Crafting a Career You Love: Nanny Edition

Welcome to our first blog series, Crafting a Career You Love: Nanny Edition! Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this series is all about creating a job you truly enjoy. We’ll talk about everything from building strong relationships with families to expanding your skills and making sure you’re getting what you deserve. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where the work feels meaningful and you’re able to support yourself while doing what you love.

Part 1: Laying the Foundation of a Career You Love

When I first started nannying, I never imagined it would become such a big part of my life. What began as a part-time gig in college has grown into a fulfilling career that has not only provided me with financial stability but also brought me a sense of purpose and connection. Over the years, I’ve realized that being a nanny is more than just a job, it’s a rewarding career that allows you to make a real difference in the lives of children and families, while also supporting yourself and your goals. In this series, I want to share how you can create a career you love, where you feel fulfilled, valued, and well-supported in every way.

Finding Your Passion in This Work: What makes nannying a career I truly love is the opportunity to connect with children and families on a personal level. Unlike many other jobs, nannying allows you to be part of the day-to-day lives of families, which means you get to make a real, lasting impact. Whether I'm helping a toddler learn to express themselves or offering support to a parent navigating their new role, there’s always a sense of fulfillment in knowing my presence matters. Sometimes people go into nannying because they love kids. But here's the thing- almost everybody loves kids. They're adorable and hilarious and love to snuggle. To be successful in this industry, you need to have passion beyond loving kids.

If you're just starting out or considering nannying as a long-term career, I encourage you to think about why you're drawn to this profession. Are you a fierce advocate for neurodivergent kids? Do you love the satisfaction of building strong relationships with families? Whatever it is that excites you about nannying, let that passion fuel your foundation.

The Importance of Relationships in Nannying: At the core of any rewarding nanny career is the ability to build meaningful relationships. The bonds you create with the children you care for and the families you work with is what will keep you motivated and feeling fulfilled in your role. Trust, communication, and consistency are essential in these relationships. Early on in my career, I quickly realized that having open lines of communication with families and being proactive about setting clear boundaries made all the difference. Those can definitely be difficult conversations (more on that in another post!), but once you have mutual respect with your employers, firm boundaries, and a strong voice to advocate for yourself, the job becomes not just easier, but also more enjoyable.

Yes, there will be times where you will butt heads with your bosses or feel under appreciated- that happens in every industry. But if you've built a strong relationship foundation with your employers, those tough days are just that- tough days. Both of you know it doesn't signal the end and that with a little cooling off period and a conversation, you'll move forward together. You're on the same team!

Building Experience and Diversifying Your Skill Set: As a nanny, one of the best ways to ensure that you stay excited about your work is by continuously growing and evolving. Nannying isn’t a one-size-fits-all profession—there are so many paths you can take, from newborn care to family assistance to working with children with special needs.

I’ve found that taking on different roles within nannying not only keeps things fresh but also expands my skill set. Whether it’s attending profession development opportunities, pursuing additional certifications, or becoming more involved in household duties, each new skill brings a sense of accomplishment and adds to the career I’m building. I also take opportunities to work with different age groups when I can. Filling in for other nannies or babysitting, if your schedule allows, is a great way to keep your age group experience up to date. That absolutely saved me after I left my 13 year position. If I hadn't taken care of an infant in over a decade, it would have been much harder to find a new position!

Embracing the Challenges: Like any career, nannying comes with its own set of challenges. Sick kids, toddler life, having your office double as someone's home, or just dealing with the emotional weight of caregiving, there will be moments when you feel stretched thin.

These challenges are part of what makes nannying such a unique and rewarding career. I know it doesn't feel rewarding when you're on day 3 of no naps or your bosses have left a sink full of dishes again. Each difficult situation you face, whether with your nanny kid or their parents, is preparing your for the future. After all these years of nannying, I know how to swiftly and politely remedy the "morning sink situation", and I'm able to go totally zen when someone is freaking out at the DMV when they've been waiting for too long because I've handled enough tantrums to tune it out.

The key is to stay grounded in your purpose. You do this work because you're passionate about it. And when things get tough, remember to lean on your community, set boundaries, and take care of yourself. Sometimes that looks like having the hard conversation with your boss and sometimes it looks like bed rotting all weekend or venting to a friend. With the right support, you can navigate even the most challenging days with confidence.

Nannying is a career that offers so much more than a paycheck. It’s a career that lets you connect with children and families in meaningful ways, pursue your passion, and grow both professionally and personally. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been in the field for years, know that it’s entirely possible to create a career you love!

Why did you choose nannying? What do you love most about this career? Take a moment to a comment below. I’d love to hear how nannying has shaped your career and life!