Secret Diary of a Caregiver

Since mid-January, I've been part-time nannying for a family, that I grew up with! It's funny how it all comes back around! These kids' mother, and my sister were great little pals, and our fathers were friends long before they had wives. Loooong history :)

Anyways, this experience has given me lots of thoughts, and made me feel a bit like a mom! 

Unfortunately Hollywood seems to paint the picture of babysitting one of two ways: lollipops and gum drops, happy kids, happy sitters, zero mess and perfectly smooth evenings. Or. It's the horror of all horrors. Terror kids, food on the ceiling, poop on the sitters face, who knows what all else generously scattered all through the house, etc.

However, neither of these are accurate, in the least. I've compiled a list of things, that are the realities of babysitting/childcare.

1) No day is a perfect day. Allow for the dishes to stay in the sink, even through nap time. Sometimes, your rest is going to be more beneficial for everyone.

2) Don't expect to stay in the outfit you put on that morning. A combination of food, snot, spit, among other things may pose a problem for keeping your outfit clean.

3) Never underestimate how important something is to a child. The trivial things of weed-flowers and scattered stones maybe be trashy trinkets to us, but if it's all they child has to give, it means a whole lot more to them. Treasure every gift.

4) You will feel like a broken record when working with kids between 2-5. Repeat, repeat, repeat! Answer the same questions every time. And sometimes, I do have to look at my inquisitive two year old and lovingly say "Dear, that's enough." If that doesn't work, I put the question back on her. If the relentless question is "What is (insert name here) doing?" I simply say, "(*Insert child's name here), what is (whoever) doing?" Generally the child will go "Oh." And provide the answer for themselves.

5) *Use the child's name. I feel more respected when people use my name, look me in the eye, and take the time to answer my stupid questions. A child is a valued human and should be given the same respect. Taking two extra seconds to drop to a squat to chat with a child brings you to a more touchable level, and you become easier to talk to.

6) You might need an extra cup of coffee. Those days happen too. Let them.

7) Nothing means more than a trusting child putting their hands on your face, whispering in your ear and telling you secrets, or says "I love you."

8) Take the time to be silly. This means so much to kids who are a little older (as in, not 18mos. and younger).

9) Don't say anything, ANYTHING, you do not mean. A child will either take it to heart, or hold it against you.

10) Don't look at the kids like a job. Look at it like an opportunity. The parents have given you permission to influence their children. Make sure you leave a good impact, not one that parents have to train out, or not ask back.

11) Have FUN. Kids can say and so some of the best things. And it reminds us how precious kids are when we value what is valuable to them.

I hope you all enjoyed my first entry of "Nanny diaries" :)

~Mal