Being "Just" a Part-Time Mom

I thought I would start off my next blog explaining a bit of what I do. I am a nanny for many families. What does this mean? This means that my job is never the same. I spend my days boo-boo kissing and hearing about school plays; I spend my time looking for fluffy the stuffed animal we cannot sleep without. I color in coloring books, I teach how to write our names. I drive great distances for a few hours of work, and most of the time am looked down upon. "Oh, you're 22 years old and just a nanny?" I sometimes only work 20 hours a week, when other times I feel like I live in 5 different places because I'm working 60 hours a week in different homes. I get paid minimal, and forget health insurance or any kind of "benefit package" (haha!). I have found my own benefits for this "job" that is just plain love.

Walter calls me a part-time Mommy and I think this is almost fair to say. If you've met me, you'd know that I have a brag book full of children who I spend hours and hours with a week. I know their fears, and the food that always cheers them up. I know what teachers they dislike, and I know not only their friends' names, but I know exactlty why each of them were chosen to be a friend. I have a carseat in the back of my car, am sure to purchase my cell phone protection plan every month (cell phones make noise, are shiny, and are usually just for "adults". What a simple, yet special treat! A child favorite!) and make sure the my gps is up to date just in case you'll need to me to take the to grandma's or the park or the grocery store later.

It's the best job ever. I love spending time with "my kids" all day long...
but sometimes, like every job, this job can really break your heart.

No one pays attention to the nanny. Who cares? She's just coming over to watch Bob and Sue for a few hours and whatnot. Blah. Whatever.

You have no idea what I see in people's houses or the shape they are sometimes in. I've seen children be severly underweight, and seriously overweight. I've heard horror stories of what "Mommy and Daddy told..." their children while being angry. I don't expect to be a perfect parent either. I know I'll never get it 100% right, but I know this is the best job that I can learn from for my someday family.