One of the most common questions I get when I tell people I'm a nanny is, "Cool, so do you, like, just play with kids all day?", or sometimes the "That's so FUN! Do you ever want a REAL job?"
HA. (I'm not even going to address the "real job" accusation that I hear all the time. that's a whole different subject, one of which I tend to get fired up about... so I will refrain. It IS a real job, one which carries with it great responsibility to speak life and truth over little people, among other things. Over and out.)
Moving on...
Well...yes...it IS fun. and yes. I sort of "play" with kids all day.
What most people don't know is that I just washed my hair with burst of blueberry blast tear-free shampoo, survived quite the insane trip to the beach that included coralling 3 (next to my usual 5) kids, spilled drinks, a tired baby, and a major sand-in-the-eyes mishap, and I am currently reading a book about baby sign language.
Maybe the following list will give you a glimpse into the daily life I live as a nanny.
You know you're a nanny when~
-You drive a car with carseats in the back and the Toy Story soundtrack cranked up.
-Your perfume switches between stinky feet, hot dogs and baby sunblock.
-When a friend grabs your phone to play a game due to boredom, and they realize all you have are fisher-price games.
-The most common phrase out of your mouth is "Oh, I'm just the nanny."
-A "normal" schedule consists of days starting at 6 am and not finishing until the last head is down on the pillow at night.
-98% of your photos or status' are of or about kids.
-You can sing all the theme songs to Phineas and Ferb, Hannah Montana, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
-You get excited when Parent magazine comes in the mail.
-You are much better at socializing with a group of moms and discussing Cars underwear and training wheels than you are socializing with people your own age.
-You're told you have a "mom" look when the need arises.
-You get two types of looks when you are out in public- The sympathetic, "awww poor single mom with five boys" or the judgemental "hmph young, single mom with five boys."
-When people ask if you've seen any good movies lately...you can ramble off every animated/kids movie but are pretty much clueless as to what "grown-up" movies are out.
-You watch the same movie over and over for months until the next big animated movie comes out....then you watch that one over and over and over.
-You realize at the end of the day that you walked around all day with dried oatmeal all over the back of your skirt.
-You can stand in Target with your "boss" discussing/analyzing what the best sippy cup is.
-You can have the worst day and have it all turned around by a sweet hug from a three year old.
-When "Miss" has become a permanent part of your first name.
-When it's not out of the norm to walk around the mall with a baby on your hip, pushing a stroller, and kids trailing behind you.
-Sunday is your dress up day, because the rest of the week you spend chasing sweaty boys in shorts and a t-shirt.
-You find joy and yet your heart aches when seeing simple accomplishments, like a babies first words, a kid reading you his first book, or facing fears and growing up.
-You can make a killer airplane-shaped PB&J, and a quesadilla that takes two seconds. flat.
-You love analyzing birth-order and personalities.
-The workers at the local kid's activity centers know you by name.
-When you go shopping for clothes, the first priority is to find things that are "kid friendly" and easy to move in.
-Your favorite thing to see is a child smile at you or repeat something that you have taught them.
-Every load of your laundry finds a mini sock that has somehow managed to make it into your laundry.
-You don't go anywhere without Hand Sanitizer and Clorox wipes.
-When a baby you have known since birth says your name for the first time... and you cry.
-When you've had a really rough day of discipline issues, spilled milk, washing the floors three times....and then the day ends with little arms wrapped around you telling you how much they love you.
-You get a beautiful water color painting slipped under the door after a long hard day.
-A sweet boy gets so excited to share with you something new he's learned or something he's overcome.
-You spend each day knowing that you aren't just "babysitting" but that you are playing a part in molding a life.
-You experience all this, yet have no kids of your own.
My life is crazy. It's over-the-top. It's exhausting. It's tough.
But it's one with great purpose, promise, and worth.
Because I'm nannying with Jesus at my side... helping me make decisions and guiding my heart and hands as He allows me to teach, admonish, and love.
It's a hard, selfless, GOOD life.
Thank you, God.
Love,
Lissy Lou
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