Sitters and Semantics

I struggle to find the right word to define our childcare providers. I tend to lean toward childcare provider to give more credibility and professionalism to what they do, but sitter is a lot shorter. With the amount of time they spend in our home, nanny is also an appropriate word. The reality is they are an extension of our family.

We've been blessed with a number of amazing caregivers for our children in years past (Ms. Jenny, Miss Kaitlyn and Miss Melanie), but our reliance on and appreciation for our current two is at another level. Some of that may be the result of the pandemic and the need for tighter circles, but Miss Sigrid and Miss Bri are both incredible young ladies.

They take our crazy chaos and roll with it. They know that sometimes I'm more excited to see them when they arrive than the boys are because they ease our stress. We know the boys are completely cared for and in good hands, despite that occasional text that Teddy swallowed a nerf gun tip or fell down the stairs. (That happens with us, too!) They have done countless library or school pickups to save us trips and time out of our work days. 

We joke that Sigrid is our oldest child, so she joined family photos.

They spend countless hours playing imaginary with AJ and working through his moments of frustration when things don't go as planned. (That boy takes after me in that regard, and unfortunately life doesn't go as planned.) They encourage his creativity, help him with his handwriting and engage him in physical activity while making it fun (Wiii sports or games chasing around the house).  

They shuttle Teddy to every appointment and actively work with him through therapy sessions and then report back to us what to work on at home. They even update his "school" list with new things to work on. They are his primary teachers this year, working on all his academic skills at home through the course of their play and some intentional school work time. They give Teddy his medications and both know how to respond should he have a seizure. 

This was in 2019 when Ms. Bri made a Packers bike ride possible. 

With the weirdness of COVID, they've shared countless meals with our family and spent nights in our spare room to assist the next day (or to avoid their roommates in quarantine). We all enjoy each other's company during the meals, and another set of hands minimizes the risk of Teddy running off with a knife or something else dangerous or messy. They walk the line between playing with the boys and serving as an outlet for adult conversation for us. 

The sound of Ms. Bri's laughter always makes me smile because I know how much fun they're having. Ms. Sigrid has hauled Teddy on bike rides throughout the summer, with AJ pedaling along side her. They've done nature walks, hikes and road trips. They've joined us for holidays and family photos. 

They have made the pandemic better in so many ways, in all our interactions, their creativity, their safety awareness and their positive attitudes. They have made the pandemic possible by working the hours they do to allow us to continue working. 

When we count our blessings, Ms. Bri and Ms. Sigrid are near the top. For Christmas, Ms. Sigrid gifted us with a photo of her and the boys, so we don't forget her while she's gone student teaching ... as if that's possible. These ladies will forever be welcome in our home.