Adventure Nannies On Air
The team behind Adventure Nannies is joined by industry experts and dear friends to share anecdotes and resources for nannies, childcare providers, and families. Adventure Nannies is a nationwide agency that helps humans find the support and tools they need to build their dream lives. They have been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, and Marie Claire and are well-known in the industry as being progressive innovators and advocates.
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Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and information expressed by the gu in this session are solely their own and do not represent those of Adventure Nannies. Adventure Nannies does not verify the accuracy of the information presented and is not liable for any errors, omissions, or for any actions taken in reliance on this content. This session is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Adventure Nannies On Air
From Nanny to Nanny of the Year & Industry Leader | Summit Session | Brittany Joy Drew
In this episode of 'Adventure Nannies on Air,' recorded live during our summit sessions, join Reagan Fulton, Marketing Director for Adventure Nannies, and special guest Brittany Drew, the 2025 INA Nanny of the Year. Discover Brittany's inspiring journey from a medical physics graduate student to an award-winning nanny, newborn care specialist, holistic sleep consultant, and agency owner. Brittany shares valuable tips on professionalism, the importance of contracts, continuing education, and the need for industry standards. Whether you're a new or seasoned nanny, tune in to elevate your career and learn how advocacy and community can make a lasting impact in the childcare industry.
Connect With Brittany
https://www.brittanyjoydrew.com/
Visit the INA at
https://www.nanny.org
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and information expressed by the guest in this session are solely their own and do not represent those of Adventure Nannies. Adventure Nannies does not verify the accuracy of the information presented and is not liable for any errors, omissions, or for any actions taken in reliance on this content. This session is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
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Welcome to Adventure Nannies On Air. Today's episode was recorded live during one of our Summit Sessions as a part of our free ongoing educational webinar series to support nannies and professional child care providers to elevate their careers and enhance their skills. If you like what you hear, you can catch the full episode on our YouTube channel or register for our next Summit Session at adventurenanniescom slash summit dash sessions. Welcome to tonight's summit session. My name is Regan Fulton and I am the marketing director for Adventure Nannies.
Speaker 1:I am so excited to have our guest tonight Brittany Drew. She is the 2025 INA Nanny of the Year and she is not only an award-winning nanny, but she's also a certified newborn care specialist, a holistic sleep consultant, an agency owner and the founder of the United Nanny Society. With over 12 years in the industry, Brittany brings a wealth of experience as a nationally recognized leader in the child care field and I am so excited to have her here today to talk to us about her journey and give us some tips and just tell us all about it, Welcome. So your journey to becoming the 2025 INA Nanny of the Year is really inspiring. Could you share some of just a brief rundown of key moments, Because I know you can't give a whole 12-year career in even 60 minutes, but just a few minutes of the key moments and decisions in your career that kind of brought you to this moment.
Speaker 2:I would say one of the biggest moments was just deciding to be in this career. So I was in grad school doing medical physics nothing to do with nanny and really just couldn't give up my job with kids when I had to. And I kind of just progressed on to the point where I had to make a decision and I said, okay, well, I do this, I like doing this, and try it. And then two weeks later I unenrolled in grad school and started my career. So that's the biggest key moment. But I would really say, besides that, that there really isn't big key moments. It's more of just showing up every day, when those days are hard, just continuing.
Speaker 2:It's a hard career. It's a hard career with each other. It's a hard career to the world and showing that it is a career. So those days when people kick you down and say this isn't real, well, you're babysitting You're like, no, I'm not, like I'm doing a career, and you get up and you go and you do your job. Yeah, that's one of my biggest. It's not really one key moment, it's just every day showing back up, every single day. That is amazing.
Speaker 1:So you were in grad school. How did you, how did you start nanny? And then, if you were in grad school, were you doing a part time? Tell us the story.
Speaker 2:I worked in the YMCA in every single department except for aquatics because I cannot lifeguard, but besides that I worked every department. I always wanted to do that. And then I always wanted to do engineering and medical stuff to work with kids with cancer and pediatric cancer, to do medical equipment for them and design those. So I got my degree in physics and then I went to grad school for medical physics, because you can do all the radiation stuff and I wanted to focus on pediatric oncology and stuff like that. But then basically they were like well, we have to do residencies. And I was like, well, no, I know I'm at Georgia Tech, but I picked the one camp on campus that's recreational and so we actually do fun things with the kids and I was directing that.
