Touched by a Nanny: Cindy Wilkinson

Touched by Cindy Wilkinson

Submitted by :  Stephanie Felzenberg

When it comes to nannies there are only a handful of ladies I consider mentors, as true professionals, and as the type of caregiver I strive to be like. There are even less I would hire in a heartbeat to be my nanny if I were a mother.

From what I can tell, Cindy Wilkinson  is the perfect nanny.  She is passionate about her career and the children in her care. She gives 100 percent of her heart, time, love, and energy to those in her care.

Then, there is her music. Music can be inspirational and fun for anyone at any age, but especially for children. Her musical albums,
"Jumping Up to the Moon" and "Jumping Down the Road" http://www.cduniverse.com/sresult.asp?qs=m852360 are excellent and all of my charges love her interactive songs. But to see her in action -- singing with kids -- is magical. I emphasize she sings with children (not to them) because she gets them laughing, singing, jumping, and dancing.

As a nanny, Cindy is the best role model and mentor of a caring, professional, and passionate caregiver. Working as a nanny is truly her calling and she is an inspiration to other nannies. Any family would be lucky to have such a kind and loving caregiver as their nanny. I am lucky to call her my mentor and friend.
If your life has been touched by a special nanny, send your submission to
nannytransitions(at)gmail(dot)com

Touched by Donna Robinson

Touched by Donna Robinson

            Submitted by Kim Dillon

I am honored to share with the world, how a prized and precious Nanny has touched my life and career.

Enter “ Donna Robinson”… aka The Traveling Nanny, on behalf I write this loving blog/note.

I met Donna 14 years ago, at an INA Conference. Little did I know, the organization assigned Donna and I to speak together at the same workshop. Speaking engagements are not exactly my forte, and I was quick to share this with Donna Robinson.

However, being coupled with Donna in the same room blessed me beyond belief. We had an instant rapport with one another.

I clearly remember turning to her and saying, “You go first!” and she did.

As Donna spoke, with such enjoyable humor, and delivered the message amazingly, I knew I wanted her to be my nanny friend forever. I also learned something very valuable from Donna Robinson that day… “ Private Victories precedes Public Victories.”

Save me Donna, and she did!

This blog/note is about Donna Robinson, but it is about much more than that. As I chronicle the past 14 years, (and counting)

of friendship, mentoring, guidance, advisor, cheerleader, sisterhood and buddy, she is so much more. I am especially grateful to her.

A memory of light so many years ago… and today, a beaming light - beaming strong! Thank you Donna Robinson, for being one of my earth angels and guiding spirit. God sure knew what He was doing when He let us cross paths.

Your Texas Friend,

Miss Kimmie

              Kim Dillon
         babykeepers.com      

Touched by a Nanny Kim Dillon

Submitted by Donna Robinson

Touched by Kim Dillon

In 2001 I became the traveling nanny.  I had no idea what I was doing--just an idea. I found the INA annual conference for 2002 and living in Florida, I decided to attend.  Sasha of Nannies and More called and asked if I would co-workshop with Kim Dillon on Alternative Careers for Nannies.  I was pretty scared as only in business for 6 months but figured I would just follow Kim’s lead!  It seems my quiet shy Kim was expecting same of me.  She was one of the first of her kind to take newborn care on the road and became my mentor.

She did more than encourage as she gave me jobs when she had to leave and they still needed someone.  It was terrifying to follow a nanny everyone loved!  She encouraged me to believe in myself and she was always a phone call away if I needed advice.  After the job, she would call me with feedback from the clients.  She never failed to make me feel good about myself.  Through the years she was my best cheerleader and to this day she watches over me and tries to help if I need work.

Fourteen years of friendship would be enough to qualify for Touched by a Nanny. But in 2010 she gave love a new meaning.  We had lost our son to cancer and we were just trying to survive emotionally.  You know that "face" you put on for the world?  Kim looked right past that and into my soul.  She was busy and didn't often have time off but she made a 3 day weekend possible to travel from Houston to Austin to see us.  I didn't feel I could handle a visitor but Kim pretended not to hear and came to help us heal.  I consider that the turning point of surviving grief.  She held me, let me cry and then would say “we need to go get some barbeque" and forced Jim and I to go out.  She would even make us smile at a time when laughter was not possible.  Her last day she pulled me aside and said "we need to take Jim to a movie.  We will let him pick one of those action movies.”  She told him we were all going to the movies as a treat from her.    She would not let us pay.  By the time we said goodbye, I felt like a tiny chip of pain had been erased.  Jim is not easily touched but as he held me that day, he said “you have a great friend.  She didn't have to do that..”

I was not just Touched by a Nanny, I was Healed by the Touch of a Nanny.  I love you Miss Kim!