tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post3785590075634618288..comments2024-03-19T05:03:19.939-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: Choosing a careerPatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-17656828142081675682011-09-25T18:46:53.542-07:002011-09-25T18:46:53.542-07:00I read this post and laughed. The school that Olde...I read this post and laughed. The school that Older Daughter has chosen is 4 miles from my house and right next door to the preschool that my son attends. I hope that she enjoys it!Larissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-36830803065607020212011-09-24T14:08:08.786-07:002011-09-24T14:08:08.786-07:00How fascinating. Seems as if your nanny college i...How fascinating. Seems as if your nanny college is modelled on the English Norland College, which provides nannies to the British aristocracy.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11269887100694066103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-91831617896935952022011-09-22T11:27:54.506-07:002011-09-22T11:27:54.506-07:00Oldest Daughter,
I agree that having something sp...Oldest Daughter,<br /><br />I agree that having something special to teach the children could be a benefit to you. BUT I temper that with the idea that the foreign language could give you tutoring powers later on if you wish to do something on the side when you're older, married, etc.<br /><br />I was a child raised in public school who has opted to home school my own kids and to live a simpler lifestyle. Since I'm a reforming latchkey kid who wasn't taught to do anything well except clean a house, I'm teaching myself things like canning and sewing...and finding I'm not really very good at the sewing. My plan is to hire someone to tutor my daughters in this area (and maybe even me as well). Keep in mind some of the things the simpler lifestyle offers are not everyday options for many people and might also prove to be a "special skill". <br /><br />If you do opt for a little something extra do it prayerfully and have fun with it. <br /><br />Best of luck to you and congratulations on your calling Dear.<br /><br />God Bless.Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03072197242388253738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-8445315890265710932011-09-20T14:18:27.425-07:002011-09-20T14:18:27.425-07:00Very cool. Congrats to Older Daughter.Very cool. Congrats to Older Daughter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-7840374700680079272011-09-19T22:00:32.152-07:002011-09-19T22:00:32.152-07:00Anon 8:00, why don't you email me privately at...Anon 8:00, why don't you email me privately at patrice@patricelewis.com ?<br /><br />- PatricePatrice Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-62879003923031426092011-09-19T20:00:52.018-07:002011-09-19T20:00:52.018-07:00Patrice- As someone who has walked a similar path,...Patrice- As someone who has walked a similar path, I have some insights for your daughter, but I'd rather not have them published on your blog. Is it possible for me to post a comment and you not publish it?<br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-25602029037562506252011-09-19T07:45:22.419-07:002011-09-19T07:45:22.419-07:00I think Older Daughter has made a wonderful choice...I think Older Daughter has made a wonderful choice and finding a school - outstanding.<br /><br />Is there such a thing as a nanny forum? To get an idea of how nannies feel about their jobs? What skill sets are best, what families look for that is out of the ordinary? Would the nanny be also homeschooling in any areas? What other duties would be required - cooking, cleaning, driving? Would extensive travel be part of the job, both in and out of the US? Just getting an idea would make preparing for this fabulous opportunity easier.Bellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17249001827113998376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-91315477935180779612011-09-19T07:14:45.546-07:002011-09-19T07:14:45.546-07:00Another excellent article! I can relate to a coll...Another excellent article! I can relate to a college degree being a waste of time, as well as a pain in the backside. I am currently having a great deal of difficulty with the university I attend, and will be looking for an alternative. As I told one of my professors, I feel I can learn the subject (Spanish) better on my own, especially after she told the class that she wouldn't actually be teaching us any Spanish. Silly me, I expected to be taught the language and to deal with problem areas, but apparently the new trend, at least at my university, is to play children's games and let the students do the teaching so the professors won't have to. <br /><br />I think you are doing the right thing for your children, and I applaud you all the way. If I had a child, there is no way I would let them attend government schools, and I would certainly do everything I could to encourage them to learn something important such as a trade, rather than go thousands of dollars in debt for a piece of paper earned by playing games.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-52058818474787894652011-09-18T09:08:34.643-07:002011-09-18T09:08:34.643-07:00Hi Older Daughter--
