I Guess They Really Do Listen

The other day I realized I've been a nanny for almost nine years.

It happened while I was working on something for Little Wrangler Nannies and trying to convince myself that I actually know what I'm doing. I needed the reality check because I definitely do know what I'm doing. You can't be a nanny for that long and be clueless. (The kids would eat you alive if you were.)

But it sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole reflecting on my years as a nanny.

For the most part, I still see almost all of the kids I've nannied for in one way or another. Whether it's a Facebook post from their parents, me reaching out when a memory pops up on my phone, or making time to go spend a few days with them.

These children I've cared for never really stop being a part of my life.

I grow to care about and love them so much. To me, that doesn't just go away once I stop watching them.

Maybe some of them don't really remember me, and that's okay if they don't.

What I hope they remember, though, are the little things I've taught them along the way.

I always told them that when something bad happens, you can either sit there and let it ruin your day and pout, or you can laugh about it, learn from it, and move on.

One of my favorite things about being a nanny, though, is seeing something you taught them actually being used. You kind of stop for a second and think,

"Wow... I helped teach them that."

And then one day, I was the one having the bad day.

---

Let me set the scene.

I was having a horrible day.

Honestly... a horrible month.

I was trying my best not to let the kids see it.

But let's be real...

They knew.

When you're spending that much time with the same kids, they start to know you just as well as you know them. They can tell when you're not 100% yourself just as easily as you can tell when they're up to no good.

It was just one of those grey days.

I remember picking them up from school, and the little girl asked me how my day was.

I don't know why I answered honestly.

Usually I would've smiled and said,

"It was good."

But that day I didn't have it in me, so I told her the truth and said it wasn't the best of days.

I think I actually said it sucked, which was basically a bad word to them.

So they knew I meant business.

As soon as I said that, she simply said,

"I bet we can change that before the end of the day."

I told her I wasn't so sure it would be that easy.

But if you knew her, that response wouldn't surprise you one bit.

She is the most stubborn, strong willed, emotional kid you'll ever meet. She would make me want to pull my hair out some days.

(Helping raise a strong independent girl isn't for the faint of heart.)

But she is also the kid with the biggest heart.

She's the one who makes sure everyone feels included, who will cry with you before she even knows why you're crying. She'd be the first to offer a kind word or words of encouragement when you need them most.

She's just the kind of kid who will try to make your day better if she can.

And apparently, that day was no exception.

---

For whatever reason, we had a rare free afternoon.

Usually we were always on the go, but that day we were just at the house.

Honestly, I was hoping the kids would entertain themselves so I could wallow in peace.

But they convinced me to play with them.

I honestly don't even remember what we ended up doing.

But I remember the feeling.

The joy.

The laughter.

The feeling of being carefree.

I remember they were still making me laugh as I was walking out the front door that evening.

I was almost to my truck when she came tearing out of the front door.

"I told you you'd have a better day!" she yelled.

That's when I realized she was right.

I did have a better day.

---

Out of all the years I've been a nanny, this memory has always stood out to me the most.

Maybe because it truly was such a grey time in my life, and that afternoon was such a spark of color in it.

Whenever I'm having one of those grey days, I find myself thinking back to that afternoon.

I can still hear her yelling from the front porch,

"I told you you'd have a better day!"

And honestly...

She's usually right.

(Don't tell her that though.)

Maybe it wasn't such a bad day after all.

Until next time, Kristin 🩷