How I found my Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins set a rather high benchmark when it comes to nannying, but what’s it like to have a real-life nanny? Is it truly like being one of the Banks family?
Well, I did grow up with a nanny. When I was born, my parents had only recently started their own business and had to work full time. Grandparents and family friends, who ideally would have helped look after me, didn’t live locally. Childcare was most definitely an issue.
Of course, when I was a baby my mother could work at home, but when I started school, one that was a 25-minute drive from our house, she couldn’t always find the time to pick me up. I won’t lie – during the school breaks I’d feel rather envious of my friends whose mothers stayed at home, and at times I most likely made my parents feel a little guilty for it.
Now, however, I completely understand their decision. Ultimately, it’s about making the right call for your family in the long-term.
Over the years, I had two nannies. Michelle was my favourite and to this day I still receive birthday and Christmas cards from her. She was fabulous, like a big sister to me. She’d plait my hair, play endless games of hide-and-seek, and take me to see friends. All in all, I truly enjoyed myself and have very fond memories of her. I never look back on those days and resent her being there.
Perhaps crucially for a nanny, she maintained the perfect balance between being fun and being strict. She understood that children need boundaries, but must also be rewarded for being good. Yet if I’d been particularly naughty (and I was very mischievous) Michelle would ban me from watching Neighbours – surprisingly devastating for a girl of my age.
I was very sad to see her go, despite our attempts to convince her otherwise, when she and her husband decided to start a family of their own.
Of course, not every nanny is as wonderful as Michelle. My other nanny – let’s call her Anne – had her plus sides, but you could tell that nannying for her was a job, not a vocation. As any good nanny will know, children can often read people better than adults. It’s hard to hide what you’re really thinking.
Anne split most of her time between calling her friends and listing everything she had done that day: mileage to be claimed, overtime to be charged… Needless to say, Anne and our family parted company before too long.
As a child, it was certainly important that I was involved in the process of selecting my nannies. My thoughts were considered – and that’s a good feeling for a child. If I liked and got on with them, then that was paramount. I was, after all, the one who would be spending the most time with them.
I would always recommend that you do the same when introducing your child to someone new in their lives. It instils in them a sense of responsibility.
Although I would have loved a stay-at-home mother when I was a child, I am pleased that I had a nanny. Without one, my parents would have struggled to provide me with the lifestyle that I had and ultimately it meant I enjoyed the best of both worlds. I consider myself lucky to have had a wonderful, loving childhood. Modern life often requires both parents to work and childcare isn’t always a luxury, but a necessity.
Choosing the right nanny for your family is what’s vital. Involve your children, enlist the help of professionals – and you could have your very own Mary Poppins, just like I did.
Well, I did grow up with a nanny. When I was born, my parents had only recently started their own business and had to work full time. Grandparents and family friends, who ideally would have helped look after me, didn’t live locally. Childcare was most definitely an issue.
Of course, when I was a baby my mother could work at home, but when I started school, one that was a 25-minute drive from our house, she couldn’t always find the time to pick me up. I won’t lie – during the school breaks I’d feel rather envious of my friends whose mothers stayed at home, and at times I most likely made my parents feel a little guilty for it.
Now, however, I completely understand their decision. Ultimately, it’s about making the right call for your family in the long-term.
Over the years, I had two nannies. Michelle was my favourite and to this day I still receive birthday and Christmas cards from her. She was fabulous, like a big sister to me. She’d plait my hair, play endless games of hide-and-seek, and take me to see friends. All in all, I truly enjoyed myself and have very fond memories of her. I never look back on those days and resent her being there.
Perhaps crucially for a nanny, she maintained the perfect balance between being fun and being strict. She understood that children need boundaries, but must also be rewarded for being good. Yet if I’d been particularly naughty (and I was very mischievous) Michelle would ban me from watching Neighbours – surprisingly devastating for a girl of my age.
I was very sad to see her go, despite our attempts to convince her otherwise, when she and her husband decided to start a family of their own.
Of course, not every nanny is as wonderful as Michelle. My other nanny – let’s call her Anne – had her plus sides, but you could tell that nannying for her was a job, not a vocation. As any good nanny will know, children can often read people better than adults. It’s hard to hide what you’re really thinking.
Anne split most of her time between calling her friends and listing everything she had done that day: mileage to be claimed, overtime to be charged… Needless to say, Anne and our family parted company before too long.
As a child, it was certainly important that I was involved in the process of selecting my nannies. My thoughts were considered – and that’s a good feeling for a child. If I liked and got on with them, then that was paramount. I was, after all, the one who would be spending the most time with them.
I would always recommend that you do the same when introducing your child to someone new in their lives. It instils in them a sense of responsibility.
Although I would have loved a stay-at-home mother when I was a child, I am pleased that I had a nanny. Without one, my parents would have struggled to provide me with the lifestyle that I had and ultimately it meant I enjoyed the best of both worlds. I consider myself lucky to have had a wonderful, loving childhood. Modern life often requires both parents to work and childcare isn’t always a luxury, but a necessity.
Choosing the right nanny for your family is what’s vital. Involve your children, enlist the help of professionals – and you could have your very own Mary Poppins, just like I did.