This is a blog I have been working on for several months. I have decided to just post it and move on.. How Nanny Life is different from Motherhood? This has been a common question.. A little history for those
who don’t know I spent many years as a nanny the last few years working with
newborns (several sets of triplets) and as night time nanny. I have read lots of books and newborns didn’t
scare me. However, I was not a fool to think my own experience would be a walk
in the park.
The reason I left the nanny world was because I was noticing
it was harder to detach. I was not these babies mamma. I was a caregiver. I
felt chosen and important because these families trusted me. I worked with 5
triplet families and one little boy stole my heart and made me realize this job
was rewarding but I couldn’t keep walking away. His family knew we had a
special bond. Thanks to facebook memories and timehop I get the honor to
remember these children influence every day. So here are some differences..
-Most all my babies were formula fed babies. If I was called
in to help things were serious. Breastfeeding is exhausting. One of my mom’s
“B” tried to breastfeed but with triplets we mix the milk with formula.
-Pumping. I did not understand how time consuming and
exhausting it could be.
-Difference in poopy diapers. There is a big difference in
formula fed and breastfeeding. I don’t remember as many formula diapers in the
middle of the night.
-Developmentally. Charlie was full term (40 weeks) – Most of
my babies were not were full term and so they were little but, many times they
were in the hospital 4 weeks + before I started taking care of them. It’s
different. I spent Charlie’s 4th and 5th day just working
on him eating- babies in the hospital came home eating. Charlie did not.
-Middle of the night feedings were my absolute favorite with
one set of boys. Sometimes at night their dad would join me. It was peaceful
and such a special bonding time. I remember for years feeling guilty that moms
were missing out and I had stolen this precious time. As a new mom, middle of
the night is exhausting and I am not bonding like I did with others. Let’s face
it- I am tired and have been going all day. As a nanny I went home and slept
during the day.
-Bathtime. Charlie doesn’t love bath time. Most of the kids
I worked with loved bath time or so I remember. I wonder if I haven’t given him
enough time to love it. (note-he loves bath time now!)
-Detachment. As a nanny I had a job. To nurture and love the
baby (or babies) and to meet goals- such as sleeping through the night, weight
gain, family support et el. While my heart was there- there was a methodical
process to it all. Looking back I can admit that.
-Taking triplets anywhere was a major chore and very planned
out. From the get go- I had multiple doctor’s appointments and quickly, our
life had to go on. Charlie was out and about more than any child I ever cared
for.
1 baby vs babies-- Charlie doesn’t have to wait or share my
attention with another newborn.
Strength- During pregnancy you are treated like you are
disabled. Heck, by week 7 of pregnancy walking stairs raised my blood pressure.
Then you have this baby and you sleep less and suddenly you are carrying around
this (heavy) carrier and bending over to pick the baby all the time. And while
people dote on you during pregnancy – post pregnancy it’s all about the baby
and you have to suck it up buttercup. As a nanny you never lose your strength.
And Post-partum Recovery- to be honest I may never heal from
giving birth/c section recovery. My hips are wider-my brain is mush. I think
about my lil boy often. When I see him after nap or after running errands he
smiles so big- I am his mamma and my heart is over joyed with that title.
