Adventures in Babysitting

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Nearly three years ago I made a decision to quit my job as an administrative assistant for a financial adviser and become a nanny to my newborn granddaughter, Lily. It was a giant leap of faith, one I was quite unprepared for as it turns out. But I’ve learned a lot. I learned that the hours are long and the pay is short. I’ve learned that it’s a wild ride, exhausting, loving, frustrating and beautiful. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned? Break out the poncho. I will, with absolute certainty, get wet on this ride.

Many of my friends tell me I have a cushy job. I think they envision me sitting at the kitchen table, coloring and laughing merrily with Lily as her smiling face shines up at me. I, however, can assure you that being a nanny to a toddler at the age of 58 is not for the faint of heart. I can also assure you that a lot has changed in the almost 40 years since I began raising my children.

My day usually begins as I get Lily’s brother and sister ready for school and out to the bus stop in the morning. Did you brush your teeth? Could you please run a comb through that hair? Who’s lunch is still on the table? Do you need to take this book to school? Yes, we CAN have pancakes for breakfast. It also involves getting Lily dressed and her backpack loaded so she can accompany her siblings to the bus stop to pretend that she is going to school as well.

My day then continues, filled with gymnastics, story time at the local library, music, doctors appointments, ski/swim lessons (depending on the season), park time or whatever the theme is for that particular day. And to make sure to leave enough time for Lily to squeeze in a nap so that she’s not a train wreck for the evening.

I am back to the house in time to see Lily’s brother and sister off the bus and get their homework done. (And, no, you can’t have candy for a snack. Just like EVERY OTHER DAY, you may have a piece of fruit.) If they have activities in the afternoon or evening, I will also feed them an early supper or pack some sandwiches to go.

But wait...did I mention that I have 6 other grandchildren? Two are in their late teens so they certainly don’t need any help from Grandma but I will often help out with the other 4 during the summer, vacation weeks and no school days. I plan activities to amuse and entertain up to 7 children between the ages of 2 and 12. If you don’t think that’s a trick, I challenge you to try it.

We are fortunate to live in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This provides many outdoor activities that are close by such as swimming and skiing. We also have enough “civilization” to provide other amenities such as mini golf, a movie theater, children’s museum, and the like.

Some days are good. The circus, for example. They loved the circus. They like “Make Your Own Pizza” days, running through the sprinkler and jumping on the trampoline. Or playing Frisbee in the park.

Some days are not so good. The WWII museum was not a hit. While they did behave and didn’t complain (too much), I felt obligated to spend the rest of the day at the playground and ice cream parlor to make it up to them.

Some days I feel more like a prison guard than a grandma. You’re too far away! Get back over here! Did you really just bite your brother? No hitting! Give that toy back to (child-you-don’t-know)! Is this how you treat your cousin? Why is your sister crying?

This is not every day, of course, but Lily has kept me busy for these long-but-so-incredibly-short three years. The older she gets, the less she needs me in the physical sense. She no longer needs me to help with eating, getting around or going potty. She even dresses herself, although some of her outfit choices are suspect. In less than two months she will turn three and begin preschool two mornings a week. The next school year it will be three days a week and soon enough, full time school. I’m being phased out.

I began to think about what I would do next. I’ve become quite adjusted to having the freedom to run my own show, to plan my days in accordance to my own (as well as Lily’s) wants and needs. (Lily: “Can we go out to lunch today, Grandma?”) So a traditional job was not appealing to me. I began to research work-at-home jobs that pay by the hour or in piecework. This seemed better because I could choose my own hours but it still didn’t feel exactly right as I would be locked into a particular time schedule. Then I came across affiliate marketing and Wealthy Affiliate. A light just came on and I knew in my heart that I had found my new project, my most current leap of faith.

Why, you may ask? Because I feel like this is something I can do and do well. I am willing to put in the work to make it successful while taking the time to learn from those who have more experience. I live alone (when I’m not with Lily!) so I can work without distractions. I have the ability to work without guidance and to focus intently on what I’m doing. I feel like this “just clicks” with me.

While most of my online work is done on my “own time”, I will often try to squeeze in some computer time in between my nanny activities. Naptime usually works best but sometimes I’ll work while she is engaged in free play. This inevitably ends with Lily insisting I close my computer and come play with her.

Typically, she will just give me a call. She picks up her phone (actually, I thought it was the scanner on her cash register but, hey, we all can be wrong sometimes). “Ring ring!” she shouts across the room. “RING RING!!” This will continue until I pick up my phone to answer her call. Sometimes we just have a pleasant conversation but other times she will insist I call The Police Officers to ask them to come over. To arrest my computer, I assume. If the laptop interrupts free play, is that a crime? I guess The Police Officers will let us know. At the very least, I’m pretty sure the Lily and my laptop are not on speaking terms.

But here’s to the future. Here’s to learning new things and taking on new projects. Am I prepared? Maybe not. But I’m ready and I’m willing. Let’s get this party started!


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Recent Comments

2

I enjoyed your post. You are a great writer. You will do wonderful here. All the best to you.

Great post. Enjoy the party!
Joe

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Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
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