Writing has become one of my most powerful tools of self-reflection as well as working with children over the years. Seeing thoughts, feelings, and emotions as passing clouds rather than walls and unmovable mountains was the game changer. Children live in the present moment. They care little about the past and can barely foresee a future. Their ideas come from their daily life. Their thoughts come as they may. Their feelings change with the wind and their emotions are deep wells of humanity’s purity. In this blog post, we will explore how being a child caregiver can make you a better person, teach you valuable life lessons, and help you understand emotions.

Since March of 2015, I have been a nanny. I have worked with children since high school. My senior year project was on elementary education and for a year, I was able to go to the local elementary school to help a teacher as an assistant weekly. Through pageantry, I mentored and coached well over 50 young girls in my career as a title holder. When I was Junior Miss NC 2004 and Teen Miss NC 2009, I was blessed to work with and raise money for the Children’s Home of Oxford, NC. Despite my upbringing, seeing children with no family units humbled me in the greatest way. I originally went to UNC Chapel Hill for elementary education because I wanted to teach first grade. However, a couple of my professors talked me out of it so I switched majors mid-college. So, as you can see, being a nanny was a part of my greater path. I have quit multiple times and even been given outs such as the pandemic, but no matter how much I try to run away from the task, God places educating and loving children high on my priority list.

The truth is, I’m freaking great with babies, children, and teens. I have many gifts but my true gift is the way I am with children. A child’s safety, future, and innocence is my passion. After having a tumultuous childhood, I knew from kindergarten that I wanted to work with children. The first adult I met that taught me gentle kindness like I had never experienced was my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lee. Her impact stayed with me for life and my dedication has been strong ever since.

Over the years, I’ve been a child caretaker, nanny, mom-mom, auntie, Dom, Dommy, Ah-Ah, Dom-Dom, and so many other names. It’s the highest honor I’ve received thus far and I wouldn’t trade a single memory with the children I’ve worked with for anything in this world.

Being a child caregiver can be an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding job, but it can also be challenging and demanding. It requires a great deal of patience, energy, and creativity, as well as a deep understanding of children and their needs. However, working with children can also have a profound impact on your personal growth and development.

1. Patience and Empathy

One of the most important skills that you will develop as a nanny is patience. Children have their own pace and their own way of doing things, and it can take time for them to learn new skills and adjust to new situations. As a nanny, you will learn to be patient with children and to understand that their behavior is often a reflection of their emotional state. You will also develop empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy is essential when working with children because it allows you to connect with them on a deeper level and to provide the emotional support they need.

2. Creativity and Flexibility

Another important skill that you will develop as a child caregiver is creativity. Children have vivid imaginations and love to play, so it is important to come up with new and exciting activities that will engage them and keep them entertained. You will also learn to be flexible and adaptable, as children’s needs and interests can change quickly. Being able to think on your feet and come up with new ideas will make you a better nanny and a more well-rounded person.

3. Communication and Problem-Solving

Being a nanny requires excellent communication skills, as you will need to be able to communicate effectively with both children and parents. You will also need to be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently, whether it is a minor issue like a spilled drink or a more serious problem like a child who is upset or injured. Learning how to communicate effectively and solve problems will not only make you a better nanny, but it will also help you in your personal and professional life.

4. Understanding Emotions

Working with children can also teach you a lot about emotions and how to manage them. Children experience a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to sadness and anger, and it is important to be able to help them understand and cope with these emotions. As a child caregiver, you will learn how to recognize and respond to different emotional states, which can help you in your personal relationships and in other areas of your life.

In conclusion, being a nanny or child caregiver can be a challenging but rewarding job that can teach you valuable life skills and help you grow as a person. By developing patience, empathy, creativity, flexibility, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of emotions, you will become a better nanny and a more well-rounded individual. I understand the world so much more because of the experiences I’ve had with the multitude of children I’ve worked with. Each personality helps you to see adults as their inner children and not take life so seriously or their faults so personally. One day, I hope to be a mom. If and when I do, these skills are the foundation I will use to be the best mommy I can be. I hope they help you, too, and I hope you can find a child in need and help them however you can so we can create a better world and a happier future. If you’re like me and love working with children and are looking for a fulfilling career, consider becoming a nanny, coach, or a teacher and see how it can transform your life!