Thursday Table Talk: Nanny Appreciation Notes

Nanny Appreciation Notes
By: Greta Schraer

If you haven’t yet heard… it is National Nanny Recognition Week! At Regarding Nannies we wanted to give each nanny, employer, support group, or  agency a platform to honor a nanny or group of nannies. The following is a list of notes that we have been collecting. If you missed your chance to get a note in, feel free to add what you want to say in a comment at the end of this post!

We appreciate all of our readers, guest-writers and supporters. We sincerely love to write and share resources to support the professional nanny and industry. We truly are humbled that you follow. Happy NNRW to you! ~ Regarding Nannies Development Team: Glenda, Alice, Kellie, & Greta

I want to send a well deserved THANK YOU to some incredible Nannies friends that have supported me during my job hunt. To all who sent me supportive emails, called just to check in on me or passed along job lead information, I say thank you! You will never know how much those efforts meant to me and I hope to return the favor when you need it.  And I wish to especially thank Glenda, Michelle, Lisa, and Sue for all the advice, phone calls, resume proof reading, and prayers! You have all been amazing and I am proud to call you my friends! ~ Gael Ann

Petra Ortiz:  Petra, you are one of the gentlest, sweetest people I have ever met.  Your families are *so* blessed to have you in their lives and I am so proud to call you friend!  Congratulations on your new full time position…they could not have picked a better nanny!! ~ Tara

Michelle Dubro:  Michelle, your incredible effort and creative ideas constantly inspire me to be a better nanny.  Little Miss S is a truly lucky little girl, and I am so lucky to call you friend. ~ Tara

April Krause:  Thank you for being my teammate, my friend, my venting partner, my playdate buddy, my vision sharer, my friend.  You make a difference in all the lives you touch!  What would I do without you?  ~ Tara

Maria Harrington:  Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in to MPNA and into caring for your three girls.  Can’t wait to get our “fourpack of twincesses” back together to play soon! ~ Tara

Beth Taylor:  It’s not every nanny group that can boast Elizabeth Taylor!  Or that can boast such a dedicated, commited nanny…thank you for all that you do for “Monkey Woman” and for our nanny community! ~ Tara

Kristen Grau:  I am so in awe of your creativity!   Lil Man J is a lucky, lucky little guy!!  Thanks for being so willing to share your awesome ideas with the rest of us! ~ Tara

Sue Downey:  Sue, you are an inspiration and a gift.  Your support, professionally and personally, has been absolutely invaluable.  Thank you thank you thank you thank you…I simply cannot say it enough!!  Thank you! ~ Tara

Glenda has been part of our family for over 16 years. She is devoted to our children–nurturing, loving, teaching and guiding them (and us).  Glenda has always been there for our entire family, and we are so lucky to have her in our lives and pleased to be able to honor her today.  ~ Lisa and Carl

I do not know where to begin when trying to say how much I appreciate Glenda, my nanny, who is a truly special person. She is a part of my immediate family because of how close our relationship has become during the last seventeen years. I am indebted to her for how she has helped raise me into the man that I am today. Love, Freddy

To Glenda: nanny you are the BEST  nanny in the whole wide world you mean soooooooo much to me and with out you in my life I dont no what i would do you are so helpful to me and even though you say, “Emma i no you are growing up and you are going to want to start being with your friends more”, that will never be true i will never not want to spend time with you because i love you so much and i am so glad that you are in my life. ~ LOVE, EMMA

A big thank you needs to go out to Kellie Geres and her ADCAN board. Last Sunday they planned a lovely brunch for ADCAN members. They were able to contact nanny agencies who provided gifts and the cost of the brunch to us. I love my yellow rose and my Starbucks giftcards. Kellie has done a great deal to keep ADCAN traditions alive. I just want her to know how much we appreciate her. Thanks, Kellie. ~ Sue Krzos

Happy National Nanny Recognition Week to all the amazing women I am proud to call friends and colleagues. I have laughed with you, cried with you, prayed with you, learned from you, grown with you, I value you, respect you, and thank you for all you have brought to my life! ~ Glenda Propst

To all nannies … thank you for making a difference in the lives of the children and families you work with.  I applaud your creativity, patience, courage and determination to be the best you can be every day. ~ Kellie Geres

