Bye Bye Nanny!

I've been a nanny, for several different families for a while now. It's mostly been great-but it's definitely time to move on (though I must admit, it will be a little sad to finally say goodbye). I'm excited for the future and looking forward to really wanting kids again. Until then, I will file away some of what I have learned as a nanny and will hopefully one day apply it as a mommy.

I have learned...

• Every parent thinks their kid is the best/cutest/brightest. That's ridiculous. Mine really will be though. Seriously.
• Kids are sponges, if Daddy says things like Dick-Mite, child will repeat.
• Pithy comments to toddlers are not understood, somehow that's okay, because it makes me feel better.
• My vocabulary changed immensely when kids were my world, NO, GROSS and POOP as well as AWWW, SWEET and CUTE became the new "it" phrases.
• I will spank. I will sooooo spank. This whole time-out and "I mean it" thing don't really work. Thankfully, Proverbs has got my back on this one.
• Video monitors are AMAZING! I WILL have one!
• Poop. I didn't realize how important poop becomes and how often you have to talk about it!
• Children know when their parents think they are a bother or don't have time for them. They may express it (i.e. act out) in different ways, but they know it. I never want my kids to feel that way.
• Kids are hilarious, I want to write down all the funny stuff my kids do and say.
• Kids in America have WAAAAYYYY too many toys! I plan to donate/put toys away for later regularly.
• Potty training is not fun...for anyone.
• Sleep training on the other hand, I've got that!
• People don't use car seats properly. I didn't realize how many people fit in that category 'til I was a nanny. Strap those seats and those kids in TIGHT!!
• Children don't need schedules as much as they need routine. When I first became a nanny I was a super-scheduler (like, we had a 5 minute window). No longer! Routine is better for everyone.
• I don't know what it is, but if there's a gross bodily fluid that could make it onto me or my clothing, it happens...at least when they're mine, I can change.
• Cool mist humidifiers are my friend.
• Sand brings a level of anxiety I didn't realize. It gets everywhere! Also, I'm always afraid when kids pick up a clump of sand and pinch it, that the sand will come off and reveal something nasty. Maybe I won't let my kids play in public sand areas.
• I will have an awesome stroller...bye-bye ghetto rider!
• Watching a sweet baby, in footie pajamas sleep, undoes all their rotten of the day...that's why kids go to bed before the parents.
• I am in control of how picky a kid is about food.
• Authority doesn't equal big, mean and loud. I'm glad my hubby already knows that and that our kids won't have to endure that.
• Kids need to see their parents be in love, it changes a lot of things. I'm glad I grew up that way, I'm sad a lot of kids don't.
• Bath time is wonderful, so so wonderful.
• Using words other than "no" so a kid doesn't say "no" all the time doesn't work. They still somehow pick that up!
• Raising kids is HARD! It's worth it, but HARD! I hope I have great and supportive mommy friends when it's my turn.
• Kids grow up so fast....I really want to treasure every moment when they are my own. It just goes by so fast.
• That poop thing, again.

I wonder what else I will learn in the next two weeks...