My Kids
As I was carrying a little 14 month old Monkey toddler up the stairs for his nap I thought to myself, “gosh I love this kid.” He had his little head rested on my shoulder as he was sleeping and his long legs were dangling – I couldn’t help but think, “he’s grown up so fast!” I still remember the night I met him, it was love at first sight… Or rather jumping at first sight. He was 2 months old and loved to stand in your lap and jump, I eventually had to hand him back to his dad so I could answer the interview questions properly enough that we’d get to have many more jumping sessions together in the future.There has come a time with a few children that I’ve nannied that I knew: I’ve reached the point of no return (on the love investment that is). There are 4 children that I have bonded with to an extent that I keep photos of them in my apartment, I still talk about them and remember special moments, and my heart still tugs when I think of them. To protect their privacy I will call them Sayboo, Ray Ray, The Little Man, and Monkey.
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10 comments:
You are so right- It is the best job known to man. You fall in love with these kids and never want to "give them up"
I'm no longer a nanny but I was, in varying capacities, for years, and some of those kids I'll never, ever forgot! I have a great deal of affection for all of the kids, but there's one that stands out more than the others. Ben... whoa boy. Ben was a firecracker. The first time I met him he was dancing naked around the house. The next four years had their fair share of conflict- stop fighting with your brother and please don't torment your sister, no you can't have peanut butter and honey every single day, did you REALLY throw your pile of folded laundry behind your bunk bed again?!?, why does this room look like it exploded legos?! - but when my Benny Boo snuggled me on the couch with his pooh bear and read Harry Potter to me (at 5!), I absolutely melted. When he came running in to show me how a whole bottle of hair gel looked on his head and my first inclination was to get mad, he instead made me laugh hysterically by asking, "Ducky, don't I look sharp?" I knew in those moments that I would never be able to tell my first son that he was the first little boy who captured my heart, but for Ben? I was okay with that.
Oh, this is so true. I find it even harder when you know you are there for a limited time. I was a summer nanny the last two years and it is just so hard to not fall for the kids. Knowing when it is all going to end is so hard.
I also have the habit of keeping photos of the kids I've nannied.
Being a nanny is hard, but so worth it.
I didn't know that kids stood up at 2 months.
I have something to ask that sort of relates to this. I left my first and only nannying job a few months ago. It was on very good terms. I love the parents, the boys were amazing. I couldn't have asked for better people to work with. They made me feel like a part of their family. Their oldest was just over a year when I started, and the baby was born about a year after I started. I was there for about three years. I miss them so much. I actually feel heartbroken. I still talk to the parents from time to time, and I have seen the boys since leaving. But, the thing is, when I see them, it only makes me miss them even more. Because, I see how they've grown and all of the new things they've learned. My question is, what things do you recommend I do to help me move on?
Missing My Boys..you sound like such a kind-hearted and loving nanny and as a fellow nanny, I agree 100% that it is tough to say good-bye. I would just tell myself that this is a job and that eventually it will end and both sides need to move on. I encourage you to continue with the visits, but instead of being sad as you remember all the good times spent together, remember that your job is done and it is a natural progression..one that all must go through. Focus on how much you taught these children and be happy that you had the opportunity to play such a special and important part in their lives. You no doubt made a mark somewhere in their lives and they are much better because of it. For example, recently I taught my charge how to say his name when asked..and I feel proud that I had the great honor or doing so.
The only way to get over it completely is to have your own children.
Phoenix,
He couldn't stand on his own, but he had very strong legs for a 2 month old and he liked to "stand" in your lap and bounce up and down. It was incredible! haha, I call him Super Baby sometimes.
Missing My Boys,
I agree with what Just My Two Cents said. It is hard saying goodbye and making the transition to a new family or a different job all together. I keep up with my previous families through blogs and facebook and occasional visits, but know the feeling of sadness after seeing them more grown up. For me it has gotten easier with time, and I just try to stay focused on all the great memories we made and hope for the best as they get older.
This hit home, I miss my old charges like crazy, even though I still get to babysit for them regularly. I keep their pictures in frames at my apartment, and I now work with a young baby in the same neighborhood and drive right past their street every day to get there. I LOVE the new baby, but it still tugs are my heart strings to go to the same parks, libraries, etc. and not have my little peanut there with me. I feel like it's nearly impossible not to get super attached to the children regularly in your care...or maybe I've just gotten really lucky and have only really worked with loving, adorable sweet children who I can't help but love. Either way...it's hard but it's great too.
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