Karen Yatsko – thank you for being my best friend, confidant, sounding board, scrapbook buddy, book buddy, partner in crime and liking me just the way I am!   ~ Kellie

To My Regarding Nannies Development Team Membes – thanks for taking this journey with me … thanks for challenging me and making a difference in the lives of so many people.  ~ Kellie

A special shout out to all those within the industry who planned, sponsored, volunteered or attended a Nannypalooza event this year. Knowing how important it is to continue to grow, you all characterize the best our profession has to offer. Thank you so much! ~ Sue Downey

To all the CincyNannies! You are unique and wonderful in your own ways, yet share the same passion for children. I am so thankful to know professionals to challenge each other and share the time with! Happy NNRW! ~ Greta

To Glenda, Alice, Kellie, Michelle, and Sue… your leadership and friendship have been life to me. You are THE BEST.Thank you for reaching out to me and encouraging me! ~ Greta

To Amanda, Trisha, & Rebecca. You made this past weekend such a special time for our local nannies. Thanks for your hard work and more importantly your shared passion to give without expecting to receive. You are quality nannies, professionals, and givers! ~ Greta

Thank you Regarding Nannies Team-I know the impact Glenda has had on my life. I’m proud to call myself a career nanny because of those who’ve set precedent like Glenda and Harriet. I’m equally proud of those who continue to lead the way like Alice, Kellie, and of course, Greta! Thank you for putting nannies everywhere on the map. Happy NNRW team! ~Buffi

HAPPY NNRW TO ALL MY NANNY-SISTERS!! You ALL have been and are continuing to do a FABULOUS job with all children, and my wish is for you to Do the Best that YOU Can Do! CONGRATULATIONS AND ENJOY!! ~ Sherri Powell

MARIA and TARA! You girls are wonderful!!!  I would not be the nanny I am without you two.  Thanks!!! ~ April Krause

YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!!!  I have gained something from everyone that I have met, either at nanny school, conferences, online or in my area!!! ~ April Krause

Hi Nannies, My name is Harry. I am almost 7. My nanny is Beth Lehmann. I call her Nanny! She has taken care of me since I was born. That is a long time! I met her at the hospital just after I was born. Nanny does so many fun and exciting things with me and my big brother. She takes us on fieldtrips all over New York. She even took us on vacation without our parents  to Seattle for a week. It was so much fun. We never know what she has planned for us. Everyday is something different. We have discovered so many fun places because of Nanny. My favorite was going to an Indian restaurant in an Indian neighborhood. We explored the stores and saw food from their country. It was so interesting to smell the spices and taste the food from India. I liked the tandoori chicken and rice. Another thing is she took us to the seaport for the worldcup. We played soccer their. We found a new imagination playground where we had so much fun and were covered in dirt and mud that she had to go to the Gap to by us new clothes so we could take the subway home. It was so cool. We hiked and explored Governor’s Island. She takes us to the zoos, aquarium, parks, museum, amusement parks.  science center, swimming, bike riding, Sometimes we say that we don’t want to go and she makes us go and we always have fun.rollerblading, scootering, shopping and the movies. She fixes up our booboos, helps with our homework, cooks ar dinner, helps us clean our room, washes clothes.  tells us silly stories, plays play doh, lego, starwars and playmobile, and does arts and crafts. She uis always busy.My parents can be away alot so Nanny takes extra good care of us when they are gone. Everyone needs a Nanny like mine. She is the best. She rocks!! ~Harrison

Dear A Friend of the Family Caregivers, We are so proud to be associated with you and the outstanding job you do every day for our clients. You really make a difference in the world when you help shape the life of a child. You help shape the life of a child when you show love and let children know that they are loved for exactly who they are right now. Thank you for your compassion, your dedication and your unending patience to the children in your care, whether it be for a day or a year.We hear great things about you every day from our clients and, as much as we try to share positive feedback, we don’t do it nearly enough.Thank you to all of the many caregivers and nannies who have been with A Friend of the Family over the past 26 years. We respect you. We appreciate you. We value you.  We honor you.  ~ Judi Merlin and all of your friends at A Friend of the Family

I would like to say a special thank-you to Ashley for being so fabulous! I just started work last week, and she has made what could have been a rough transition into an easy and enjoyable time! I am so grateful to have met someone with such a wonderful way with my daughter. Every day she teaches her new things, and she teaches me too! I appreciate her expertise, thoughtfulness, and her loving, caring manner. Thanks, Ashley! ~ Elizabeth

The Zlotnick family would like to say a HUGE thank you to our amazing nanny, Jenny Brown.  Jenny enriches our lives every day with her positive energy, her generosity and her humor.  We can think of no better example for our children to follow than her.  We love you Jenny!

