Nanny No More

I am a nanny for several different families. I've sat for many different types and ages of kids and have been in all sorts of sticky situations. When I found out I was pregnant, I decided to keep my two nannying jobs as well as my new job at the spa and my 22 hour a week internship. Besides being incredibly draining (especially after going from an eight hour internship directly to nannying for four hours), and some whiny kids, it was okay. Until yesterday. 

I won't get into to the details, but basically, for the second time in the last three weeks, I was hit intentionally by a child (under the age of 10) in my abdomen region. The first time it didn't hurt and wasn't really a "punch" per se. The second time was with the sole of my pretty hefty Ugg boot, and this time, it hurt. I was extremely upset to say the least. While I (thankfully) only had temporary pain and no additional pain, cramping, or bleeding, I still called the on-call doctor at my ob/gyn who suggested I come in today for additional reassurance. I went in today for a check up and listened to our little bean's heartbeat. All sounds good, and everyone is doing fine.

This incident, however, reminded me of my limits. Despite what I might want to do, there are things that I just can't physically (or even emotionally) do now that I'm pregnant. I realized that I can't work 12 or 14 hour days, as much as I might want to or want the money. I am too tired, and I get too dehydrated and hungry. I end up coming home and crying out of sheer exhaustion. I will be the first to admit that I am stubborn sometimes, but I'm also not good at advocating for myself and stating what I need. But it's so much more important now. I'm not just advocating for myself. I'm advocating for our baby, too. He or she needs me to rest and take care of myself. I can't be afraid to stand up for myself and ask for what I need. There's nothing wrong with that. If it costs me a job, I'll have to find another one. But I've decided that there will be no more nannying. I don't care how much it "inconveniences" the parents. Find someone else. I'm hanging up my nannying hat for good.