Why
am I a nanny?
It’s
all about the garbage trucks really. And the fire engines, diggers and cement
mixers. And the bugs, spiders and shadows. The pigeons, seagulls and puppy
dogs.
When
I worked in an inner city child care centre and had a child in my care who
loved the garbage trucks, I could search for pictures of garbage trucks or look
for books about garbage trucks. Last Thursday, as a nanny, I sat on the front
doorstep and put socks, shoes, jacket
and hat on Nicholas while he was mesmerised by the garbage truck.
When
I worked in child care, I could organise an excursion to a fire station. Plan
the day, complete the risk assessment and send home permission notes. As a
nanny, I could take Ben around the corner to our local fire station (every day)
and look in the windows, until one of our many firefighter friends would open
the door.
I
love the freedom! The freedom to chase their interests. The freedom to stand as
long as we want and watch the spider or chase our shadows. The freedom to plan
our day, change our minds, stop the pram or jump in the car.
Even
better than this freedom though is the relationship I have with my nanny kids.
I can follow their interests because I know them so well. I know, even before
they can talk, which song they are requesting when they point to the harbour
bridge. I know that even if this spider doesn’t move, we need to stand and
watch him for five minutes as it will be the highlight of their day.
Why
am I a nanny? Nannying gives me the time to know my children and the freedom to
show them I love them.
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