We are so thankful to have the help of our nanny, Marva and I don’t know what we would do without her. We see how she has earned her nickname as we too call her Marvelous Marva. Happy National Nanny Recognition Week!

I’m at my families house all week and do not have my laptop, just my blackberry. I want to shout out to a nanny. I’ve seen her wonderful post and replies to us. I have never met any nannies in person and I’m not close by to any. Really I do not know any nannies in my local area. There is one nanny that I love to read things she writes and she has said some good replies to me- drum roll please–“JaniceStClaire.” I love your name,too. Nanny Janice St Claire 🙂 April you too for I was your secret santa-HOHO. But I have to say, we are all awesome Nannies in this world and I’ve seem to know some great ones since WWN and regarding Nannies and my first job as being a NANNY.  Some day, I want to shake some hands and pat some of you personally on the back to have known you even if its on-line. HUG A NANNY TODAY! ~ Joan

My name is Chrissi Antilus and I work for Parents in a Pinch, Inc as the Nanny Placement and Recruitment Specialist in Boston, Massachusetts.  I wanted to give a shout out to all of our WONDERFUL nannies!  I have been working with the agency for over two years now and have been so impressed by all of our nannies.  We consistently receive great feedback on everyone that we place with families.  You all make my job enjoyable and rewarding.  Thank you for allowing us to help families find quality childcare!

When it is all said and done, it will not matter what kind of car you drove or how big your house was; you will be remembered because you were important in the life of a child.  Happy National Nanny Recognition Week!

Thank you Ashley for all of your hard work, dedication, love, patience, nurturing, and fun-loving approach to taking care of our children!  You are a valued part of our family! –Jessica Green

Vicki – I love that you give yourself 100 percent to every kid in your care. That makes you amazing in my eyes. You love fully and any child is lucky to have had you in their life 🙂 ~ Jenn

Beth Lipinski Anderson-you are a wealth of knowledge for what to do in the Los Angeles area.  I look forward to your postings and am greatful for your help on the Socalinannies FB page. – Buffi

Mary Rippon.-you continue to inspire me with ongoing education and your ambition to continue to improve your knowledge of childcare techniques.  Thank you for being one of our longest members and for being such a great friend. – Buffi

Tiffaney Smith-I may not know you well, but I look forward to you becoming a more active member of our group and meeting you in person. – Buffi

Andrea Gassert-You may be one of our furthest local SoCal member, but you do not go unnoticed.  I love your input and your insight that only a seasoned nanny can supply.  I’m also glad you moved here as I consider you a very close friend. Thanks for setting up our CPR/First Aid class! – Buffi

Alice Shaffer-Thank you for being a part of our group, even though you spent such a short time in the LA area.  I love your vast knowledge and I won’t lie, your contacts in the world of all things nanny! My spare bedrooms are always open to you! – Buffi

Linda Cooper-I love your straight forwardness and your tell it like it is attitude.  Your Jamacain Jerk Chicken is not too bad either! Miss you lady. – Buffi

Mic Almanza-I can’t imagine a better partner for my group.  Even though you’re retired, you’re a valuable resource to all of us still in the business. – Buffi

Amanda Ferguson-I’m so glad you joined our group!  I can see you having a great career in the Los Angeles area. – Buffi

Kate Hooper- I’m glad you also joined our little group.  I look forward to knowing you a long time as part of this industry. – Buffi

Lynsi Paige-Even though you are far away, I love to read about your daily escapades. I’m glad that you are able to share your ability to work as a nanny during the summer, while you work on your degree during the school year. – Buffi

Natalie Hart-Thank you for being such a great nanny and a steadfast member of our group.  I can’t imagine not knowing you. – Buffi

Stephanie Jankowski aka Malibu-I miss you!  Even though I know you’re at the tail end of your nannying career, you’re a great LA success story int he world of nanny.  Sending you warm thoughts in Chi-town. – Buffi

Sarah Toscano-I’m so happy that you’re a member and that you’re going on to start your only little family.  May the rest of your pregnancy be safe and easy. – Buffi

Tiffeny Kuzio-You’re also one of my oldest group friends and even though you’ve retired, you’re insight remains a great resource for others, especially in the area of bringing your baby to work with you. I just need to see the Kuzio’s more at gatherings!

