To Whom it May Concern

This one is going out to the Mama’s, the babysitters, the nannies, to the ones that care for kids all day long. Y’all have the hardest jobs in the world and if anyone tells you different, send them to me. I take care of kids for a living, it’s what I do and every day is different, with a new challenge that wasn’t there before. And I know firsthand how hard it is to care for a life that isn’t your own, to wear yourself out day after day for kids that don’t realize what you do and I know how you feel when others belittle you and act like what you do isn’t important or isn’t real work. I want all of y’all to know how appreciated you are.

To the stay at home Mom: I know you’re tired. I know that day after day of being as fully present as possible, changing diapers, cleaning up messes, drying tears, can get old and tiring and you’re wandering if there’s a point. You’re doing one of the most important jobs in the world of raising kids. You’re raising the future generations, the ones that will hopefully change the world. You’re doing the most thankless job in the world and I applaud you. I want you to know how appreciated you are for all that you sacrifice for your kids. You are seen, you are appreciated, you are loved.

To the working Mom: I know you feel like you’re not doing enough for your kids and family. I know you feel less than because you don’t get to be with your kids like others 24/7. I know you wish things were different, that you wish you could be at home taking care of your kids, your home, and that you weren’t at the office all day. Please know that you are also seen, loved, and appreciated. You’re doing extra work to provide for your family and then the work doesn’t stop as you head home to let the caregiver off, prepare dinner, and squeeze in some time with your kids before bedtime. You are going above and beyond for your family and I applaud you. If no one else tells you how important and appreciated you are for all you do, you are. You are seen, appreciated, prayed for, and loved.

To the single Mom: I know that you’re exhausted. I know that working all day to provide for your kids and not having a partner to help is beyond exhausted. I know that you feel like the world has given up on you or that Jesus is punishing you in some way, but He’s not. He’s given you the ultimate job and the utmost strength to do what you do, day in and day out. I know you feel looked over and forgotten, but you’re not. You are seen, loved, prayed for, and appreciated.

To the Mom’s who don’t look like Mom’s: I know you’re still a Mama. I know that although the world still sees you as childless, you know differently. You felt that life inside of you and then it was gone. I know you hurt, hide, and grieve in the stillness of your home, hiding yourself from the world because it hurts too much to talk about. I see you, I hurt with you, and I love you. God isn’t punishing you by not giving you the child that you prayed for. He’s not telling you that you’re unfit to be a mother. He’s not conspiring against you. He’s telling you, “Not yet, but trust Me.” Sweet friend, everything happens in His time. Not ours, but His. He gives and takes away, and although it may feel like your dreams of being pregnant and having a kid will never come true, I promise something good will come from this loss. I promise that you won’t be in your pit of sadness forever. God still sees you, still hears you, still loves you, and you’re still His no matter what.

To the Nannies, babysitters, and caregivers: You have such an important and hard job. You are taking care of children that aren’t yours, yet you love them like your own. You spend every day making sure these kids are fed, loved, and taken care of, while they’re parents are away doing the same. I know it’s exhausting. I know how insecure you can get when people look down on you after you tell them what you do. I know that everyone tells you that taking care of kids isn’t a “real job” but it is. You’re constantly looking out for the child’s safety and well being, you’re on high alert at all times because if anything happens to them while they’re in your care it’s all on you. I see you, I hear you, I am you.

♥

I know this may all seem really random and out of the blue, wanting to thank the Mama’s and the caregivers, but it’s been on my heart and mind for a while. I went from a full time dental assisting job to a full time nanny position. They are two very different jobs and I’ve been looked down upon ever since I lost that job. I know that a lot of people don’t agree with what my life looks like right now. I know that everyone wants something different for me, but I’m doing what I know to do. I’ve watched kids every day for the last week. I’ve had my regular nanny job Monday through Friday last week, then I did an overnight babysitting job Friday through Saturday afternoon, and then yesterday I had the boy I nanny during his nap time and then went straight to more child care at church last night. I love what I do but it’s exhausting. I don’t get a lot of time to myself, I’m not usually up to going out after work is over because I’m so tired, and once someone tells you that you’re good at what you do, they recommend you to their mom friends and you find yourself unable to say no and then this is your life.

Childcare is hard, no matter how much you do it. The work we do is real, the sacrifices we make are real, the belittling we get from others is real. But I’m here to tell you that I’m not going to continue to live my life and do my job feeling like what I do isn’t important. So to the Mama’s, nannies, caregivers, babysitters, I hear you, see you, and am you. You’ve got one of the hardest and most important jobs in the world. And although you spend your days feeling less than and under appreciated, the Lord put you where you are for a reason. He’s the provider of all and He’s provided you with the daily opportunity to raise up these little ones to be warriors for Him. Keep up the good work.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 ESV