Speaker 2:It took me one summer for them to get special permission from the school to let me be an assistant director, which you can't do unless you are out of school. But I got that special permission because of my experience. And basically from there they're like, well, you either do residencies and do all that thing, but we can't guarantee you with pediatrics or you're done. And I was like, well, then I'm done, because I want to guarantee that I'm with pediatric. I didn't want to ever have a chance of having a career where I'm not interacting with children daily. So I already was part-time meaning and full-time meaning too, and I tried going for teaching, but I had some politics with that. So I really just took one summer and said, if I like this, then I'm going to keep doing this and that's what I'm going to do. And I said two weeks into that summer I was like this is what I want to do. I've been unenrolled in everything and then haven't looked back since.
Speaker 1:That's so amazing. You are representing the questions of professionalism. What does representing this professional career mean to you, both personally and professionally, and how do you take that just in your career, but your day to day life? And what does it mean to you to represent professional nannying as industry?
Speaker 2:I think it's a huge honor. First of all, it's crazy. Even though I found out in March, I still sometimes I have my awards on my coffee table, so I look at it every day and I'll even walk up like, oh yeah, I have that. It's just crazy. It's so honoring and humbling and it just feels great to know that people entrusted me enough to represent the industry. I think it's really important. I love that I can do it and I think that on a professional level, it's just we need people that are gonna represent everyone. I wanna make sure that I'm representing nannies and families, agencies, associations, everyone fairly.
Speaker 1:That is amazing. You're such a strong advocate for professionalism in child care. So what are some of the fundamental aspects of professionalism like contracts, I know are a big passion of yours what can you run us through a couple of those fundamental aspects of what really sets a professional nanny apart from someone either who's just dabbling or a babysitter? What does that professionalism really mean to you?
Speaker 2:The biggest thing is seriousness. You're walking into a home wanting to make a difference. You're not just walking in to get through the day and survive the day. You're walking in to shape a young child's mind. Even if that child is a day old, you're still shaping them into the person they're going to be and those things that happen that young do affect people into adulthood. You're walking into it wanting to shape people, not just, as I said, survive the day. You're going through and you are acting professionally. You're doing continuing education. You're saying, okay, you're trying to sit up, let's do some sensory things to get you to sit up. Like you're doing all these things and inspiring creativity in the children and really trying to shape them into adults, versus just being there and getting through.
Speaker 1:That is such a key because you said, not just getting there to get through the day, but truly having that impact every day. There's all these little things that can, but that really is what sets it apart and a great caregiver. So for nannies who are looking to build more long-term, successful careers, what advice do you have for them on goal setting and growth within the industry?
Speaker 2:Two parts of that. One, networking. I mean you need to know people. You only know as much information as you can know, so the more people that you have in your circle, the more information knowledge. Everyone can dabble in certain niches. Everyone sees different things on the internet, as we see. Everyone's TikTok feed is different based on what they're looking at. It's so important to involve and network people to have all that kind of information at your fingertips, as well as just continue education.
Speaker 2:You don't know what you don't know. So if they're let's say you're going through and your nanny child is, they're not sleeping very well, they're not doing very well Look up some courses for you and your nanny child is they're not sleeping very well, they're not doing very well. Look up some courses for you and your nanny family to take that can help improve that. Even if you can't afford courses or conferences yet, just go and find free trainings. There are so many out there that are free. It's ridiculous. There are so so many ones. I can't afford training and look, here's a big, long list of free ones. Pick them, just go start doing them. So yeah, just continuing education is a huge one of being able to set yourself up for success because you're going to need more and more knowledge as kids get older and as you go from family to family. Not every family is the same, so having more knowledge in your back pocket is going to be better to be able to adapt better, to not only help your career but also help the kids.
Speaker 1:That is such a great tip about. Every family is different, so what's something you might need to learn for one family you might never need again. But you also might benefit your career in the long run and be able to say, yeah, I've got experience with that, yeah, I took that course. Not only does it benefit your current career, but also, long term, really allows you to grow your experience to help you have more career opportunities in the future. You mentioned a list of freebies Do you have? Is that a real list that you have, or is this I can make a real list?
