The good, the bad, and the ugly. Nannies see and hear it all. We asked nannies in the Sittercity community to share some of the secrets of the trade with us.
What They Think About The Kids
- “The family I nanny for on a part-time basis is basically my second family. Their home is my home. The kiddos are basically my siblings and I love them so much. I would do anything for them.” – Chloe H.
- “I genuinely enjoy the process of raising children and helping out families and have always had an affinity for kids and babies. I love the idea that I could have an impact on someone’s life and have a hand in their upbringing.”- Amoni M.
- “The kids in my care have taught me how wonderful it is to learn and see things in a different way.” -Pamela H.
- “They have taught me to slow down. It’s easy to nag the kids because their schedules are so tight, but you must stop and enjoy life. There is always time for playing, fun, and reading an extra chapter, even if it means bedtime is a few minutes late.” – Allyson P.
The Craziest Things That Have Happened While On The Job
- “Being asked to take care of a sick child who was miserable and sobbing for their parents, but they had shut and locked their bedroom door because they needed to rest for work the next day.” – Analise A.
- “I was in an absolutely awful car accident with a semi truck and F350 on an interstate. Thankfully, the baby and I walked away without a scratch or bruise. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone.” – Rachel H.
- “I’ve been pooped on and puked on, but I would say the craziest thing that has happened to me would be when the boy I nanny for had one million questions about drugs, specifically opiates, and why people like to take them. Also, political discussions with children are mind blowing.” – Allison S.
What They Want Parents to Know
- “Nannies are people. We work hard and our industry has very few protections. Do the right thing, treat us right and we’ll never leave!” -Brittany G.
- “I think the most challenging part of being a nanny is that eventually, your services are no longer needed. And you’ve created this amazing relationship with a family and it has to come to an end at some point.”- Erica M.
- “It doesn’t have to be any kind of grand gesture at a specific time of year, you could always use your words to express your appreciation whenever you feel appreciative.” – Blanca L.
Why They Love The Job
- “I chose to become a nanny because I love taking care of others and being able to make a difference and impact others in a positive way.” -Keisha P.
- “The smiles!” -Leslie N.
- “These relationships have made me who I am today and I would like to think that I also left a lasting impact on the family as well!” – Chole H.
- “I love the small triumphs. My littlest nanny girl and I would pick her sister up every day from school. We always got there 3-5 minutes early to just practice the monkey bars before the bell rang. The first time she was able to go all the way across on her own, I cried!” – Mozelle J.
As a platform that connects families to nannies every day, we hear about the big and small ways nannies have positively impacted lives. It’s clear that being a nanny is a big job that has multiple facets, but ultimately it’s about the bonds created. The day to day love that they infuse into their work rarely makes the headlines but it moves the world we live in. That’s something we should celebrate!
