The Inevitable Nanny Heartbreak

We don’t like to think about the moment our nanny families will no longer need us. Moves, career changes, children growing up, eventually we need to move on. I’ve been thinking about it lately. My former bosses will text me updates with pictures attached and my heart swells with love and a pang of pain for the babies I helped raise and no longer see daily. How is it that we as nannies put ourselves through the same cycle over and over again? We know how the story ends every time. Tears and goodbyes are inevitable. The only answer I have is that the same babies that cause our heartbreak, are the same Littles that heal them.

My hardest day as a nanny was a day I was “off-duty.” My last nanny family was moving to another state for a great opportunity for Mom. I came in to help and entertain my 3 year old NK and his baby sister while they packed away the last of their belongings. He brought out his new tiny violin he was taking lessons for and showed off some new skills. I clapped my hands and held back the tears so he couldn’t see my heart breaking. I helped my bosses assemble some new car seat covers for their vehicle. I played with their dog that I had grown to really love. I squeezed my youngest nanny baby knowing it would be the last time. And I knew that I had no idea when or if I will ever see them again. They are on a path that will send them around the world for their careers and I’m just hoping our paths might cross again. I left that day and swore, “never again.” And I sent in my application to teach Spanish again at a local school. My heart isn’t in teaching large groups of children. I love the more personal aspect of being a nanny and I made the decision to take my next position with my current little ones. So eventually I’ll have another “last” day. I’ll kiss J&E goodbye and know that this chapter of my life is over. I will polish my resume up and update it as necessary. The interview process will be filled with excitement and nerves. And then I will hold another little hand and fall in love again with something I can’t keep. I will go in prepared for the inevitable heartbreak that will come, and know they are the reason all of us return.  

-Valerie