To celebrate National Nanny Recognitions Week, I decided to introduce some wonderful nannies from Cincinnati. I hope that their stories, passions and challenges impact you!
MEET NANNY HEATHER!
1. What is your current nanny position?
I am currently a nanny for two boys outside of Blue Ash. J is three and M just turned one. I work three days a week for ten to ten and a half hours a day.
2. How/Why did you decide to become a nanny?
In the summer of 2007 I was given a wonderful opportunity that changed my path in life. I left my school and home in Indiana to live with a family in Maryland for the summer to be the nanny for two girls. By the end of the summer, not only did I want to stay, but I had changed my major from Elementary Education to Children’s Ministry. This decision happened because while we sat on the beach in the Turks/Ciacos I was watching the girls down the beach and verbally heard a voice say you need to go into the ministry; I looked down the beach and knew Children’s Ministry. Being a Christian I looked around and there was no one there. I knew I had heard God and I listened to His call.
3. Why are you passionate about working with children?
For as long as I can remember children have been my passion in life. Because my husband and I are not ready to have our own children yet, this gives me a great opportunity to continue to learn and get my “baby fix”. Many times over the years people have asked me “how can you stand to be around kids all the time?” My answer is they all need someone to love and play with them and if I can teach them in the process it will be a benefit to them in the long run, even if I’m no longer with them. I look forward to seeing children I have worked with in the future and see what they have done with their lives.
4. What is a misconception in your peers and family about the nanny profession?
Many times I hear “Oh, you’re their babysitter”, or you’re just a glorified babysitter. For a while I was asked when I was going to get a real job or use my degree for what it was meant for, but as the year has gone on people are finally getting it: This is my job, this is what I love and I am a professional.
5. In what areas do you currently feel challenged?
My biggest challenge right now is probably M. He has figured out walking and is into everything, but since he still can not communicate to us he just screams. Trying to keep him happy and figure out ways to communicate with him is definitely challenging, but fun at the same time because he is constantly changing and learning.
6. What about CincyNanny has been a benefit to you?
Before coming to Cincinnati I had mothers that I would make play dates with, but felt like I was alone. CincyNanny has helped me learn new things constantly. It has given me a sounding board for any questions or suggestions I may have. Because of CincyNanny I learned of International Nanny Association and was able to go. I have made many friends and since we had just moved here it was nice because I didn’t know anyone here and being nannies and having something in common we became fast friends.
7. What is something in your life, that is affecting you in a positive way, and therefore affecting the children in your care?
My husband and I have been talking about when we will try and have a baby and because of that all that I do in my life I am learning different things we can do to save money. Because I do work with children I am learning different discipline and just ideas on how to raise a child. I believe this will affect any child I work with whether it be my own or my charges.
8. What is a goal for the future?
I really enjoyed the INA Conference this year and I would like to implement more of the ideas and lessons I learned there. One of the big ones is Positive Discipline.
9. How do you refresh/re-coop/prepare from and for your nanny position?
I love to come home and spend the evening watching shows that my husband and I enjoy. I also love to go up to my scrapbooking room and put my thoughts and ideas into my scrapbooking. Currently I am working on my first nannying summer in 2007.
10. What changes would you like to see changed or questions to be answered in the nanny Industry?
I think it would be great to be able to find Nanny Industries or groups a lot easier. Now that I am apart of a group I seem to be finding them, but until I came to Cincinnati I had not heard of any of them. So for others out there that feel like they are all alone like I did just over a year ago I think it would be a huge benefit.
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Thanks so much to Heather who shared with us today! Stop back tomorrow to meet another CIncyNanny!
