Nanny Notes of Appreciation ~ NNRW 2012

In honor of National Nanny Recognition Week we gave YOU, the public an opportunity to give a shout out to your favorite nanny.  The response was overwhelming!  Thank You for these messages, and to all nannies – know you are appreciated, loved and respected by your sisterhood of nannies!

For 17 years I have been a professional nanny, and I cannot tell you how many nannies I have met and talked with. I cannot even begin to name them all.  Each of them has shared a commonality or experience that only nannies can truly understand.  

Three years ago, Kellie Geres, Glenda Propst and I embarked on a journey that we had no idea if it would last a week much less three years in creating Regarding Nannies. The people I have met through Regarding Nannies have been incredible. Some of them I would never have met through the conferences at International Nanny Association or Nannypalooza. The wonderful world of social media and the internet brought our paths together.  

The beginning of my appreciation for the nannyworld started back in the summer of 1995 as I was a nanny in Chapel Hill, NC. I found the International Nanny Association (INA) and National Association of Nannies (NAN) listed in the book of careers. I picked up the phone and made a call to Eva Harkness who was one of the founders of NAN.  We talked for hours.  I decided that fall to explore the Northeast looking for a nanny job. I landed in Washington DC and found the wonderful Association of DC Area Nannies (ADCAN).  My first outing was with Bonnie Mills to the movie theater at Tysons.  I then met the wonderful Harriette Grant and Glenda Propst.  These meetings were equally followed by nannies that were here for only a bit of time in their lives to those who are still involved in the nanny world 30 plus years later.   

I want to thank each and every one of the nannies I have met in my 17 years for leaving an impression on me and making my chosen career as a nanny a better place.  Thank you and enjoy this week and every day that follows.   Alice Shaffer

I would like to recognize Nanny Cheryl Bissey as one of the best nannies ever!!!!! She gave up her high paying job in Silicon Valley to follow her dream of taking care of children. She went back to school and took many courses on Early Childhood Development, because she not only wanted to be passionate, but she also wanted to be knowledgeable. She has meen my mentor for over two years, and I can tell you, there is no one with a bigger heart for children than Cheryl. You see, she’s not only my mentor, she’s my mom. Tracy Crosby 

Glenda,
G you are always there for me when I need you. You have made the Nanny community what it is today. I just want to say thanks for all you did for NAN and all you do for the INA Harriet would be so proud of all that you have accomplished. Thanks again G. I really do appreciate all you do.
Best wishes and a very Happy NNRW
Anne-Marie

 

Glenda Propst – Thank you for your leadership in the nanny industry and for your amazing friendship through the years.  I am honored to know you and have you as a friend! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Jamie Kinney Beastrom – You helped me to find my way as a DC nanny.  Thank you.  You were a great ADCAN President! Brandi (Watters) Burns

The HOS – You are an amazing, uplifting, supportive, loving group of women that I am BLESSED and HONORED to have as friends!  I love you all!! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Myrna Alphonse Newman – Thank you for being such an amazing example of a professional nanny!  I wish that we had a chance to spend more time together before I left DC.  Brandi (Watters) Burns

Sally Tingley-Walker – You will always go down as the best Secret Santa EVER!  Thank you for your amazing friendship through all of the years.  I hope that one day we will get to hang out and laugh in person!  I love you, Sals! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Theresa Broderick – Thank you for sharing recipes, the cooking lessons, the advice, the resume assistance, the ear to listen, the shoulder to lean on, and your wonderful friendship through the years!  I can’t believe that YOU are the first nanny friend that I had and we are still friends all of these years and careers later!  Love you! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Ellen Veney – From the first amusing conversation we had to our continual friendship, I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful friend.  I am glad that you continue to be part of my life, my friend! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Tracy Stanley – Thank you for being such an encourager!   You always have a way to make me smile!  I am glad that we met and we were able to keep in touch via annual holiday cards & letters before FB.  Thanks to FB, I can now stalk you!  Much love to you, my friend! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Christine Smith – I had SO much fun with you at the NAN Conference in Cleveland!  Thanks for your friendship through the years.  Love you! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Former NAN Members – Being a part of NAN was such a benefit to my life.  Thank you for the professional growth as a nanny and child care professional, the fun conferences, the Walk on Washington, and the amazing life-long friendships! Brandi (Watters) Burns

