For more than a decade, caring for children was my profession. Then I became a mother myself, and I discovered just how much there was still to learn.
Before having my daughter, I had cared for newborns, navigated toddlerhood, helped families establish routines, supported developmental milestones, and experienced countless firsts alongside the children in my care.
I felt prepared for motherhood.
And in many ways, my experience absolutely helped. I wasn't learning everything from scratch. I understood babies, children, and the rhythms of family life.
But there was one thing I couldn't have learned on the job: what it feels like when it's your own child.
The mental load. The constant thinking ahead. The way your identity shifts. The responsibility that doesn't turn off when your workday ends.
I could hand a baby back to their parents at the end of my nanny day. As a mom, I became the parent who was still thinking about everything long after the day was over.
Understanding childcare from both sides
This transition is something I had the opportunity to discuss in DFWChild's DFWBaby 2026 magazine, in an article about matrescence — the transition into motherhood and the many ways it reshapes a woman's identity.
One of the biggest takeaways for me is that professional childcare experience and personal parenting experience are both valuable, but they aren't interchangeable.
Being a nanny taught me how to care for children and support families professionally. Becoming a mom helped me understand the emotional experience of being the parent on the other side of that relationship.
I now see certain nanny-family dynamics differently. I understand why communication matters so much, why trust takes time, and why even seemingly small decisions can carry a lot of weight for parents.
I also have an even greater appreciation for the work nannies do.
Why I'm sharing my perspective
The Joyful Nanny grew out of my years working in private homes and my desire to help nannies navigate their careers with more confidence, clarity, and professionalism.
Now, as a mom, I bring another perspective to those conversations.
I want to talk honestly about the realities of nannying, the challenges of working in someone's home, the importance of healthy boundaries, and the relationships that make great childcare possible.
I also want to share what I've learned about motherhood, because I believe understanding both perspectives can make the nanny-family relationship better for everyone.
I'm not here to suggest that every nanny needs to become a parent to understand families, or that every parent needs to have been a nanny to appreciate their caregiver.
I'm here because I've experienced both sides, and I believe there's value in sharing what each has taught me.
If you're a nanny looking for practical guidance, confidence, and tools to navigate your career, I'd love to have you in my community.
Explore The Joyful Nanny and join my email list for practical resources and encouragement: thejoyfulnanny.com
Originally featured in DFWChild's DFWBaby 2026: What Is Matrescence? Why Becoming a Mom Changes So Much.
