Meet Nanny You was started over at the CincyNanny Blog to introduce and connect local nannies. Greta Schrear brought it to Regarding Nannies in hopes of doing the same with our readers on a larger and worldwide level. We have found attending national conferences and local nanny gatherings that we can have so much in common with the many of nanny professionals we meet. 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. We hope that the stories and experiences shared in the “Meet Nanny” series will inspire. Let’s meet Nanny Mallory Lynch. today… Make sure you come back next week for more things from Mallory! She is going to be around Regarding Nannies a lot more!
How long have you been in the nanny industry?
7 years
What are THREE unique characteristics about you, that you strive to pass along to the children in your care?
Lifelong Learner – If your mind isn’t growing it’s shrinking!
Accepting – Because tolerance isn’t enough.
Giant Weirdo – What’s so great about normal?!
What is the most rewarding thing about your career as a Nanny?
Freedom!
Freedom to plan our day how we choose.
Freedom to go anywhere we want – including outside on nice days instead of being stuck inside.
Freedom to do whatever I want when I get home at night – including get a restful night’s sleep. Which is something I wouldn’t have if the kids were actually mine!
What is your daily life in your job like?
I start my work days at 7am with putting dishes away, making breakfast, and packing lunches. I get the girls up, fed, ready for the day, and it’s off to school we go. (The youngest is in Pre-K 3 mornings a week so on days she doesn’t have school we head to a play date of some sort for most of the morning.) Each day of the week I usually have a household task I like to get done (Mondays – groceries/cooking, Tuesdays – laundry, Wednesdays – other errands like Target, Costco, dry cleaning, etc.) On Pre-K days I pick up the youngest around 11:30 for lunch and/or a play date. We spend the afternoon getting in some quality time (along with a little additional housework). Most days this is reading books, drawing pictures, wrestling, and getting my hair done by a detangler-happy 4 year old. It’s off to get the oldest from Kindergarten around 3:30pm. On long days we have Little Gym, play dates, and family meetings. On short days we have a snack and wait for mom/dad to get home. Every day is similar but never the same!
What is one thing you wished you had known your first day as a Nanny?
Not to take sh*t personally. Parents are going to have bad days, kids are going to have bad days and of course I am going to have bad days. Now I just do my best to take it all in stride, keep my spirits up, and know that tomorrow will be better. And if not tomorrow – the next day!
Are you involved in the nanny industry? (Organizations, conferences, trainings, yahoogroups, blogging, websites, support groups)
Organizations: DEMA, INA, NAEYC
Local groups I’m a part of: Madtown Nannies
Projects I’m assisting with: Tribe Teachings, National Nanny Training Day
Conferences I’ve attended: Nannypalooza
What is something others may be surprised to know about you?
I am the absolute worst joke teller in the world. Wow. It was hard to admit that.
If you weren’t in the nanny industry, what do you vision yourself as doing?
Professional moped racer. Just kidding – I WISH I was that cool. 10 years ago I would have said actuary. 5 years ago I would have said a teacher. 1 year ago I would have said stay-at-home mom. Today I would have to say that I would probably be in some other private service role such as household manager or personal assistant. I’ve realized I like what I do THAT much!
What is one of your favorite memories since you have been in the nanny industry?
The girls and I were leaving the mall and everyone was very hungry. C – who at the time was about 3, was using her selective listening skills as we were trying to buckle up and get ready to drive home…
Me: You’re having a rough day, huh.
C: No I’m not.
Me: Well you’re not being the best listener.
C: Actually – that sounds like a rough day for YOU.
Well played my friend, well played.
How do you give back in your community? Personally and/or Professionally.
I run a local social group called Madtown Nannies.
Tell us a little bit about how you got into the nanny field.
Spent my first two years of college at UW-Madison studying actuarial science, but I decided it was not for me and that I missed working with kids. I stumbled across the English Nanny and Governess school when looking into career options but decided to head to UW-Milwaukee to get a teaching degree instead. In one of my math classes, I met a friend who was a part time nanny and I thought this was my chance to enjoy both nannying and teaching. She hooked me up with a local agency and I got my first job! I continued to nanny part time while finishing up school and when my student teaching was almost completed I realized I missed nannying and made the decision to pursue that as my career instead. I applied, interviewed, and accepted my first full time nanny job just before my student teaching was finished. So I packed my things and returned to Madison and have been with “my family” since.
What is the most important piece of advice you can share with others in the nanny industry and our readers.
Don’t be afraid to ask. You’ll never know if your family is willing to give you a raise, send you to a national conference, and contribute money towards your professional development, and a whole lot of other stuff if you never speak up!
What was your first job or other jobs you have held?
My first job ever was a babysitting gig for my cousin. He was 9 months old and I was 9 years old. I continued to babysit through elementary, middle, and high school. My first on the books job was as a janitorial assistant at our local elementary school one summer, and the local high school the next. While I took my babysitting jobs very seriously, I unfortunately did not take my janitorial job seriously. I was dubbed the ring leader by a few of the senior janitors as I preferred organizing games of tape-ball tag, scooter races, and blackout hide-and-seek in the auditorium to scrubbing toilets, waxing floors, and freezing gum off of desks. (But I mean can you blame me?) And it must have been a sign of things to come… because I still HATE cleaning.
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?
It feels hard to remember sometimes! When I’m not working (and that includes professional development projects), I enjoy having dinner and watching movies with my husband and hanging out with friends – namely, drinking, watching sporting events, and pub crawling.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I am obsessed with Christmas trees. My current collection is 10 strong and they were all on display in my home this past holiday season.
What changes would you like to see in the nanny industry?
I’d like to see more of an industry standard pertaining to training, continuing education, and code of conduct, professional practices, and career advancement.
What is your favorite book that you have read? movie?
I am not much of a reader as I don’t find it pleasurable at all and only read when wanting to learn something. So I offer you this throwback from my childhood. Crick-Ette/Cooty Doo. It was two books in one which of course is awesome. Here is a link in case anyone feels the urge to send me an early birthday present. 😉
When you retire, what you would you like to be doing?
When I retire I would like to spend my days in Door County chugging wine and guzzling Bloody Marys while I relax by the lake
Where would you take your dream vacation?
My dream vacation location at this very moment is my own home. It would be an amazing feeling to get a bunch of projects and housework done during the day and then hang out on my porch enjoying some drinks in the evening. Nothing sounds better than catching up on sleep and life in general!