This article is dedicated to a dear friend, Lori Baker, who life was taken away by a violent death. She would have been 41 on April 13th.
After several times of rewriting this article I finally realized what a professional nanny should be. Lori Baker was one of the most amazing nannies I know. She was very professional and I can only hope from this day forward I can be the kind of nanny she was. She never ever talked in a negative way about her nanny position. She loved them as though they were her family. She had an amazing relationship with children, the parents as well as the extended family members. For a nanny finding such a wonderful family can be far and few between.
Being a nanny is such a rewarding career. I can’t imagine doing anything else other than caring for children. We help nurture them to be successful in every way we can. Every day we come into our work family’s home and allowed to play a very important role in their lives. It is a true blessing and honor to help raise other people’s children and teach them appropriate and life lasting skills. Lori did an amazing job with the kids she cared for, and the oldest child is one of the nicest and sweetest girls I know.
Being a nanny is not an easy task. We don’t have co-workers pre say; therefore we have to rely on networking ourselves. I strongly believe if at all possible a nanny should be involved in a local support group, a national group or a Facebook/ yahoo group. We as nannies have so much to offer one another; and only those who are nannies know what it is like to be a professional nanny.
Lastly I feel it’s important to keep up to date on child related issues. This can be done by attending conferences, reading books, articles, and searching the internet. Google can be a nannies’ best friend at times. Going to conferences shows families we are professional and we don’t take our career lightly. Keeping up to date on CPR/ First Aid is just as important. I as a nanny seek many ways to improve myself to be a better nanny. The bottom line is children just need love and guidance to be the best they can be. I just have to say “remember” to the kids I nanny and they say “I am smart, kind and important and you love me very much”.
Anyone who knew Lori, professionally or personally will forever have a part of her spirit within them.
written by Mallette Perry
Mallette,
I thank you for your kind and thoughtful article on what a Professional Nannie really is. Few people really know what “Special” people you really are. I am one of the fortunate people to have first hand experience at what it takes to be a Professional Nannie. Our daughter, Lori Baker, was one of those “Special” people who dedicated her whole life, her very heart and sole to being the best that she could be at her profession. This was a dedication born out of her love for children and her passion and gift of being able to transfer that love to the children that were her charges. I also thank you for mentioning Lori in your article and keeping her memory alive.
Kindest Regards,
Paul and Andrea Baker