ADCAN Members – Thank you for introducing me to the world of “Professional Nannies”.  Becoming part of ADCAN opened so many doors for me as a nanny and as a person.  Best wishes for continued success! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Alice Shaffer – Thanks for your friendship through the years.  You do so many wonderful things for the Nanny world.  I am proud to know you and be counted as one of the nannies you helped! Brandi (Watters) Burns

Glenda, thank you for all you do for everyone. You are an amazing, generous, loving, strong woman, mentor and friend. I truly feel like I am a better nanny for knowing you. With heartfelt love, Stacie Gebeke

Myrna, I have learned much from you over the years and I thank you for that. I love that we are in a field where we so willingly share what we know so that we can all rise to the level that all children deserve. Have a wonderful NNRW. Love Stacie Gebeke

To Alice, our Raffle Queen, you are a wonderful gift to all who know you. Love Stacie Gebeke

Kellie, I have known you for many years and have been touched by you many times through NJNN, INA, Nanny Island, it is always great to see you. Love Stacie Gebeke

Karen, it was so great to see you at INA. I love your generous loving spirit, humor, and willingness to help guide us to where we need to get to when we can’t see the forest for the trees. Love Stacie Gebeke

Michele, you give so much of your time to all of us and your family you are an inspiration. Love Stacie Gebeke

Tonya, you are becoming my go to person for loving guidance on all things baby and allergy related, you are a fount of great info. Love Stacie Gebeke

Kathy, I love your willingness to educate all of us on proper car seat safety. Love Stacie Gebeke

To all the other wonderful nannies I know, you touch my life and I carry you with me, Happy NNRW to all. Love Stacie Gebeke

I would also like to honor Harriette Grant’s memory, her many contributions to our industry, for showing so many of us that being professional didn’t mean we couldn’t have fun, for knowing that when we build each other up we are all stronger. Harriette, I miss you and your loving nature, your wonderful sense of humor and fun, and your wisdom. Love Stacie Gebeke

 

Alice, Thank you for always making me laugh with your very amusing posts. You always seem to see the brighter side of things.
Bridget

CincyNannies! Happy NNRW. It is a pleasure to know you, serve families with you, and learn from you. We are unique in our expertise and methods, but we share a common bond… we simply love children. This week, YOU ARE CELEBRATED! Sincerely, Greta Schraer (Director of CincyNanny)

Michelle LaRowe Conover- You are a dynamo and an inspiration. Thanks for all that you do for this profession!  Happy NNRW! – Brandi H

Jocelyn Yelverton- So glad to know you. You are a credit to this profession! Happy NNRW!
-Brandi H

Glenda Propst- Glenda, what can I say, you are AMAZING! You have been a great support to me and so many other nannies and I have loved every moment of our growing friendship. I am so inspired by all that you do for this profession. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.  Happy NNRW!  -Brandi H

Alice Shaffer- You are the networking Queen of Professional Nannies! You have so many great ideas and thoughts and your dedication to RN has been greatly appreciated. Thanks for your hard work! Happy NNRW! -Brandi H

Kellie Geres- Your efforts, hard work and dedication to RN is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for being the professional you are!  Happy NNRW -Brandi H

Marcia Brown Hall- You are an amazing nanny and mom. Thanks for being such a great example and for all of your efforts to continually educate us on how we can be better nannies. Happy NNRW! -Brandi H

 

Michigan Nannies: 

You guys are awesome!!! 

–April

 

Kris–

I know it is hard at times but you are a GREAT nanny and doing a wonderful job with the kids they love you!!!

April

 

Amber 

You are a great nanny to the boys and they love you for it!!!  

April

 

Bridget

Your little one is so excited to have you though she is not able to tell you yet.  You are a great nanny!!!