Speaker 2:I'm not putting any more work on you, I just didn't know if it was already a real list. I have one for my agency. I require a lot from my nannies. They do have to all take the free water safety training from the Red Cross. They have to take the free safe sleep training from Crib for Kids I think is what it is If they work with infants. They take the free mandatory reporter training from their state because that's so important. We all hope that none of our nanny families obviously are harming. But you never know teachers or if they go to daycare. You want to know those signs and symptoms. That's a huge one. I always get my nannies take that's free. They take free transportation safety. I know ProSolutions has the free health and safety orientation. It's 10 hours of stuff.
Speaker 2:Some states if you go on ProSolutions they have different free ones depending on what state you're in. You always can make different accounts and say you're in different states to get those free ones. Some states are paid, some states are not. So make some burner emails and do that. I've done that just to get the free version of it. I know there's all the major free ones. I know ProSolutions is big for the free ones. And then stuff like the associations. If you are part of INA or any association, they usually have the webinars. If you're a member they're free, so joining those are great. Again, you're paying it for your membership, so you might as well do it. I'll say you're in a free webinar right now.
Speaker 1:That was a great list, because that was going to be my follow-up. If it doesn't exist, what are your favorites? And so that was an amazing list. We'll make sure that we grab all of the links to those free things and put them in the show notes so everybody can check them out. But that's an awesome list and I didn't realize that mandated reporter training was free in most states.
Speaker 2:Honestly, it takes a little bit of digging. So, like for Georgia, it's right. On ProSolutions, it's free, and then, I believe, alabama Pro Solutions too, it's free. But, like Pennsylvania, you actually have to do a little bit of digging. That's actually the University of Pittsburgh that goes through them and it's free. So it might take a little bit of digging to find it in your state, but there usually is either a college or a company that offers it for free.
Speaker 1:That is amazing, incredible tip. Definitely putting that in my back pocket. So a lot of your work really creates awareness and industry standards and protect all sides of the industry. That's something that I love and you know obviously I've been a nanny a few well, not obviously you know this, but our audience might not. My background is I was a nanny, I am a mom and now I work for Adventure Nanny. So I've been in all different roles as well and so I love so much personally. You know that you really focus and you know the standards and all of the sides and protections for all. But can you elaborate just a little bit on what those standards really entail and why they're so important for both nannies and families when they're going through an employment agreement or when they're having an employment relationship?
Speaker 2:Yeah, first one is a contract that's. I mean, that should be a standard. Many people don't have them. I have a free one. I know Nandy Council has a free one. There's other free ones online. And then you had the A to Z one that's paid. There's so many resources for it and I definitely suggest you get them all in full from them.
Speaker 2:I always say to anyone listening if there's a section you want, text me or email me, I will make it. I'll have my lawyer look at it and I'll put it in. Always welcome to do that. I've had some venues do that before. Hey, I want this. I'm like cool, okay, give me like a week to write it up and we'll get it on there. I want to make sure it's something that people have. Having that contract.
Speaker 2:It's going to be some people don't realize it how difficult this industry is because, yes, you're taking care of a child, but you have to love someone else's child. That is so difficult to do because they are not yours, so you're going to get burned out quickly. So having that vacation already and having that sick time so you can recoup and recover are so important. And other stuff that I think that are super important is as nannies we get background checked. So I do background check all the families that come through my agency long term if I've worked with them personally, they're getting background check for the safety of the nannies and the babysitters I send into their home because you never know what's happened, just like on the other side they want to protect their children. So we background check nannies and I think you just need to be fair. I am working on rolling out references. References are huge and a huge standard. Make sure you have those references. Same with families. If you've had caregivers, have them be a reference.
Speaker 2:I think a lot of the standards come down to just being fair and I think a big one too, for a standard is, of course, like your CPR, and I would love for all the free trainings that are required to be a standard. They're not, but I think it should be. I think you know a daycare worker and a teacher have to take mandated reporting. Why don't nannies we are literally even more so in a child's life to look for those signs and symptoms. Why is it not a requirement that we're trained in mandated reporting? Hopefully we never have to use it, but you never know and you'd be surprised. A number of caregivers that are like, hey, I see this symptom, what's going on? And then the area builder they don't know how to report it. So definitely, stuff like that, reporting, I think should be a standard, even though it's not.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. I was saying I've been through the training, but it was from a completely different job. I was working with disabled adults and so I had to do it through that. Yeah, that is incredible and I love that so much. Besides just professionalism and these standards, what are your goals for your platform, both as Nanny of the Year this year, but also moving forward from that, both for the INA as an organization, but also the larger community? What are your goals for this year and for your future in the industry?
