Thank you for celebrating our birthday with us. The wonderful comments, the feedback and the support will motivate us through another year and we can’t wait to get started. We promised you a big announcement and here it is.

You may have noticed that there is a fourth bird in our new logo that we didn’t mention on Monday.  As each bird represents a Regarding Nannies team member, we are excited to share a secret with you – and its been a hard secret to keep … Greta Schraer of CincyNanny is now an official member of our Regarding Nannies Development Team. We never anticipated that we would take on a new team member but we all agreed that Greta was a perfect choice to join our Regarding Nannies Team.

We wanted to share a few words about why we wanted Greta to join our development team :

From Glenda:

I only met Greta briefly at the INA Conference in Dallas in 2009 but I knew that she was someone who had the potential to be a driving force in the nanny profession. She has determination, a strong sense of who she is, and a genuine passion for what she does. Greta also came home, and started a blog, I started reading what she wrote, and her words genuinely moved me. Greta wrote this as her mission statement on her blog.

I am a professional.
I am part of a family team.
I am one of many that will build into the lives of these beautiful, talented children.
I need a community.
I need respect.
I make mistakes.
I love children.
I want to grow in knowledge.
I want to grow as a person.
My gifts are unique and therefore I make my job unique.
I am faithful.
I am affectionate.
I am a leader.
I serve a True God who gives me forgiveness and guidance.
I have a passion to gather Nannies together to share experiences, gather resources, to challenge each other, and of course, play together.
I have found my calling.
I am a Nanny.

I see in Greta the next generation that will make a difference in the nanny profession. She is young, energetic, exuberant, has wonderful ideas, a gentle loving spirit and a wonderful sense of humor. She is an ever present reminder of why we do what we do, and she is an inspiration to me.

Welcome Greta, I am so glad you are on this team!

From Alice…

I met Greta last year at the INA conference in Dallas. I had this feeling about her all weekend , that I wanted to get to know her better.  I was running around as “Raffle Lady” to everyone and didn’t have a good opportunity to chat with Greta.  At some point I remember talking with Glenda about how this “nanny” Greta went to the board meeting, was excited about everything she was learning and how she wants to bring this information back to Cincinnati to the nannies that were there .  Fast forward to Sunday morning in the hotel lobby as I went to sit with some of the board members, Greta was sitting on the couch on her mac laptop and starting her “CincyNanny” blog.  She didn’t waste a minute of what she learned that weekend.  Later that year she came to Washington DC for Nannypalooza with the same enthusiasm as she had at the INA Conference.  Greta came back to the INA conference with 3 of her CincyNanny members as well as hosting a Nannies Across America event this fall.   She  totally jumped on the train of “being a professional nanny” and learning anything and everything from all avenues in the industry. We have become friends over the past year, fellow board members on the INA Board of Directors and now fellow members of Regarding Nannies. I am so excited to be working with her on Regarding Nannies!

From Kellie:

Welcome Greta.  I, like Glenda and Alice, met Greta at the INA Conference and she has proven to me to be a leader, a professional, a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration.  I am in awe of all she has accomplished in such a short time and cannot wait for her to share all that energy, enthusiasm and knowledge with Regarding Nannies and our readers.  I’m honored to be in a profession with all the ladies of Regarding Nannies.

From Greta…

It is so great that the cat is finally out of the bag, or… the bird is out of the cage!

As the ladies said, it was at the 2009 INA Conference that I briefly met Kellie, Alice and Glenda. I remember meeting Kellie at the roundtable for Nanny support groups. I was anxious to hear about this ADCAN thing. Having nothing in Cincinnati, before conference I thought I came up with the genius idea of a community bringing nannies together. Come to find out, there were many support groups all over the country! I quickly wrote notes and asked questions. 3 months later, the CincyNanny community was born.

Sunday morning, Alice and Glenda sat eating breakfast, and stopped me as I walked by. I remember telling them I was embarrassed to be be the only observer in the INA Board Meeting that day. They encouraged me, saying it was great that I cared and went to check it out. Looking back, I wonder if at their breakfast a spark of conversation and dreams of Regarding Nannies began? (And to think that I would be joining those strangers a little over a year later.)

That same day, I sat in the hotel lobby waiting for the shuttle, navigating the Blogger templates and writing my first post: a brief recap of conference. Later that summer, I wrote the post Glenda spoke off. For the first time, I spoke of my career in a public avenue, sharing my passions and purpose. I remember hitting “publish” wondering if anyone would happen to read it. Within hours, Glenda (representing Regarding Nannies) emailed me and asked to post it on their blog. What? Someone read it? Someone liked it? That day, I felt encouraged that my voice may make an impact locally and beyond. Largely due to this, I continued to write.

