Thankful for Nanny

By Sarah Duggan on November 16, 2017

A few weeks ago Murphy went through a stage where she didn’t want to leave daycare and Nanny who cares for her and her sister when I arrived to pick her up after work. Typically I can redirect her gently enough that it doesn’t turn into a fight. I will entice her with seeing daddy at home, playing with her toys or even getting a special treat after dinner.

But one particular day she was especially disappointed to leave and go home. She moaned and groaned most of the ride home. Once we arrived at the house I pulled her onto my lap while sitting on couch and said, “Why don’t you want to come home with Mommy? I love you and miss you all day.”

She replied in a matter-of-fact tone well beyond her three years, “Mommy, I want to stay with Nanny. You need a new kid.”

A punch in the gut. Like I could just run to Target and pick out a new kid off the shelf and send my old kid to Nanny’s house.

Just as I was on the brink of tears, the thought crossed my mind. How lucky am I to have a safe place to send my children during the day to be cared for someone who truly loves them?

Murphy has since decided that staying with Mommy, Daddy and Eilish isn’t such a bad deal. But I am thankful, every day, for Nanny. Life is always changing.