I was a live-in nanny for my last two years of high school. Not everyone is cut out for the random hours, strange tasks, and insane conversations that come along with helping raise a 7-year-old, but the experience is invaluable. Suddenly being responsible for another life taught me so much that would have taken me years otherwise.
I would do it again in a heartbeat, and anyone who runs into the same opportunity should jump at the chance to take a crash course in growing up that is unlike any other.
Here was my schedule, five days a week:
6:00- Wake up. Get ready. Make lunches.
6:45- Wake Z up. Argue about brushing teeth.
6:49- Argue about brushing hair.
7:10- Triple check Z has her glasses.
7:15- Put Z on the bus if her mom isn't home yet (spoiler: she isn't).
7:15- Put Z on the bus if her mom isn't home yet (spoiler: she isn't).
7:30-1:25 School.
2:45-5:00- Work at daycare.
5:30-8:00- Work at the restaurant/Soccer practice/Have a "day off"
9:00- Be at Z's. Give her a bath. Argue about brushing teeth/hair.
9:30- Put Z in bed.
10:00- Z gets out of bed when she hears my friend/sister/boyfriend come in.
10:10- Put Z back in bed.
10:11- Put Z back in bed.
10:30- Put Z back in bed. Threaten to call mom.
11:30- Go to bed.
The question was always why? Why spend all your time with a 7-year-old? Why don't you get a real job? Why are there crayons all over your car? Why are you wearing a hello kitty headband? And for anyone who has never been in my position, here's why:
9:00- Be at Z's. Give her a bath. Argue about brushing teeth/hair.
9:30- Put Z in bed.
10:00- Z gets out of bed when she hears my friend/sister/boyfriend come in.
10:10- Put Z back in bed.
10:11- Put Z back in bed.
10:30- Put Z back in bed. Threaten to call mom.
11:30- Go to bed.
The question was always why? Why spend all your time with a 7-year-old? Why don't you get a real job? Why are there crayons all over your car? Why are you wearing a hello kitty headband? And for anyone who has never been in my position, here's why:
1. Organization
I can juggle schedules like it's my job (because it was). We're talking about time management here people and it isn't always pretty. When your days are scheduled down to the minute there is no time to forget the car seat because it will ruin everything. I will admit to this being a partial source of my perfectionism- but hey what's wrong with doing things the right way at the right time?
2. Responsibility
Nothing could have prepared me more for living on my own than living with Z. Nannies aren't only responsible for their own homework/chores/behavior, but also that of a child. There is grocery shopping, homework checking, doctor's appointments and uncontrollable tears. And the nanny takes care of it all.
3. Independence
Perhaps it was being a nanny, or perhaps it is simply a combination of aforementioned organization and responsibility, but the independence was liberating. With three jobs, the hours added up quick. I got paid to sleep. I got paid to watch movies and eat ice cream. I got paid to hang out with my 7-year-old best friend. I didn't have to ask my parents for money anymore and I never looked back.
When I got to college I was used to not seeing my family everyday. Transitioning was so easy because nannying had prepared me for being on my own.
4. Unconditional Love
It wasn't until Z asked me to be her "forever mom" that I realized the impact I was having on her life. Somewhere between eating chicken nuggets and laughing at Spongebob or the crazy new puppy, I formed an incredible bond with a little girl who will surely grow up to be an amazing woman. I may have helped teach her things like grammar and math, but she taught me things like patience and compassion.
I'm not saying it was easy. I'm not saying I never screwed up. I'm not saying I didn't miss out on this big game or that crazy party. What I am saying is that every minute I spent chasing Zoey around was invaluable to my own growth. I am saying I wouldn't be the person I am today if I never stepped outside my comfort zone. I am saying there is nothing more rewarding. I am saying that being a nanny is the best job in the entire world.
I can juggle schedules like it's my job (because it was). We're talking about time management here people and it isn't always pretty. When your days are scheduled down to the minute there is no time to forget the car seat because it will ruin everything. I will admit to this being a partial source of my perfectionism- but hey what's wrong with doing things the right way at the right time?
2. Responsibility
Nothing could have prepared me more for living on my own than living with Z. Nannies aren't only responsible for their own homework/chores/behavior, but also that of a child. There is grocery shopping, homework checking, doctor's appointments and uncontrollable tears. And the nanny takes care of it all.
3. Independence
Perhaps it was being a nanny, or perhaps it is simply a combination of aforementioned organization and responsibility, but the independence was liberating. With three jobs, the hours added up quick. I got paid to sleep. I got paid to watch movies and eat ice cream. I got paid to hang out with my 7-year-old best friend. I didn't have to ask my parents for money anymore and I never looked back.
When I got to college I was used to not seeing my family everyday. Transitioning was so easy because nannying had prepared me for being on my own.
4. Unconditional Love
It wasn't until Z asked me to be her "forever mom" that I realized the impact I was having on her life. Somewhere between eating chicken nuggets and laughing at Spongebob or the crazy new puppy, I formed an incredible bond with a little girl who will surely grow up to be an amazing woman. I may have helped teach her things like grammar and math, but she taught me things like patience and compassion.
I'm not saying it was easy. I'm not saying I never screwed up. I'm not saying I didn't miss out on this big game or that crazy party. What I am saying is that every minute I spent chasing Zoey around was invaluable to my own growth. I am saying I wouldn't be the person I am today if I never stepped outside my comfort zone. I am saying there is nothing more rewarding. I am saying that being a nanny is the best job in the entire world.
My sister was a nanny for four children (with two extra kids on the weekends). Luckily, she didn't stay the night because she probably would have gone insane. Being a nanny is a hard job that doesn't get the acknowledgment it deserves. Although stressful and difficult, my sister's (and your) job seems very rewarding. It made her grow up, which for many kids our age is a feat yet to be accomplished.
ReplyDeleteYour argument makes being a nanny seem worth while. Despite the responsibilities and time commitments the relationship you made with Z and the things you learned from her truly are invaluable.
ReplyDeleteI would struggle balancing so many responsibilities while trying to keep my sanity intact. That being said, the amount of things you have learned because of nannying really shows what a rewarding experience something that pushes you out od your comfort zone can be.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this. I am one of those people who says "why would you ever want that" and i feel I have a much deeper understanding of its rewarding aspects. I definitely think it takes a certain type of person to handle all the responsibility and organizing. I know I couldn't do it. Or atleast not while I was in high school. Knowing a child's development, and not even your own child, rests on your actions is beyond scary.
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