As a college student, Sarah Wegert was asked to babysit for a family during her spring break. Although it meant that Sarah would spend her spring break at home in Vail, Colorado, Sarah agreed to help the family who was visiting from Chicago. Sarah quickly bonded with the family and their three young girls, and was asked to nanny for the family for six weeks in the summer back at their home in Chicago. Because Sarah had family in Chicago, she felt comfortable accepting the job.
That summer, Sarah moved in with the family, who provided her with a car, mobile phone, gas, and spending money. Sarah’s day typically began around noon when she picked the children up from their activities. The young girls and Sarah would spend the remainder of the day together, riding bikes, going to the pool, or visiting museums in Chicago. Sarah was asked to rejoin the family the next summer, and she agreed. During her second summer with the family, Sarah joined them on their family vacation to Sydney, Australia for the Olympics. The family provided all accommodations and Olympic tickets for Sarah, and she helped watch the children during the trip.
Sarah enjoyed her experience the most because of the strong connection she made with the family. She said, “They made me feel a part of the family.” Sarah continues to speak with the family and visits them when she is in Chicago with her family. While she had never been a nanny before, Sarah felt prepared because of her many years of babysitting. According to Sarah, a good nanny must enjoy playing with children, be flexible, and feel comfortable working (maybe even living) with a family. Today, Sarah is a thirdgrade teacher in Colorado.
73 Working as a Nanny
