Nanny McBridgee

Last night as I tossed and turned and realized just how much of an insomniac I am, I did what anyone would do in this predicament; turned on the TV in hopes that the lullaby of infommercials might put me back to sleep again. Only instead of infommercials, I watched "Nanny McPhee." And it startled my half-conscious self by the end of this particular movie that I saw much of me in Nanny Mcphee herself. Yes, I know, a wart-faced, nappy-haired Emma Thompson in a frumpy housedress is just the spitting image of Bridget Harman, right? Yet with all seriousness, it made me think about the differentiation between a "babysitter" and a "nanny," and the unique role I play in the lives of the children I look after on a daily basis.

Granted, I don't exactly live with my 30 year-old cousin and her children; by the same tolken, however, I've noticed that I have the opportunity to do more for these kids than simply make sure they don't burn the house down. In everyday situations in which multiple conflicts tend to arise, I suddenly feel an obligation not only to end each dispute on an individual basis, but to resolve them entirely through understandable versions of life lessons. Nanny McPhee has five of them:

1) They will learn how to say "please" and "thank you."
2) They will do as they are told.
3) They will learn to dress on their own.
4) They will learn to listen.
5) They will be prepared to face the consequences of one's actions.

By pointing out what they did wrong, explaining why it is not acceptable, identifying with how they feel to let them know you understand, showing them how to handle it correctly the next time around, and providing firm consequences that will be enforced if they fail to do so, steady progress can be seen. Trust me, there are some days that will make you wonder, but once you witness them actually learn from past mistakes and show you they are capable of even the tiniest thing on their own, pride swells inside you so much you think your ego's going to burst - because you taught them something that will play a part, however small, in making them a better person. And the thank-you that kids give is worth all the words in the world... because it's the kind that you can see in their smile. (Though I must admit that the victory dances and piggy-back ride rewards are pretty fun too.)

Just like that, the little goobers aren't the enemy anymore; our immaturity was. By realizing that, I've been able to turn a pathetic rivalry for power into a relationship governed by respect and maintained by affection and laughter. It is now that we have finally reached this point that the days before my job is done seem to draw closer at an increasingly alarming rate. Like Nanny McPhee would say: "I come when I am needed but not wanted, and leave when I am wanted but no longer needed." Take that, Dr. Phil!

I might just make a good mother yet... someday. Lord knows a blog entry reflection isn't enough to make that any time soon.