Nanny Knows Best: Let it go!

Hello Friends!

As a nanny, I get the awesome privilege of helping to raise young minds and shape them into the great men and women they will become one day. Part of this honor includes being there for some of the great milestones. I may or may not have omitted that a first word or first step happened on my watch here and there (it’s not my parade...I’m only making sure the float stays on course ;-))

I recently had the opportunity to take my princess OBSESSED 3yr old NK to Disney on Ice. My amazing MB (mom boss) got two front row tickets! My NK (nanny kid aka “little love") and I got dressed up in our finest princess wear (tiaras and all) and headed for Philips arena. Neither of us had any idea of what to expect. I’m generally right under the nosebleed section and she had never been to any show/concert/performance ever! I was so honored to be a part of this special memory.

I must confess, I wanted so much to make the best memories with her, but I also wanted to capture every moment...every gasp, every smile, every jump for joy. Not only for her parents and grandparents that were missing out, but for her to look back on and remember.

Here’s the dilemma which I think many of us can relate to; when is it time to put the camera/phone down and actually be in the moment with your child/sister/mother/brother/father/friends etc.?

My main purpose for this outing with my little love was to create an AMAZING memory for her and admittedly, myself. I quickly realized though that the memories being made were of me asking her to “smile!” “say cheese!” and “just one more picture!!!!” Those clearly weren’t the memories I wanted to make.

When it comes down to it, I would rather enjoy the evening with her and risk the chance that it wouldn’t end up in her “all time greatest memories of being a 3yr old” than risk the chance that all she would remember of me is that I took a lot of pictures of her and I always had my phone in hand in case a great photo opp presented itself.

As hard as it was, I put my phone away and we had a great time singing along to the best of the best Disney classics...oh and a lot of Frozen too. The crowd went wild during all of the Frozen songs (it was rather reminiscent of a NKOTB concert in my more formative years.)

I’ve added a few pictures of the highlights. I want to protect the privacy of my little love so you will never see any pictures of her face or those of her two older brothers (all equal adorable in their own ways.)

Until next time, remember friends...being present is the best gift you can ever give!

Cheers!

-XOMA

Pre-princess gloves

The ENEMY! I’m very happy to say that she never once asked for a snow cone/cotton candy/vat of sugar even though the vendors were harassing us constantly before the show, running up and down the aisles promoting their towers of junk.