I read this letter at the INA Nanny of the Year Luncheon during our 20th Annual Conference. It is a letter of appreciation addressed to all dedicated, professional nannies that attended the INA Conference. The author, Kirsten Burton is the employer of Tess Krier, the 2000 INA Nanny of the Year, and she would like nannies to know what a precious part of the family unit they are. Kirsten wrote:

Your purpose and work is worthy of the highest recognition as your profession is among the most valuable to us-the parents of a child. Choosing to put the single thing I care the most about, my child, in the hands of another person is among the scariest and most vulnerable feelings a parent can have. Choosing the right person for this is also a level of comfort that is indescribable. Further, to know that my child is being filled with the love of an additional person in their lives is truly a gift for them, and a wonderful feeling for us, the parents. Among our hectic schedules and in some cases mediocre management skills, there are likely thousands of completely unrecognized “thank you’s” that are hanging in the air, not delivered and not heard. Please know that this profession of yours may appear thankless for all the details and experiences that may go unnoticed. However, in our hearts and in the eyes of my child, we see all of them. Years from now, my child will know what it feels like to have been loved by others than their family members, to be patiently read to, to be shown perhaps a different solution to a problem, to feel the care of another member of this society. Please know the power of your work and the positive impact that a nanny has on the personal and physical growth of our future. It is a meaningful contribution to our world, and specifically to our families. For the extraordinary amount of emotion, work and time that you give to us, please accept the sincerest and most loving words of appreciation from us, the parents of these children. Thank you, so very much. --Kirsten Burton P.S. We hope you have a fabulous time at the conference. I would warn you all to turn off your cell phones and/or hotel room phones as you can bet that one of us will be calling in desperation for help...Where is her blanket? Where would I find the other tennis shoe? When is nap time? Why won't she listen to me? How did you get her to eat that? Most importantly, When are you coming HOME?!??