Stephanie Whitson aka Mama Steph-You too are a great resource of bringing baby to work with you while you nanny!  I love your input and look forward to seeing your babies smiling faces.

Terri Carroll-I miss you and I hope that you can find a job in the LA area to come back.  Your knowledge will be wasted in the book keeping/accounting arena.  Someone find this woman a job!

The team at Nannies & Housekeepers USA in Las Vegas, NV is very excited about National Nanny Recognition Week and Nannypalooza.  I would like to take a moment to share a few words with you about an ALL STAR NANNY named Mattie Goins. Sometimes a nanny comes into your world who is able to bring not only helping hands, but a caring heart filled with love and devotion.  Mattie is very special and important because she genuinely cares about details.  She is interested in making sure she is making a difference every single day.  Her concern is not just the hours and the home work, but making sure she is part of events and to be a tutor, confidant, cheerleader, security guard and leader.Nannies wear many hats and here is to taking a hat off and two thumbs up to Matie for making a difference.
– Lexy Capp

My friend Row and I met online and have become online buddies for a long time now. I think she is an amazing nanny that give valuable advice and cares for her charges so much!!! Happy NRW Row!!! Jenn

Angela and I have served on nanny groups together and have both been with families long term over 15 years with one family. She has always been a great source of help to me and I love her Happy NRW Ang!!  Jenn

Glenda, You are my nanny mentor! The advice and friendship you have given me over the years is priceless!! You are amazing! Love you !! happy NRW G Jenn

Bonnie Mills: Thank you for taking me out on my first weekend in the DC area back in November 1996 to see “That Thing You Do” at the Tysons movie theater. (just found my calendar with that info) .~ Alice

Jamie Kinney Beastrom: Thank you for allowing me to join you on the ADCAN board 6 months after being in town.  I remember fondly all those nights and days of  true “copy” and “pasting” the newsletter together in your basement. As well as holding Thanksgiving dinner for those misplaced nannies that was so much fun! .~ Alice

Dawn Woods Hong: For helping me escape from the “lock down” nanny job I had.  I remember fondly the night we went out and I didn’t come home till the next day and wondering what would be said.

Mary Clurman: who brought the first nanny newsletter “Nanny News” that helped me get connected to so many nannies in the US .~ Alice

Harriette Grant: For showing me the way of how important nanny support groups are. For being my warrior in my battle to stay afloat at times with ADCAN. Thank you for being a trailblazer in this industry before we ever really knew what was going to happening in the world of nannying. .~ Alice

Sharon Miller: for sharing back in Raleigh how to travel with kids and have fun with very little supplies! Pillow forts, to my own “Bill Clinton” paper bag puppet. How purple pens really do make being a treasurer a better job. .~ Alice

Judi Merlin: for having the idea to start National Nanny Recognition Week! .~ Alice

ADCAN: to helping to with the First March on the Hill, NannyDay to celebrate National Nanny Recognition Week .~ Alice

NAN: to giving nannies a voice like myself to educate themselves and others in how to be the best nanny they can be! .~ Alice

INA: to helping give birth to some of the amazing pioneers in this wonderful nanny industry whether they be nannies, agencies, educators or businesses. For allowing nannies to see the other side of the “coin” in the nanny world with the agency track workshops at conferences. .~ Alice

Kathy Webb/4nannies.com:  for providing an outlet for nannies to find jobs, network and being so incredibly supportive of all facets in the nanny industry! .~ Alice

Kristin Kanoski: I remember the time we hide out in your room in Raleigh and talked for several hours. Thanks for being a part of my nanny life! ~ Alice

