From DC with Love: Jack.

About a year and a half ago, I was stuck in that awful period where I was doing a couple temp jobs but did not have consistent work. I had been out of school for about 7 months and was getting more and more frustrated that I didn't have a job. I had moved up to Arlington and was almost out of savings to pay my high rent and utilities. "Panic" is probably the best word to describe my daily life at this time... Anyway, my family was in California for Gavyn's baby blessing and my dad suggested that maybe I consider nannying. I hadn't really thought about it because I wanted a "real" job-but of course, there were hardly any openings and if there were, they were going to people who had 3-5 years experience. A couple months later, I became a part-time nanny for a cute family with a 4 year old girl and 1 year old twin boys. I also had another part-time job working for an electric vehicle association in DC so I was pretty busy, but I loved the days where I got to go to my nanny job.

Fast forward to June 2012. I was expecting to be offered a full-time position at my job downtown but I had to be let go completely because the budget was being cut. And my nanny job had ended a week earlier, so now I was back to having nothing. In August I interviewed to be a full-time nanny for a cute family with an 8-month old boy (and massive but sweet 8-year old yellow lab), and started working for them the next month.

I love my job. I'll never forget a couple months ago-I came to work and it was the first time Jack had ever smiled and held out his arms for me when I arrived. There have been a lot of times where it has been really difficult, but recently I have really enjoyed watching Jack grow up. It is so fulfulling to watch him explore the world and take risks and learn how to do new things. It's also nice to have a flexible job-since my mom lives so close she's able to meet us sometimes for lunch or at the park. AND-now that its summer, we have been able to do a LOT more. Also-he's just the cutest.