One Nanny’s Story...
By Stephanie Felzenberg

Within an hour of arriving in Las Vegas I attended a workshop presented by 2002 INA Nanny of the Year Marni Kent entitled, Nannies for the Long Haul: How to remain in a position for 5 years or longer. I learned enough in that mere hour-and-a-half to justify the cost and long trip from New Jersey to Las Vegas.

Not only did we learn about proper interviewing, negotiating, and effective communication techniques in this workshop, Marni also described signs of "burnout" and how nannies must make time to take care of themselves. I never considered that if I am irritable, it's likely that the perceived problem is not caused by my employer(s) or charge(s). It is easy to blame our problems on others. But, Marni explained that if I am tired or stressed-out this is a sign that I need to take better care of myself. She suggested many stress-reduction activities to keep us emotionally and physically healthy.

I have already added the certificate I earned from the eight hours of family protection, car safety, and personal safety training we received from Barry Wilson, President and Owner of Anlance Security and Anlance Protection, to my nanny portfolio.

Last year, Barry taught us how to carry our car key at all times to help protect ourselves against an attacker. When I found myself without the car key during the INA Conference, Barry taught me how to use a credit card key to deter a potential attacker as well. All attendees particularly liked the hands-on car safety tips he shared with us. He took us into the parking lot and shared great tips using a real van.

In the past safety has been a difficult issue to discuss with my employers. But now that I have completed Barry's training workshops, my employer wants ME to speak to her mother's group to share what I have learned.

Becky Kavanagh, former INA President and Glenda Durst, 1993 INA NOTY & Board Member presented a workshop called Home Schooling 101 which was much too short. Although my charges will attend public school in the future, the workshop provided me with many great resources and inspired me to be enthusiastic about teaching my charges. The presenters reminded me that the spark I see in the eyes of the children I care for when they learn something new, is all the inspiration I need to continue working as a nanny.

The first thing I did after returning from the 2005 INA Conference on Monday morning was to introduce a new game that Becky Kavanagh suggested in her workshop to use with our charges.

The next thing I did after arriving back at work on Monday morning was to give my charges the great T-shirts I purchased from an exhibitor, Deborah Smith owner of Parents With Nannies and 4EverythingNanny.com.

I also cannot thank the INA Nanny of the Year Selection Committee enough for volunteering their time to make being
nominated for the INA Nanny of the Year Award such a great experience. I loved preparing my portfolio, hearing all the kind words from attendees of the conference, and I loved receiving the unexpected gifts from the members of the INA. It is truly a great experience knowing that my former and current employers, and their children, appreciate my work as a nanny enough to nominate me for INA NOTY Award.

The 2005 INA Conference attendees came from all over the nation and world! I found that they are all great sources of inspiration, support, and friendship. More than anything, I appreciate the enthusiasm of both the nannies and business owners who attended the 2005 INA Conference. I arrived home inspired, enthusiastic, and proud to be the best nanny that I can be.

Stephanie Felzenberg is a Nanny, the Executive Editor of Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide, and the Newsletter Editor for International Nanny Association