I am a nanny, as you all know by now. I am not a mum but I am just like one. Yes I get full nights sleep (sometimes), that is why I am important, I am the fully functioning day time mummy. The one who is on all day so that mum can be on all night. I know which I would prefer, sorry mums. I find myself too often having to defend my job, whether it is hard work, real work or just play. Stay at home mums sadly have the same issue as me, it isn't work, it is staying at home... if being a nanny is officially a job how is being a stay at home mum not...?
As a nanny I dont just watch children, I am a mother of another kind, one that didn't give birth to a child, who had no claim to them in any way but loves them all the same. No I am not a mother but I am more than a child minder. I may leave the house empty handed (unless you are a live in nanny) and get to 'give them back at the end of the day' but only in a physical sense. I worry about them when I am not there, I miss them when I don't see them, I think of new activities, doctors appointments, birthday parties, presents, hair cuts, school you name it... all the time. Just because I walk out the door and get to recuperate it doesn't mean I forget what I am, the role I play and the little people I am assisting to raise.
The realities of being a nanny or to that point a mum....
I have not and never will sit on a baby, nor do I just watch children all day.
I do not sit and drink coffee and chat away my days
I do not play endlessly with happy smiling children
I live 2 lives, that of someone else and then my own. For a job I live someone else's life and then at the end of the day still have mine to attend to. I repeat the same things for myself as I have just done all day.
I do not sleep in...
I do not get a free ride, I am a live in nanny but I pay my way
I am trained to do this job, I didn't just fall upon it
I am part of the reason children are sent to school with manners, knowledge, ability to learn and respect
I get holidays like everyone else does, and I also get weekends as that is the job I chose
No I will not share with you all the details of the family I work for
Yes me and these children love each other
Yes they are comfortable with me... I am with them 12 hours a day 5 days a week
No I won't do this job forever
Yes I will probably have children
No I am not turned off
Yes I love what I do
Yes I do love children....
Yes I am good with children
Out of sight out of mind is a real thing, sorry mums but your angels do forget you for the short time you are gone (only to the effect of being distracted)
One day I was talking to my boss about what people say to me about being a nanny. Comments from on lookers or people who ask what I do, or friends who have 1 child and automatically see me as the help and not a "mother of sorts". He turned to me and said; "If only they saw what you do, you are a mummy!"
That one line has cured all feelings of discomfort or appreciation in what I do, someone out there believes that the job I do it just as important.
So to all my nanny followers and peers this is for you. Something to relate to and give you a chance for the confirming nod and grin as you read. For all of our other viewers I hope that answers all the questions you have.
Please share your stories, nanny confessions or comments with us. We love hearing them all.