Over the last 14 months, these ladies – individually and as a team – have mentored and groomed me, daily, as I read the words they wrote. They encouraged me in so many ways and have each contributed to some amazing memories and professional accomplishments with me this year. As I look out among the industry as a whole, I can see the fingerprints and whispers these Nannies have left with so many! Their passion is contagious. Their love for the industry is genuine. The only gain they seek is to better the world and children in it.

As the 4th bird, the Hummingbird,  I hope that I can also share with the industry. Have you ever observed the little Hummingbirds as they eat? At work we have feeders in the backyard and often I drift into amazement as I look out the window. They are busy, excited, little bodies with a super-focused, still head and beak. I look forward to writing about things that excite me in this career with children. I am always looking for ways to improve myself, be more productive and be excellent. I know that I have a lot to learn, but I’d love for you to look out your window and see my excitement and passion.

And I will warn you…you may get sick of my gushy heart towards the 3 year old triplet boys in my care. But, they are the best! (Truth is my actual favorite boy is my gorgeous husband, Doug.)

Each week on the CincyNanny Blog, I share a High5. This week I would like to share with you why this “birdie” is honored and humbled to join this team. They are truly amazing leaders, women, friends and Nannies. I see deep roots continuing to stretch deeper into a fertile soil. I only hope to grow with them in this new journey. Here are my High5 favorite ways I see their roots growing deeper.

High5: Deep Roots of the Regarding Nannies

5. Sharing Resources

I love their desire to share resources with so many! I see it as my daily, continuing education. They each dive into new subjects, methods and ideas, hoping to affect a Nannies daily life. So many of us are appreciative. So many of us are changed.

4. Connecting Nannies

Regarding Nannies has brought together Nannies across affiliations and across the world. They support without preference each individual and each organization that brings good to the Nanny world. They invite Nannies, young and old, experienced or new, educated or not, to the common ground of community. They invite industry professionals to share their specialty that we may glean knowledge from the best. What a value we have to gather, befriend, and share.

3. Giving Generously

Over the last year, I have seen these girls give expecting nothing in return. It wasn’t until a few months ago, when I began working along side them behind the scenes that I was able to appreciate the gift of time, the fullness of heart, and finances that they have been sharing. Each is not living this leadership role to draw attention to themselves. They only hope to make a difference and that is their reward.

2. Mentoring to the Masses

These ladies are continually learning, changing, and growing. They seek to be their very best unique self. They take us with them on that path of growth, challenging us to succeed and with encouragement and understanding. If not challenged, I personally lose zeal and drive. I appreciate that there are people that want to give that to Nannies as individuals and the industry as a whole.

1. Enriching the Lives of Children

Ultimately we are Nannies because our heart is tugged towards the young. By educating, providing tools, sharing a welcoming community…our lives are refreshed and bettered. In return, the precious, innocent darlings that we get to help shape – are being blessed. Is there any greater purpose than sharing love with children? I think not.

Happy 1st Birthday Regarding Nannies! What an amazing beginning with only the best days ahead.

Today’s Giveaway Winner

Thank you to all the wonderful thank yous and Birthday wishes from everyone this week! Our last winner was from the 23 notes that were emailed in. Random.org chose one winner to receive their choice of 2 ~ Regarding Nannies mug, tote bag, or notebook.

Congratulations to #7 –  Carolyn Stulberg of the Alexandria School

Please contact us at regardingnannies (at) gmail (dot) com with your choices!

Here are our final birthday notes from Regarding Nannies readers and friends:

Dear Glenda, Kellie, and Alice – Happy Birthday and thank you so much for creating a portal where nannies can get different information for their professional and personal lives.  I really enjoy all the various blog posts and have spent a lot of time archive hunting for past posts.

Buffi Gentry

Nanny

Happy Birthday/Anniversary Regarding Nannies! You guys have done a great job for a successful 1st year! Looking forward to many more!

Lottie S.

Nanny in Addison,TX

Happy Birthday Regarding Nannies. May you have many more. Thank you for all the great ideas and info.

Stacie

Nanny in Albuquerque, NM

Regarding Nannies has consistently brought excellent support, articles, ideas and inspiration to Nannies and agencies alike.  We, as an agency have been so moved by the support of RN in the past year and we’d like like to say Thank you and Happy Birthday!

Pattie Mueller

NannyMall, LLC

Missouri

Kellie, Alice and Glenda – A big (and long overdue) thank you to 3 amazing nannies for your tireless contributions to the nanny industry, and for your personal commitment as role models and mentors to all of us! Thank you, thank you!

Christy Ochs

Nanny in Denver, CO