Speaker 2:My biggest thing is advocacy. It truly is. I have such a strong passion for making things fair and making things right for everyone and making sure everyone's happy. I just love advocating, helping people and especially, I do love my passion for children, and that comes from making sure like caregivers are okay, are having their trainings, are not getting burnt down on their vacation and having a good working relationship. Kids can only thrive when their caregivers are thriving. So definitely using this platform to educate more people, families and nannies both, because there's a large number of nannies that don't know that they can ask for vacation, that unquote deserve that. And I'm like yeah, you do. Like this is your job, this is your career, like you deserve vacation too, and they're like wow really and take your vacation, work for those things.
Speaker 2:and advocacy um, I would love to do more stuff like these, like the webinars I'm really trying to do every month to bring awareness on different topics. Contracts, like you mentioned, are a big thing for me. I'm all about being legal and having rules and everything discussed ahead of time. It just makes for such an easier employment relationship if you talk about things first and then you can say, hey, like we did talk about this, so this is what's going to happen, versus realizing later on that you don't agree on something and they don't want you to do, they don't want to pay for something or whatever, but you need it. So, yeah, a lot of advocacy Again, nothing to add to everything, but it's really what I'm all about advocating.
Speaker 1:I love it. So, jumping back in from your perspective as an industry leader, what are the most current pressing needs within the child care industry and how can we, as nannies, agencies or families, get involved to help address them?
Speaker 2:Standards? We have no standards. There is no legal standards in the united states for nannies. We don't have any type of legit college for it. We do have different training companies but there is no college track for being a nanny. So regulations but education, I would say really trying to go out there and focus on we have nanny limited reporting. We all should have that. Tell your friends, let's go get, let's make it a thing. Work with your friends, let's go get it, let's make it a thing. Work with your local politicians, let's get some regulations.
Speaker 2:I know there's a bunch of states right now passing a bunch of laws about household employees, their rules and regulations and stuff like that. I believe Massachusetts just passed one for even au pairs for the industry. They have to make at least minimum wage or something like that, like any part of this industry. Just working on making those changes so we can be a standard industry, I would say one that's easier said than done. But making standards as a profession Maybe. I know the INA has credentials, exams and stuff and I know I think the US Nanny Association credentials nannies as well. But an ideal world with a bunch of money, creating an organization that would oversee certifying nannies in one broad spectrum would be great. That way, we know people do know this knowledge and know these things. So, yeah, I would say working a lot with politicians, your community and just helping other nannies.
Speaker 2:If you see a nanny posting online if I only accept $8 an hour, maybe send a private message hey, these are the current rates. We'll make that nicely, of course. Or maybe message hey, if you're open to talking with me. I've been in the industry for a while. If you want to talk about rates, stuff like that, feel free to message me. If you see nannies at the park, talk to them, stuff like that.
Speaker 2:The only way to make change is get more people involved. That's kind of what I say in my nanny. Like we have a society. It's really cool, whatever. We'd love for you to join. Hand them that card so they can read about it off the QR code. Just interacting with people and getting more people there. And same on the family side, if you hear, if you're a family, oh, my friend, you in for the eve. My nanny just went on her paid vacation. When is your nanny taking a vacation? It's just subtle. Don't call them out, don't be mean. I'm not saying that, but subtle things that you can do to make small changes and have your nanny, you know, have a contract, stuff like that, even if you need to ask for it. Sometimes nannies don't know, so if they don't ask for it, you present the contract. Don't think about, oh, I got lucky, they don't ask for vacation. You offer the vacation because it is the right thing to do and it is a standard. So from all sides, just you know, communicate, advocate and build the community.
Speaker 1:I love that. Yeah, I got so lucky with my first nanny family real full-time nanny family because I did not know anything about contracts. Then Found them on carecom and MomBoss actually presented me with a contract like right away and so like. It was a great, great experience and I know that not so many folks are so lucky. So I love that from that other side of if you are the family, if you're talking to your friends maybe wanting to hire, you know, just share what you do, that is right and what is legal and in a gentle way. So I love that so much. So my last is what message of inspiration or practical guidance would you share to someone who's just starting out? We'll take this in two parts. What's your advice for someone who's just starting out in the nanny profession?