Thanks for being a wonderful friend!

April

 

Tracey– 

Thanks for being a wonderful friend!!

You are a wonderful nanny!!! 

April

 

Shannon

You are a great nanny!

Have a great week!!!

April

 

To all the wonderful nannies!!! 

YOU ROCK!!!

 

I would like to wish Myrna Alphonse Newman a very special National Nanny Recognition Week. It was Myrna who first introduced me to nanny conferences, the National Association of Nannies and a whole world of things about Nannies that I had never known. Without being led into this direction by Myrna I don’t know how long, if ever, it would have taken me to find out more about the PROFESSIONAL aspects of being a Nanny.

I love you Myrna. I am so glad we share being Godmothers to our special girls!

XOXOXO, Tracey

 

Sending special NNRW love to Glenda Propst. As a young Nanny with so much to learn, it was you and dear Harriett Grant who I held high on a Nanny pedestal. Attending NAN Conferences is what first got me fired up about being in this profession. It was learning from both you and Harriett that brought me this far in the industry. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for all that you do to encourage, educate, and support Nannies everywhere. The advice you have given me both professionally and personally has been greatly valued. Happy National Nanny Recognition Week 2012 Glenda…..and to Harriett, who I feel, is watching all of her Nannies from above. Tracey

Sending appreciation shout outs this NNRW to Lora Brawly. You give so much of yourself to the industry. The research, wisdom, and time you dedicate to helping Nannies become even better does not go unnoticed. You make me strive to become a better Nanny! Happy National Nanny Recognition Week Lora!

You rock!  Tracey

Sue Downey…..you are receiving a very Merry NNRW shout out! I am so proud of your growth during the years of knowing you. I have learned so much from watching you transition from a support group leader to heading Nannypalooza conferences! You give me something to aspire to, you set great examples for other Nannies, and you are consistently joyful while dedicating your hard work and time into what you do. I am so thankful to have you in my nanny world! 

Happy NNRW my friend!

Tracey Chipps

 

I would like to say a very Happy Nanny Appreciation week to a few girls who were there for me during my last few days with Max.

Karen Yatsko: Thank you for the multiple phone calls not only the last week of leaving Max but also for when I was sick to my stomach about giving my notice. Also for taking me out that last day with him. I am so thankful for all that you have done for me, and Lord knows it’s a lot.  I am so honored to be your friend! You are always there for me! I am so happy that we live close to each other for impromptu get-togethers.

Glenda Propst: Thank you so much for all of the advice and chats leading up to my last day with Max. I was an absolute wreck and you totally put me at ease with your advice. You talked me off the ledge of losing my mind. I will be forever grateful.

Michelle Conover: What can I say? You have not only been my mentor for 14 years but also my friend. I appreciate all of your advice you have given me through the years. I will cherish our friendship always.

Love,
Bridget

 

Karen (aka BFF) – thanks for all you do for those around you!  You are the best friend, sister, daughter, aunt, ‘mom’, and all around fantastic person.  My life is so much better because you’re in it! Here’s to more road trips, Bubba and Margaritas!  ~ Kellie

Deb Phiri – thank you for your friendship and keeping me sane in a crazy nanny world. ~ Kellie

Suzanne – thank you for putting up with me ‘camping’ and understanding why I don’t like the stairs!  You’re a great friend and nanny!  ~ Kellie

Alice – Thank you for three great years on Regarding Nannies.  Can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner! ~ Kellie

Glenda – Thank you for being a role model, mentor, friend and confidant to so many.  You’ve paved the way in this industry for so many and we’re blessed to have you as a sister nanny. ~ Kellie

Michelle – Thank you for the great parties on the Cape and for opening your home and heart to so many nannies.  ~ Kellie

ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies – Thank you for 28 years!  I love being just a member!  ~ Kellie

To All Nanny Support Group Leaders – Thank you for your leadership, time, talents and giving to your community of nannies!  ~ Kellie

 

Happy National Nanny Recognition Week 2012!  Feel free to share your message in our comment section to your favorite nanny!