Meet Nanny Brandi

I love meeting new nanny friends! I was lucky to meet our featured nanny at INA Conference in May this year. It was so exciting to see her enthusiasm and joy at her first conference! I was suddenly taken back 3 years and saw myself in her. I am so happy that you, too, get to meet her!

Meet Nanny Brandi
By: Greta Schraer

1. What is your daily nanny life like?

Lately I start the day at 7:30 a.m. waiting for the kids to wake-up. I get them breakfast and then we talk about what is going on for the day/week. Summer time means I transport the kids to various camps. We fill in the week with play dates, trips to the library, the pool, the children’s museum or the petting farm. One field trip we took to a local milk farm to understand the process of how milk gets from cow to table. After that our trips to the store always had them begging for that brand of milk. We also went to a marble store where they demonstrate how marbles are made. I try whatever I can do to incorporate something educational and fun into our week.

2. What are 3 unique characteristics about you that you strive to live for the children in your care?

I try to set the best example possible. Children are far more impressed by what you do than what you say. Part of that is also helping them understand that you treat others as you want them to treat you. By being respectful and kind to family members and others then they are in turn more likely to treat you in a kind way. I also try to have a sense of humor about things. I hope I have helped the kids understand that when things don’t go right sometimes you just need to have a good laugh and be silly. Finding some humor can really help.

3. What is the most rewarding thing about your career as a Nanny?

I am a better person for having known all of the children I have helped care for and love. I have had moments with each child that has helped me get to know myself better and this has provided life lessons that will stay with me forever. By learning from them daily, and continuing to make adjustments, they help me grow to be the best nanny and caregiver possible. This in turn enables me to hopefully leave a lasting and positive imprint on the children I have cared for. To me this is one of the greatest rewards a nanny can have.

4. What is one thing that you wish you would have known your first day as a Nanny?

How important it is to connect with others in the nanny community. The saying goes “Experience is something you get too late to do anything about the mistakes you made while getting it.” The experience of other nannies that have been in your “shoes” can help you by validating your feelings and it gives you a healthy outlet to share with others. Rather than be isolated and overwhelmed, you can be pro-active to future issues that may come up or possibly prevent them all together. We have such a valuable resource in our nanny community to help make us excellent caregivers.

5. What is something others may be surprised to know about you?

I am a true fan of professional tennis. Grand Slam matches or otherwise I love watching every match I can. My favorite player of all time is Andre’ Agassi. I also support our local tennis team the 2010 World Team Tennis Champions the Kansas City Explorers by attending at least one match a season. I have never been to a Grand Slam Tournament but I hope to go sometime in the future.

Brandi Hylton has been a professional nanny in Kansas City, Missouri for 10 years, caring for children from newborn to 10 years old. She is currently a live-out nanny for 3 children in Lenexa, Kansas. Brandi is a member of the International Nanny Association and an INA Credentialed Nanny. She recently became an aunt for the first time and likes to spoil her niece silly any chance she gets.