Speaker 2:Just because you don't have experience doesn't mean you're not a professional. If this is going to be your career, I know so many nannies that, well, I'm 18. So I don't know I'm going to charge, you know, vacation it's not professional yet. I was like, but is this going to be your career? And they say, yes, I'm like, as long as you act this way and have these things like you're professional, it's going to be your career. You don't enter any other career and be like, oh, I don't have vacation because I'm new, you get that, so act as a professional, get into into it, get your contract, stuff like that.
Speaker 2:And I would say, if you have a community of nannies, reach out to them, ask them about the current rates. I know I have some rates that I have for some cities, but I can't have them all. So ask your local community of like, hey, what's a good rate for this? What do you see as far as families around here? What are some red flags to look for? I've seen some areas people don't pay legally, but some areas it's more. They just don't offer vacation. Every area is different. So talk to your local nannies and kind of see what's going on.
Speaker 2:Attend stuff like training day, because there's all a bunch of nannies there and they're usually pretty cheap and I know most of them too. If they aren't cheap, they usually have scholarships for them. I know for Lynn. I think we gave out eight scholarships to it. There was a bunch that we gave out. I know other cities offer a bunch of scholarships too. So go to those, meet nannies, go to the park to meet nannies. Don't be afraid to be like hey, I'm a nanny. Are you a nanny? And if you're not, well then you've made a friend anyway, if you're even a mom.
Speaker 1:Wear your nanny t-shirts. Wear your nanny t.
Speaker 2:But yeah, definitely, if you're starting out and you're brand new, it's still for you and take it seriously like that. Like I said, you can also do your trainings as well. I know I harp on education a lot too, but, like, get the trainings and that shows the families that you're a professional too. You're not just walking in saying, hey, I'm 18. I watched my sibling. It's like, oh hey, I may be only 18, but I took all this training, I know all this knowledge. I know all this knowledge, I'm ready to start my career and you're a lot more likely to get hired that way, by taking it seriously even before.
Speaker 2:And if you are in high school I know some schools have those like caregiving classes. I know my local high school does babysit Start getting letters of recommendation, even if they're not willing to call, because it's just like an occasional babysitting Get letters of recommendation. It's really good to show families all those things you start building up for your portfolio and save every single thing you do. I'm going to file somewhere to save it all and kind of go from there.
Speaker 1:Amazing. So the second half of that question is for seasoned professional nannies. For those of us who've been in the industry for a long time but are looking to elevate their career, what is your words of sage wisdom for them?
Speaker 2:I would say network is a big one. You can't get anywhere in life without networking. You need to know, not like in a know people, you only get to know people kind of way, but just like you need to know about the industry, you need to stay current on the information. And the only way to do that is to network, is to talk to other nannies, is to talk with agencies, is to talk with other industry leaders. Just network with people. Go to conferences. I know they're super expensive, trust me, my wallet hurts every single year, but save up for them. Ask your new families that pay for them, even if they only pay for a portion, even if they only pay just registration. But you have to do the hotel and stuff. Room share I still room share.
Speaker 1:I have my professional development stipend, friend. Professional development stipend, that's what you're gonna ask for. I hotel share.
Speaker 2:You know, I know when we did training in, there was a bunch of people in Knoxville that wanted to come, and so they all carpooled and shared a hotel room down in Atlanta from Knoxville. Don't be afraid to be that young college kid again and have a hotel room with four people. Whatever you do to get there, conferences are going to be a huge part to network and to really learn more about the industry and also help build the industry too. We can't build the industry unless people are there and, like I said, a lot of the conferences too also have scholarships. So apply for them, even if you don't think you're going to get it. Just apply. And you have conferences, network and the same continuing education.
Speaker 2:You never want to kind of be stagnant. You always want to keep learning, especially in a career where our world is ever-changing. I mean kids' abilities are ever-changing. Back when I first started nannying, I mean I knew kids were. You know they had some. I've had kids, but now it's like a real thing. So even from back then when I started until now, it's a huge shift and you need to keep learning and adapting. So all those continuing education courses can really help you keep adapting and keep engaging and learning in the industry and the career.
Speaker 1:Amazing. Yeah, no, that's such an interesting observation about the iPad kids yeah, everyone's an iPad kid now, and how do we support them to still be healthy? But, yeah, what is going to come from that? That is such a great observation. You're throwing me again here.
Speaker 2:My very first nanny kids. It's really funny because we never did screen time and I was like, yeah, but that was literally forever ago when screens weren't a big thing. I was like, so I'm proud that you keep saying I kept your kids screen free, but there wasn't much for them to watch.