Amy Wear Johns: for being the best nanny friend one could have ever imagined! For sharing your nanny school knowledge with me.   I am so thankful that you and your family are in my life!  I will treasure the 2000 NAN conference when you got engaged and we drove around Napa.  You shared so much nanny “craft” knowledge with me.  .~ Alice

Penny Percey:  thanks for being an awesome nanny friend! Your friendship over the past years has been truly amazing! You are an amazing nanny and mother! .~ Alice

Kim Smith: for that amazing fun time in San Fran we had during the 2000 NAN conference. See you in October! .~ Alice

Amelia Georgianna: for amazing friendship that doesn’t matter how many years it has been since we talked.  We shall always have Duke, Krispie Kreme, Cheerwine, and NC BBQ  .~ Alice

Judith Abranovich: for being the amazing person you are in all the facets you have to give. You showed me so many things about the nanny world that I never imagined. .~ Alice

Jenn Goin: for being a wonderful nanny who has a huge heart for others! .~ Alice

Angela Fooshee Cain: for being a great friend.  I will remember our great talk on the flight to and from New Orleans for the INA conference. That is where the “Raffle Lady” was born. .~ Alice

Sue Downey: for being a great new friend! I am so glad we have connected. For assisting the “Raffle Lady” and giving to those in the nanny industry without asking for things in return. .~ Alice

Carmen Brown: for being so incredibly nice to me at my first INA Conference in 2003 and each year following. .~ Alice

Deborah Smith/4everythingnanny: for having that vision back in 1999 for ParentswithNannies and creating 4everythingnanny to getting “nanny” shirts etc out there for people to recognize nannies .~ Alice

Becky Kavanagh: for being the best “customer” that this “Raffle Lady” could have.  For showing me how you can have successful relationships with older kids in your job despite them not truly needing a “nanny” .~ Alice

Buffi Gentry: for being that amazing nanny that you are and showing me what  “LA” nannylife is all about way back in 1999! To getting tattoos to having my little friend Jolly the lizard waiting for me in the guest room when I came to LA.  To that first time we met when you picked me up at the Getty Museum to the time we went with the Socal nannies to camp out! .~ Alice

Angela Jackson:for being a wonderful friend and nanny conference travel buddy!  Sharing the wonderful tips on dealing with teenagers! For allowing me to become a well traveled baseball park visitor!  Can’t wait to see what “big” trip we will have in 2015! .~ Alice

Kellie Geres: for becoming an amazing friend who has helped me through “tons” of paperwork, boxes, stamps,and “mold”  without judging my “organzation” talents. To helping me with my kid who thinks I am mean. To finding my bodyshop person for the car repairs. For being an example of how to deal with tweens and still live. For seeing that we have something wonderful to offer the world of nanny to work together in giving “Regarding Nannies” to the world. .~ Alice

Greta Schraer: for just being an amazing “boardie”.  From the moment we chatted in hotel lobby at the Dallas INA conference, I knew you were a pioneer in this industry for the years to come. To gather those things from the past generations of amazing nanny pioneers to carry their dreams and hopes to future generations of professional nannies. For being an amazing nanny who really gives their heart and soul to the children and parents in her hands. To sharing that with those locally in Cincy to those nationwide.  .~ Alice

Glenda Propst:  for being more than “Just G” to me. For your guidance, love and support through the past 14 years we have known each other. Through dozens of “Big Yellow Boxes” to putting our “brand” together for everyone to learn from our experiences and knowledge.  To having the faith in me that I couldn’t see and for showing me how to see that good that I have within myself. For being an amazing guide in this wonderful journey of being a professional nanny for myself and the 100s of other nannies we have encountered in the beginnings of the AOL CHAT days to everything else the internet has brought to us. To coming to work with me again in developing “Regarding Nannies” to share the strengths of the four of us for the nanny industry.~ Alice

To all those in the the early days of AOL CHAT,  ParentsWithNannies, WorldWideNannies, Webhos, Socalinannies and NANmembers: life today would not be the same had we not met via the little things called AOL Chat and yahoogroups.  ~ Alice

Celebrate being a wonderful nanny for what you have to offer to those in your job, those around you and throughout the world!  Celebrate National Nanny Recognition Week!