Meet Nanny Cindy

We are excited to share a new series of posts!  This is something we do over on the CincyNanny Blog to introduce and connect our local nannies and I hope to do the same with our Regarding Nannies readers on a large level. I have found attending national conferences that I have so much in common with this group of professionals. There is an instant appreciation, respect and understanding that nannies have with each other. That being said, we are all so unique and extraordinary in different ways. I know that the stories and experiences shared in the “Meet Nanny” series will inspire. Let’s meet our first…

Meet Nanny Cindy!

Currently working as a full-time nanny in Denver, CO she is a nanny all-star! At the 2010 INA Conference she was the only nanny to receive a service award pin in recognition of 30 years of service! She is an incredibly experienced  and creative nanny. She carries herself with grace and has a passion to share music with children!

1. What is your daily nanny life like?

I am a full-time, live-out nanny caring for two young girls ages 3yrs and 4 months. My morning is spent entertaining my youngest charge while her sister attends preschool. The baby loves fingerplays, bouncing games, playing with her colored rings, and any time we spend outdoors. Following lunchtime with my older charge, we enjoy storytime before her daily nap. She often prefers listening to stories I have custom-made for her about her own life, family, and friends,especially if they contain any adventures of my two dogs Jasmine and Grace (whom my older charge adores!) Post naptime hours include art projects, bubble time, andplaying with the water table or inflated swimming pool. Both girls LOVE music! My oldest charge can often be seen dancing in her tutu or heard singing songs from a Disney soundtrack. And her sister is sure to follow!

2. What are 3 unique characteristics that you strive to live for children in your care?
First, I believe that by treating my employers, charges, and others we encounter with respect, my charges will learn to respect others as well. Secondly, I am truly passionate about the things important to me such as participating in the arts or spending time with nature. This is a quality I also hope to instill in my charges. Finally, I am enthusiastic about life and look at each day as a new adventure. Hopefully, my charges will find great excitement in their everyday adventures as they grow into the adults they will one day become.

3. What is the most rewarding thing about your career as a nanny?
As a young nanny, I often wondered what would become of these dear children whom I cared for. Would they grow to be happy? Would they find fulfillment in their lives? Would they follow their dreams? It brings me such satisfaction and great joy to see what wonderful accomplishments these children, some who are now in their 30’s, have experienced. They have indeed followed their dreams and have created lives in which their efforts will have a great impact on others. Some have gone into education, some work with non-profits, and yet another is pursuing a career as a film-maker. I look forward to the day that my youngest charges reach adulthood and I can see what great things are in store for them in their lives as well!

4. What is something you wish  you had know your first day as a nanny?
My greatest challenge in my first nanny position was not so much anything involved in the “day to day” of my job. I had a wonderful employer who taught me the importance of commanding respect in my important role as a caregiver to her children. This first nanny experience was a good one and hence, is a great part of why I am still a nanny today. But, back in 1977, there were very few nannies or governesses, and there were only two whom I knew personally in the Denver area. I had no peer group and sought the camaraderie of others in my profession. If I had one wish, it was to have had access to a network of other sin my field as I do today, within organizations such as the INA and Denver Area Nanny Association.

5. What is something about you, other may find surprising?
I have always secretly dreamed of being a great dancer. Andsince I was not blessed with the long and lean physical traits of a dancer’s body, my parents encouraged me to pursue other interests such as playing a variety ofmusical instruments and singing, which I greatly love. The closest things I have experienced to my aspirations of a dance career were being an active participant in the disco scene in the late ‘70’s, once taking a series of ballroom classes at the Fred Astaire School of Dance, and learning all there is to know about Appalachian clogging (I AM a dulcimer player, you know!) So, if they are ever looking for a nanny celebrity to join the cast of “Dancing with the Stars”… well, I can dream!!

Thanks so much to Cindy Wilkinson for letting us get to know you! To read more about her passions, check out her blog: Jumpin with Cindy .

Looking to connect with the Denver Area Nanny Association or another nanny support group, check out this list.