Speaker 1:Right, it's a different story now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so just little things like that. I know one of the big things I do require, like a free concussion protocol training. The CDC has a free concussion protocol training.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I guess I've done that one for coaching my son's sport team.
Speaker 2:It's like for coaching, the same thing, but that's a big one, and I decided to include that because there's so many more kids in sports. I know kids were in sports before, but there are so many and the high contact in these sports just getting higher and higher and concussions are like just expedited, so that was well, and we know how dangerous they are too.
Speaker 1:I think is another big thing is that we now know the impact of traumatic brain injury and how impactful it can be to their development, so that is a great one. I love that for nannies.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna start recommending that for nannies too yeah, I like it because, like, even if you're with a toddler, they fall off the playground all the time. I feel like kids are so much more daring nowadays.
Speaker 1:Well, and it makes you feel more confident too, that, like, if they do fall and you can do the protocol and you're confident that they're fine, you can move forward too and you don't have to worry um, or if they do need to be checked out, you know exactly what to do I love it too, like they love those safety things, especially if you bring it up.
Speaker 2:I've had so many parents like, oh, you had that. I was like, yeah, like without doing older kids and they're a sport. So I was like I can tell you the concussion. Afterwards they hit their head like like, oh, that's really good, because even like stuff like I assume maybe gymnastics coaches all require it, but we don't know what they require to be coaches, so like they might not even know, they might not even be on their radar. You don't know who the coaches are. So it's really important as a caregiver for yourself or even potentially other kids on the team. If you see it, you can be like hey, that person has a concussion. This is important.
Speaker 1:I got to use my nanny first aid training at my son's baseball game. Someone got hit in the face. I was like, look, I'm not a nurse, but I'm a nanny, got to pull out and give them a little checkup. So, excuse me, I love it. I love it. So many great tips. I don't see any questions in the chat. So if anybody has any questions, please drop them, and if not, I will drop a couple more. Are there any specific clauses? Like you will make a clause for somebody or like but what is the? And then let's take this in a fun direction, to the weirdest or most unexpected contract clause you've ever encountered in terms of wow, we actually had to put that into a contract. I was like, well, we had to put it in.
Speaker 2:But I remember I know a lot of them had pet clauses that are like I made the pet it in.
Speaker 2:But I remember I know a lot of them had pet clauses that are like I made the pet clause in mind because I had a family that had a dog who was just super crazy.
Speaker 2:So the contract clause is you can, you know, put him in a kennel for this long until he has to be let out, and this much because, like I literally need a time of how long he could be in a different room without it being considered neglect because this dog was just everywhere. And then, with that same dog, I had my phone on the counter on a counter up above, because I was with the child on the floor in another room, so I had left my phone on the counter. He was upset that I was with the baby, so he went on the counter and took my phone and broke the screen and the family refused to pay for it. So now it's a clause in the contract of personal items of they must replace, if it's not the nanny's fault, which wasn't my fault it was on a counter in another room so I could watch your child.
Speaker 2:And then your dog decided no, I'm angry, you're not petting me. And then took it and broke it. So that's another one that I add in there. That way, if something happens not in the nanny's fault, they can get their items replaced man, that dog, yeah it was.
Speaker 2:It was rough, so that was definitely two big ones that I added to the contract, but I I've seen some silly ones. I know I've added stuff which isn't super relevant, but I know some families are really prevalent, like hair color or something if you're out in an event, or I've added that to pause, or oh, yeah, like you have to present yourself professionally.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but like at home they don't matter.
Speaker 2:It's like the cause is like what can they dress like at home? And usually it's like anything, what can they dress out with the child, or like they don't care if you have tattoos showing but you can't show them out. So that was not super weird, but that's another one I know some families care about, but yeah, my favorite clause I've ever put in.
Speaker 1:I was coming back to work with a family that I had worked for before and we were putting and it was, I think I was using the agency contract and it was talking about holiday pay and I knew that they would never require me ever to work on a holiday. It just wasn't. That's what wasn't our relationship, but I know some nannies do and so we just put in that I made five thousand dollars an hour for any holiday pay. It was just like, yeah, we're just we're not going to do that one of my good ones was I had an oh crap.
Speaker 2:It was named something else and it was with a family that I'd babysat for and we knew that I was going to be there, but we were signing the contract like months ahead of time. So it was like an oh crap clause if, if you know, I decide not to work there for some reason. But let's just protect both of us and make sure we have 30 days notice. But yeah, literally was named. I love that crap clause in our contract.
