I need. And to be honest, there are days that I don’t see other adults so a stop at the coffee shop can be my dose of adult conversation that day.

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Closing Notes

Thanks so much, Lindsey, for opening up your world to us!

Nannies, please leave positive comments for Lindsey and encourage her!

If you are a Nanny living in the Cincinnati, your story could be next!