I agree with what someone els...Hi Older Daughter--<br /><br />I agree with what someone else said as well...find something that you will be able to teach the kids in addition to being a nanny. =) It makes you a much more valuable employee and if you decide you don't want to be a nanny anymore then you will have something else that you can possibly fall back on. <br /><br />Also, just another little suggestion--don't totally discount the idea of SOMEDAY possibly opening your own day care or child care facility--there are parents out there who would desperately love to have someone with your values to take care of their children and you could make a difference...Just something else to think about for someday when you get older. <br /><br />I wanted to work with children when I was younger...that changed when I became a waitress and discovered that I'm actually good at it. I also discovered that I can make a difference in people's lives just by being friendly and listening to them for a few minutes. =) Most people just want someone to listen. I find that a lot of times even when they are surrounded by people, a lot of people feel lonely and overlooked...that's one of the worst feelings in the world. =( And of course I've also learned how to cook and we now have a restaurant. I made the right decision for me--I would have ended up hating working with kids. I love THEM, but not their parents so much--LOL. <br /><br />Anyway, keep up the good work. I am sure that you will make a wonderful nanny and I wish you nothing but the best. <br /><br />Now--Younger Daughter? What are you up to lately? =)Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00622338474989335764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-51041363312717878462011-09-18T08:33:44.114-07:002011-09-18T08:33:44.114-07:00Eldest Daughter of the Lewis',
Congratulations...Eldest Daughter of the Lewis',<br />Congratulations and Thanks to God for your clarity in hearing your calling!<br />Thank Him for your wisdom in taking action to answer His choice for you!<br />Thank God he chose your individual soul to be delivered unto the Lewis prodigy!<br />You are a Blessed Young Woman, given many special gifts and talents. <br />You will succeed and become an awesome Nanny!<br />Mazel Tov!<br /><br />notutopiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-50204746269351370082011-09-17T21:28:42.343-07:002011-09-17T21:28:42.343-07:00My daughter was home schooled and just graduated t...My daughter was home schooled and just graduated this past May. I used a software program (no affliation) called Transcripts Pro. It helped me make a very nice professional looking transcript. I also used a nice quality paper to print it on. I also ordered the custom raised embosser seal thing to put on the transcript. (home school diploma dot com no affliation) She had no problems with her acceptance to college. She also had her ACT scores sent to the college as well. Just passing it along!Ann from KYnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-44632694012898464752011-09-17T20:53:24.364-07:002011-09-17T20:53:24.364-07:00It only makes sense that accredited schools would ...It only makes sense that accredited schools would exist for the nanny profession. I didn't know they were out there. <br /><br />("The Sound of Music" is playing in my head. It's one of my favorite stories of all time. It gets better and better every time I see it. Just thinking of Mother Superior singing "Climb Every Mountain" gives me goose bumps.)<br /><br />I can tell that there is great excitement in the Lewis household about this. I have a saying: "People are usually pretty good at what they love to do." I've been living by it for so long, I can't remember if I need to credit anyone for it. Seems to fit here.<br /><br />Just MeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-5004314806456632872011-09-17T17:12:27.082-07:002011-09-17T17:12:27.082-07:00I am also working in a career completely different...I am also working in a career completely different than what I went to school for. <br /><br />Congratulations on Older Daughter knowing her career path! <br />If I might so kindly add one suggestion - that she find a specialized skill to teach children as well. At some point she might want to not "live-in" someone elses home, and it would be great to have a skill to continue to work with kids and earning an income. Even teaching riding, or for instance, working with disabled kids in riding therapy would be a option. Anything like that she enjoys could help diversify her employment/income options<br /><br />Just a thought.