Living & Working in Great Places
A day in the life of a Nanny in Hawaii
Photo taken about 8:45am at Hapuna Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii on 7/11/08
I've been a nanny here in Hawaii for a couple months and, though it was an adjustment, I've got the routine down pretty well now. I woke up that morning in time to grab a cup of coffee and wave goodbye to my two year old charge and his Mom as they went out the door to school. I threw on my bathing suit and packed my beach bag with some major SPF and I was out the door. The drive to Hapuna beach is about 25 minutes from where I live and I usually spend the commute with the windows down blasting terrible pop music I secretly enjoy. I got to the beach early enough to beat the crowds and set up my folding chair in a prime spot. The following few hours are spent applying and reapplying my coconut scented sunscreen (I'm still trying to ease my northern skin into this harsh tropical sunshine), snorkeling a bit, and catching up on some reading.
I pack up just in time to drive back into town (the same awful pop music blasting away) and pick up my adorable buddy from school. After I try to understand what he's telling me about his morning, he drifts off in his car seat before we get home and sleeps for a good two hours after that. The only real work I do this morning is trying to lug his chubby sleeping body inside the house without disturbing him.
I actually enjoy playing house while he sleeps and I mop the floors, fold laundry, and try to sneak in a rerun of Gilmore Girls. After he wakes up bright eyed and bushy tailed, I decide it's time to finally put some pizzaz into that empty cardboard box leftover from the new washing machine. With just some duct tape, a bedsheet, and a collabrative effort, we are able to create a pretty realistic toddler sized house. Complete with a welcome mat and a Thomas the Train mural.
We go for a trycycle ride outside and I try to keep him from petting the flea ridden "kitty cats" we have wandering around the neighborhood. All the neighborhood kids are out playing basketball and they ooh and ahh over my irrisistable little buddy. Then it's back inside to cook some dinner (baked potatoes by microwave, I'm not sure if that qualifies as cooking). By the time his Mother gets home, I'm ready for some more "me time" so I head to the gym, which is small but includes a cable television attatched to each cardio machine. I leave the gym as the sky is darkening and I enjoy the feel of the humid summer air on my skin. In the next building over I can hear the sounds of the community theatre cast rehearsing for their upcoming production of "The King and I". I head home with that pop music I love pulsing into the night, a satisfied smile on my sunburnt face.
Oh yeah...I think I could get used to this whole nanny gig. :)
Add a Comment
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Comment by Stephanie on February 2, 2009 at 11:18am - sooo how did you find this nannying job! :) congrats it sounds amazing
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Comment by Dallas on January 30, 2009 at 3:56pm - Sounds like your having a lot of fun! I recognized that picture right away! I used to live right off Palani Rd. on the Big Island and I would always go to Hapuna or Kua Bay. Have you ever been to the place of refuge? Locals around there call it two step and its a great spot to go snorkeling.
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Comment by Nancy on July 16, 2008 at 2:53pm - Wow, you're really lucky to have such a fun job. So far, I've worked in two seasonal positions, both out in Wyoming (I'm from Ohio), it was an amazing experiance. Now I'm thinking about traveling somewhere new and Hawaii has always been one of the places I'd love to see, do you have any advice about finding employment there? Thanks! -Nancy-
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Comment by TriMoot on July 15, 2008 at 5:40pm -
I agree with Jeff & Suzi! NOT FAIR!!!! I WANT YOUR JOB!
Oh wait...Did you say you take care of a "kid"? No thanks...been there, done that. Congrats!
Dad
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Comment by Cathy on July 15, 2008 at 12:59pm - Congrats and very nice! My daughter is also a nanny in Tampa,Fl. and really enjoys it. Her newest addition with a family is a 6 week old baby girl!
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Comment by jeff & suzi on July 15, 2008 at 10:20am - that is "oh so not fair"...lol.lol.....congrats and enjoy.....
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