To Be A Mom

I am a nanny, I am not a mom. I am a nanny, I am not a mom. I am a nanny, I am not a mom.
Seems no matter how often I say that, the fact of the matter is this: I am raising those kids just as much as their mom is.
Plus the fact that Eva is firmly convinced that she has two moms. One is called Mama, and the other is called Nicki.
It's a hard job to be a mom to kids without actually being a mom. Raising them, without having the final say in how their raised. Disciplining them without being able to put your own limits on discipline. And even when you can discipline in your own way, if the parents aren't doing it the same way, you have to start all over again after each weekend.

Life Lesson #4: Kids do not respond well to inconsistent discipline.

Now, of course, there are many things that are vastly different between being a mother and being a nanny. Most obvious would be the fact that mothers don't get paid. Also, mother's do not get to leave every evening and weekend.
On the other hand, I don't exactly love walking out the door each evening watching Eva toddle after me in tears, arms outstretched, heartbroken that I have to leave once again. And I get excited each Tuesday morning when I'm on my way to work, knowing that the kids wait for me and will greet me gleefully, so happy that I've returned to spend time with them.

Being a nanny is not an easy job. It's rewarding, sure, but it sometimes feels a bit wasted. After pouring years of my life into these kid's lives, one day, I'll say goodbye for the last time, and walk out of their lives. Even if we stay in touch, it'll be more of a holiday relationship; A birthday card here and there and maybe a vague memory of "oh yeah, she used to play with us."

But..... I still love my job. :)