<br />~ClareAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-44635588143761457632011-09-17T15:43:51.819-07:002011-09-17T15:43:51.819-07:00Older daughter, I am very impressed with how well ...Older daughter, I am very impressed with how well you handle adults making comments on your career choice. You show more maturity than most your age. If I may make a suggestion on the foreign language, I recommend German. A year ago our daughter asked to learn a foreign language so I started researching which one would be the best and most career advantageous. We learn in an area that is over 50% Hispanic so people kept telling me to have her learn Spanish. After researching I found that German is considered that business language second only to English. German translated are paid the most, almost double of other languages. (please don't ask me the website where I found this information. Like I said it was a year ago) Most importantly, many of the great literary writers were German and so their original work is in German. Just my two cents :-). We are using Rosetta Stone homeschool version. It is expensive, but wait for a sale. I was able to get ours at half price through a homeschool buyers co-op. Our daughter was 7yr and in second grade last year when she started. Now after 7 months native Germans tell us she sounds like a native German when she speaks to them.<br />Good luck and God Bless You.<br />Stuck in CAStuck in CAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-9402836157068805662011-09-17T14:42:04.636-07:002011-09-17T14:42:04.636-07:00good for your daughter that she opted out of the g...good for your daughter that she opted out of the ged...not only is the ged looked at for those who dropped out, but it is so watered down that an 8th grader could do well on it...and no employer really wants to hire someone for any job knowing that they can only perform at the 8th grade level. it is all a part of that conspiracy to throw as much money at a problem as you can, and it will go away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-87473940469500057192011-09-17T14:23:41.401-07:002011-09-17T14:23:41.401-07:00Nanny school? Who'd'a thought it!
But, wh...Nanny school? Who'd'a thought it!<br /><br />But, when you think about it, having someone to vet both the employer and the employee is a great idea.<br /><br />My 14-year-old daughter's best girlfriend (another homeschooler) wants to be a nanny. She is ideally suited for it, as she has been babysitting since she was real little. I'll tell her about this school.<br /><br />About your comment in your column,"... but there's not a big job market for professional travelers."<br /><br />Actually, there is, although it wouldn't be appropriate for your daughter.<br /><br />I'm making a late-in-life career change to become an over-the-road big rig truck driver. My travels will take me to 48 states, plus Canada. I read recently that there is a shortage of drivers ... a need for 130,000 new drivers this year.<br /><br />And there actually are a lot of women drivers these days, including younger women just starting out in their careers. I wouldn't recommend it for your daughter, however, as the truck driving culture can be a pretty rough trade at times.<br /><br />Kudos to you and her for knowing what she wants to do and doing all your research to get her there.<br /><br />By the way, also, sometimes there is no option but to get that college degree. My son is in an early commissioning program at a military college. He wants to be an Army officer, and you just plain can't do it without college.<br /><br />DaveDavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-63721146106975741062011-09-17T12:22:48.207-07:002011-09-17T12:22:48.207-07:00You see ads for families seeking nannies all the t...You see ads for families seeking nannies all the time on http://www.caretaker.org otherwise known as the caretaker gazette.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-50494016996997064182011-09-17T10:32:07.007-07:002011-09-17T10:32:07.007-07:00Dear oldest daughter,
One of my first jobs when I...Dear oldest daughter,<br /><br />One of my first jobs when I was very young was a nurses aide in a maternity hospital. Oh, how I loved that job! One patient was from England and we got along so well that they asked me to go back to England with them as the baby's nanny.<br />What an adventure that would have been! I didn't go because I had just met my future husband (we have been married for 46 years now and have had the joy to nanny our own two boys).<br />I wish you luck and happiness in anything you decide to do. You are lucky to have parents that will let you spread your wings and take the path that you are passionate about. Who knows - you may be the nanny to my English friend's great grandchildren!Phyllis (N/W Jersey)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-18303373927984954192011-09-17T10:27:43.027-07:002011-09-17T10:27:43.027-07:00Outstanding career choice! I too was amazed such ...Outstanding career choice! I too was amazed such a school existed. Fantastic! Best of luck to OD and her rosy future. God bless.