Speaker 1:I would say that's such a great way to say it and I know that's the funny term but also like the clause of if you're signing a contract that you know doesn't start for several months and I know folks can come across this with, like temp work or contract work or NCS work especially having protections for you if, for some reason, both as a family and the nanny, if for some reason, the other one decides to not move forward with the contract, if there's a big gap like that. I think that's something that a lot of folks don't have and don't think about that they'll need. But, yeah, like some sort of retainer or contract or clause of like, yeah, you still gotta pay me something. I held this in this time for you, or I'd have to rush and find a new nanny because you backed out. You know it's got to protect those sides, right. So I love that so much.
Speaker 1:My last question for you balancing multiple roles, so you balance. You know you're a nanny, you have the society, you're a business owner, you have an agency, now your advocacy work with Nanny of the Year and beyond. How do you balance it? Any tips for how to keep it all under control and make it happen?
Speaker 2:I don't know, I just kind of do it, but I feel, ya, I have a calendar that's color coded, if that helps and I update as much as I can. I would say one of the big tips is get a partner that's very patient. That has helped me a lot to keep me sane. When I'm like frazzled, he just looks at me and he's a hug and I was like, yes, I do. And then he brings me a hug and a popsicle, um, or like my phone, and I look angry. He's like you want a dog to cuddle, what do you want? I'm like, thanks, so part of the health sustainability is really great, but I really just, I don't know.
Speaker 2:It's easy to balance it all because I love it all. I know one day I have to give up some of it because I can't do this forever. And it's really funny because my n-e mom, because I have parental leave by contract and not that I plan on having a kid right now she's. But one day she was like if you had a kid, would you really take 12 weeks off? I was like, yeah, I wouldn't. She looked me dead in the eye. She's like, no, you wouldn't, brittany. She's like you'd be banging on my door two days in, being like when can I come you? No, you'd show back up with like probably five new businesses and I was like, yeah, that's also fair. So no, because you would be the most dedicated mom and be like 100% off, yeah.
Speaker 2:So I was like I don't know, I know you got some, but I just like all parts. I like the little ones for newborn care. I like teaching the girls, like newborn care, specialist stuff, because I can teach the families things and really help shape the kids in their sleep, because that's what helps them later on if they do have good sleep and those good sleep habits. But they're like the older kids like with my one right now like we're at the pool all the time or I'm trying to get her to paint, she won't paint. I want her to paint so bad she will not paint, she just my son's the same way, will not paint with me.
Speaker 2:We got a vegetable paint and like she just eats, it walks away. I was like, come back here, I want to paint with you. So I like doing those activities and getting silly and getting fun and rolling around on the floor with her and those belly laughs and everything like that. And then I also like the agency. I like helping families connect and the nannies connect. So I don't know if this is a question, but I don't really know. I just kind of do it.
Speaker 1:The passion is there let's say you do what you love and you're doing what you love and also keeping it interesting. Like you said, you get the babies and you get the older kids and you get the. You know, like not having so much of one thing that helps keep you moving, right? I feel that for sure. This has been an amazing talk. I am so grateful that you have joined us tonight. Where can everybody find you? I know you've got the Nanny Society, interstellar Nannies or Brittany Drew.
Speaker 2:You can just Google my name and my stuff will come up and you can just text me. I'll be on interviews and if you need help, tell me. If I find out later on that you need help and you didn't text me, I will bang on your door and be like, why Just text me, email me. I always tell it to. If you text me at, don't text me late, unless you expect a response, most likely will happen. But yeah, text me, email me. Don't call, because I don't answer the call a lot because I do work a lot. So I normally, if you need to set up a call, I'm more than happy to just text me first and we can set up a call. But yeah, I think my email and stuff is on there.
Speaker 1:Drop the link in the show notes.
Speaker 2:All you got to do is Google my full name and you have two pages worth of things.
Speaker 1:Very, easy to find.
Speaker 2:Email me. Any of the emails, any of the numbers, it doesn't matter, I'll get there somehow. I'm on Facebook, I have my personal page, my business page. Instagram, I have my personal page, agency page and nanny page.
Speaker 1:So many outlets Amazing. We'll make sure we get those all linked. Thank outlets Amazing. We'll make sure we get those all linked. Thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 2:Thank you for your time, Brittany I appreciate it, of course, and we will see everybody later. Have a great day.
