Hat #1: Disciplinarian
Growing up, I remember watching the show Supernanny in which nanny Jo Frost helps families with struggling children find peace through discipline and behaviorism. I loved how she found fun, seemingly simple ways to help parents promote good behavior in their homes. It's something I wanted to try my hand at. In my four years as a manny, I have researched and developed multiple different behavioral charts and activities to help the kids I work with. Some kids did really well with the ideas I came up with. There are others that I'm still trying to figure out. The brainstorming and creativity is almost therapeutic for me.
Hat #2: Taxi Driver
This one is pretty self explanatory. I have driven kids to and from school, sports, parties, work, appointments, and shopping trips. I have mastered the art of packing up trunks and backseats while still saving room for the 'passengers'. And some of the best, most meaningful conversations have happened while in the car.
Hat #3: Tutor
Something I've been doing a lot of, especially since the pandemic started, is tutoring. I had to quickly learn how to use the many various online learning formats the different school districts use. Keeping the kids focused is the biggest part of the job. I help out when needed. I don't give answers, though. If a child asks me a question, I ask follow up questions so they can come to the answer themselves.
Hat #4: Chef
I have always loved to cook, and nothing is more fun than cooking with kids. One of my families really enjoys smoothies, so we have come up with some delicious smoothies (banana-coconut is amazing!). I encourage the kids to help with lunch or dinner. Cooking is an important thing to learn. It's also very satisfying eating something you helped make.
Hat #5: Maid
I have been blessed with families who don't need a maid. That doesn't stop me from doing minor chores such as the dishes or folding laundry. One of my favorite memories is folding laundry with one of my families while watching Jim Carrey in The Mask. Chores should be fun! I've tied rags to kids' feet and had them
'skate' across the hardwood floor in soapy water. They loved that! I also try to make cleaning up toys fun. I've had cleaning races to see who can pick up the most toys. I've played toy basketball where I hold a basket or bin and have the kids toss the toys to me. The room gets cleaner and (usually) everyone is smiling.
Hat #6: Therapist
I have worked with many different families, as I mentioned. With all the kids I've worked with, there were sure to be troubled kids. I worked with a lot of kids with anger issues, which is no walk in the park, let me tell you. But these kids do seem to be the most willing to talk and express their feelings. They also seem to have the biggest hearts. I try my best to understand what they are feeling and help them through their confusing and difficult emotions. Most of the time, they just need someone to listen to them.
Hat #7: Nurse
While working with young children, it is inevitable that someone is eventually going to get hurt or sick. I have cleaned and bandaged minor wounds. I have checked for concussions. I have taken temperatures. And I have simply kept sick kids company. I've also taught myself some reflexology to help with headaches, stuffy/runny noses, and coughs. This is probably my least glamorous hat, as it has been vomited on, peed on, and bled on. But a good scrubbing always removes the stains.
Hat #8: Friend
I'm sure your mom or dad at least once told you, "I'm your parent, not your best friend". That doesn't apply to me. I can be strict. I can use fair discipline. But the first thing I do is try to be friends with the kids I'm working with. It can be a difficult balance, sometimes, but it's totally worth it. I haven't gotten along with every child I worked with, but I did my best to show them the love they deserved.
I look forward to finishing up my college career while working with my families and perhaps adding more families into the mix. I'm definitely interested to see what other hats I might put on under my manny umbrella. There's always room for more.
