So, what do you do all day?

Most stay at home parents, and nannies, at some point in their time raising children, have received some form of criticism or judgement for doing the job they do. For nannies, some people don't consider it to be a "real" job; much like how moms are often criticized for choosing to stay home with their children. It would be difficult to put yourself in the shoes of someone who is spending their days raising children when you've never spent any time in that role yourself. I am often met with silence after responding to the question "what do you do?" with "I'm a nanny". No, I am not able to lounge around someone else's house all day watching day time TV and eating their food. Nor am I sitting on my phone all day talking to friends and ignoring the tiny humans in my care. My days are filled with fun and laughter, yes, but its not all sunshine and roses. If you think I'm playing dress up all day and acting like a big kid you're sadly mistaken (mostly, because yes that happens too). Here is an incomplete list of just a few of the things that fill my days as a nanny:

  • Plan nutritious and tasty meals that kids will hopefully eat

  • Make and serve breakfast

  • Make and serve lunch

  • Prep, cook, and serve dinner

  • Clean up after meals

  • Prep snacks

  • Grocery shopping

  • Wipe snotty noses. All. Day. Long.

  • Change diapers (6-7/day/child if we’re lucky)

  • Clean up after little “accidents”

  • Get children to and from school/activities/play dates on time

  • Make sure the school is stocked with spare clothes and diapers

  • Arrange and schedule classes

  • Organize play dates

  • Encourage language development

  • Encourage socializing

  • Teach and model manners and respect

  • Soothing when hurt

  • Provide appropriate care when injured

  • Keep on a consistent routine for sleeping

  • Set up doctors appointments

  • Set up dentist appointments

  • Arrange hair cuts

  • Laundry... and then... more laundry

  • Fold said laundry and put away neatly so your 2yo can later pull it all out again

  • Manage melt downs appropriately

  • Balance independent play and playing together

  • Introduce children to new developmentally appropriate activities and experiences

  • Introduce challenging activities to encourage growth

  • Teach self help skills

  • Encourage resilience whilst ensuring they feel loved and secure

  • Make sure the house is stocked with diapers, wipes, lotions, diaper creams, paper towels, toilet paper, medicines, shampoo, dishwasher powder, laundry detergent...

  • Load dishwasher

  • Empty dishwasher

  • Ensure toys and play areas are clean

  • Plan arts and craft activities

  • Discipline appropriately and effectively

  • Provide a fun learning environment

  • Encourage reading and interest in books/new words

  • Encourage toilet training

  • Introduce new concepts

  • Put away toys at the end of the day

  • Bath the children – try not to get soaked.

  • Make sure everything and everyone are ready for bedtime.

  • Provide and stick to a consistent bedtime routine.

That's all I could think of off the top of my head, I'm sure to have forgotten something as is typical when you have a million things to do! Now, please excuse me while I go put on my fairy wings and dance to the "Monster Boogie" whilst simultaneously picking up crumbs from the floor.

Published by Nanny Magazine

@nannymagazine

Nicola MantonComment