I am a 40-something-year-old fully qualified Nanny and have looked after children as a Nanny for over 14 years. This was my dream job, one I gave my all to and never hated going into for even a day. Over the course of 14 years, I cared for the children of 3 families full-time, seeing those children grow from babies to young adults.
This was a job I loved so much that I returned to when Emmy was just 3 months old, she came to work with me, which worked perfectly as she had built-in playmates. Find lots of top tips in my popular blog series – Top Tips From a Former Nanny, where I share lots of the knowledge gained from my job.
I left my very last family when Emmy was around a year old and co-owned a nanny/babysitting agency with my former boss.
After having Harry, I didn’t return; owning that type of business didn’t fit in with 2 young children. I am still my own boss, however, and am now self-employed as a blogger and freelance writer.
Two years ago, I took on outside work as a self-employed cleaner when Harry started secondary school. I missed the social element of the school runs, and for my own sanity, I had to leave the house to talk to actual people outside of a computer screen and to get my arse off of the sofa and my head out of the fridge.
I have since given this up because my Mum had a very bad accident at the end of 2024, falling from the train platform onto the train tracks. This accident left her disabled and changed all our lives, as due to this accident, she was diagnosed with lung cancer during her scans in the hospital. She has had her cancer removed now, yet sadly, the injuries sustained from her fall have left her unable to ever regain the independence and freedom she once enjoyed and loved. She suffered spinal fractures, a sternum fracture, which weren’t found until after she had left the hospital.
I was already a career for my disabled Dad, and now I am a career for my Mum too.
Last year, life changed again for the children and me, and we became a family of 3, moved home and are navigating a new norm.
Emmy (aged 16) is fun, bubbly, bright and FULL of energy. She loves everything and is always happy, laughing, and joking.
Once she enjoyed being as loud as possible, but now she is rather shy and quiet, but is the kindest and most caring young lady you could ever meet.
She can most often be found in hiding in her bedroom, WhatsApping her friends, chatting to large groups of them on call as loudly as possible or glued to TikTok – a pretty typical teenager, really!
She is in year 11 at school and hates it – well, she says she does, but she is doing brilliantly, so it can’t be all bad.
Since moving away from the only family home she had known, she has found herself again, stopped hiding in her room, and loves life to the full, socialising with friends, venturing further afield, and has been offered 3 conditional offers for college courses for after her GCSE’s are finished this year, these are for T-levels in Childcare at 2 seperate colleges, and a Professional cookery course. She is also awaiting a response from another college regarding a different professional cookery course.
Harry
Harry (aged 13) is far too like his sister. He learnt to climb at an early age, runs everywhere and is into EVERYTHING.
You need eyes in the back of your head with him.
His all-time favourite things are LEGO, Pokémon and Minecraft, and just recently, since moving home, he is loving chatting online and gaming with his friends.
He loves anything he isn’t allowed and kicks up a complete fuss when he can’t have it.
Very independent from a very young age – he certainly keeps me on my toes. He is now in year 8, and if you ask him, he’ll say he hates school – he does, however, love it, has lots of friends, and is kind and considerate, making sure they always have someone to play with. His teacher says he is happy to play with everyone.
He is the kindest boy I’ve ever met who always likes to hug, kiss, and please everyone.
Aww lovely family pic Clare
You have a beautiful family. I am a new reader. Glad to meet you. #pocolo
Lovely Post Clare, think i will do one too x