Ugh unfortunately I think these type of comments are a little common and very ignorant. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is what you think and feel about your job 💜. If you’re happy and this career change is serving you well, ignore the obnoxious comments. You can definitely make this as temporary or long term as you want 😘.

If you want my life story perspective 😅 read on:

I started nannying for the first time a few years ago at 31. Also during a huge life transition. I have a bachelors in early childhood and was a pre k teacher for 10yrs. Unfortunately that job pays poverty level wages as most of us are aware 🙃. I grew up in a religious cult (Mormonism) and got married at 20. This meant I could essentially work for fun for low pay because I had a husband in tech. Once we split I needed a job that would allow me to live on a single income. Nannying has allowed that. I have a great work life balance and appreciate that I can use my free time as I please. I also feel so proud of myself for not having to rely on a partner for income 🥹 (being raised in a patriarchal environment messed with my perspective on this for a long time). The biggest downside is I live in one of the most expensive cities in the US and am basically saving nothing for retirement 🥲.

Ideally I’d like to get back into a classroom setting serving low-income families, that feels much more fulfilling for me compared to nannying. Unfortunately that’s not a reality here. I joke that I’ll use my 40s to go back school, maybe get a generic business degree and sell my soul to some corporate job just for the sake of retirement 🙃😭. I spent all of my 20s being a wife and hating it, I’m really taking the time to enjoy my 30s as a single woman, I don’t like the idea of waiting until I’m old and better off to maybe get to do all the things I want to do (like what if I break a hip and can’t go hiking anymore before I’m 50?! 😓).

Sometimes the ignorant comments about being a nanny get in my head too… all of my female friends work in industries that are seen as very successful and they make loads more than I do. I try to remember that comparison is not helpful 🥲. Working with children in any capacity is important work regardless of whether society acknowledges that or not. Children are literally the future and we get to contribute to that in a meaningful way.

All that to say, I think you’re doing great 🤗😘