<br /><br /><br />Steve Davis<br />Anchorage, AlaskaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-301335344528457722011-09-17T09:43:52.692-07:002011-09-17T09:43:52.692-07:00As for my two-bits worth, I completely support suc...As for my two-bits worth, I completely support such a decision based on what has been shared and the general feel I get about how you raise your children.<br />We raise our four boys in generally the same way. No TV, home schooled, and of course centered around moral values established by God.<br />We have decided that no GED is the right course for us as well. We know best when they have reached the level of knowledge and wisdom they need to walk on their own as adults in this world.<br />Oldest Son will be 17 in November and is also considering vocational pursuits apart from college. We left it up to him whether he wanted to go to college or not, no promoting or guilt trips about fantastic paying careers . . . our focus is like Oldest Daughter's . . . it needs to be a calling.<br /><br />Your shared efforts are much appreciated. It is comforting to know that some people are still raising their daughters to be virtuous ladies. My sons have often mentioned that they seem to be in short supply!<br /><br />Jake <br />(I'm not the other Jake who commented here. I'm Jake from Terlingua, Texas!)Jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12742866175729912367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-80635391898281065752011-09-17T08:48:22.218-07:002011-09-17T08:48:22.218-07:00Jake, my mother isn't HORRIBLY OPPOSED to me m...Jake, my mother isn't HORRIBLY OPPOSED to me marrying a rich man- she just wants to make sure I marry someone who values family over money. This means that if I find a wonderful, kind man who happens to be rich, I can most definitely marry him. <br /><br />No one really seemed to get the point in that blog post. We don't hate rich people. <br /><br />-Older DaughterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-38058582816532968572011-09-17T06:52:33.958-07:002011-09-17T06:52:33.958-07:00My two oldest daughters both nannied for families ...My two oldest daughters both nannied for families in New York State. The oldest stayed with her family for 2 years. The second, at the end of the first year, was getting ready to return home because she wanted to attend college. The family for whom she worked offered to pay for her college expenses at the local community college if she would only stay with them longer. The deal was that if an adult was needed at home (sick child staying home from school, etc.) that it would be the nanny who stayed home not the parent. So my daughter came home after 2 and a half years with this family with an associate degree all paid for! It was great! When my daughter got married about 8 years after her stint with them the mother and daughter flew out to Arizona for the festivities! <br />The nanny job proved to be a priceless experience in exposure to another part of the country, a different family situation, and gave my girls the confidence that they could handle just about any new situation.<br />Even though neither daughter wanted to make a career out of it they learned a lot to help them be wonderful mothers with their own children now.<br /><br />Jan in UtahJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00793205292049643376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-24968299632242780452011-09-17T06:43:17.776-07:002011-09-17T06:43:17.776-07:00Mary Poppins comes to mind; a good thing.Mary Poppins comes to mind; a good thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-89771015901280278952011-09-17T06:28:41.408-07:002011-09-17T06:28:41.408-07:00Patrice, you and your husband are outstanding pare...Patrice, you and your husband are outstanding parents. Your children are blessed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-26458973661863008092011-09-17T06:26:16.054-07:002011-09-17T06:26:16.054-07:00I agree re Trade school v College (I too have seve...I agree re Trade school v College (I too have several degrees)<br /><br />question: how does you daughter's career choice square with your hope/desire that she NOT marry a wealthy man?<br /><br />you probably remember I disagreed<br /><br />but no poor man can afford a Nanny as aide for his wife<br /><br />I have employed several Nanny's for my wife -- especially for my son with Down Syn younger years<br /><br />I enjoyed the attention they brought to my children without replacing my wife's essential role as Mother<br /><br />so, I wonder how this squares in your mind?<br /><br />JakeJakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05024473351197426888noreply@blogger.com