Christina A.     Age 43      Female      Grand Rapids, MI  - 1217 Drexel Court NE   Member ID: 2052  Seeking work as a : Nanny  Position Type: Live-Out, Full Time      Join now for access this candidate's contact details       About Me   I am a very blessed woman. I was raised in Louisville, Ohio by a loving, Christian Mother and Father, and I am the youngest of 5 children. There is a 10-year age gap between me and my closest sibling, and many people have told me that I exhibit behaviors of an oldest child (organizational skills, motivation, self-discipline). My parents were big advocates of hands-on learning, so growing up, my family did a lot of traveling both in and out of the country. I am so grateful for the experiences I have had. I graduated from a private, Christian school in Canton in 2000, moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan that same year, and graduated from college in 2005. I have been happily married since April 2005 (that was a big month for me. ) to a wonderful man who is self-employed. I enjoy sports, hosting and entertaining people at our home, photography, and spending time with family and friends. We are moving back to Ohio to be closer to both of our families. I eventually would like children, but not for a few more years, at least. I have loved children my whole life. I remember being an 11-year old girl, helping out in the Kindergarten class at my school, thinking, "I want to grow up and work with kids.. ". and I was just a kid myself. I knew from that moment, that I wanted to be a teacher. I finished high school and went on to college to pursue my degree in elementary education. Throughout college, I worked as an after-school tutor, a camp counselor for 2 consecutive summers, a summer academy (summer school) instructor, and babysitting was my main source of income all through college. Two weeks before my senior year of college, it suddenly hit me that I no longer wanted to be a teacher, but still desired to work with children. Not good timing to come to this realization. right?. I switched my major to Social Work and got an amazing internship working with children in an inner-city organization in Grand Rapids, MI. I coordinated after-school programs for children ages 5-13. I also volunteered in the organization's youth group and had a "small group" of my own that consisted of 4 girls who I am still in close contact with. I met them over 3 years ago. After college graduation, I was offered a social work job at my place of internship, but it was only a 2-day per week, part-time position, and the job duties did not involve me working directly with children. I accepted the position, even though I knew I wouldn’t get to work with kids. Around the same time, one of the families I occasionally babysat for during college had passed my name on to a friend who was looking for a nanny 3 days a week. the exact 3 days a week that I wouldn't be at my other job. Both jobs started the same month (April 2005) and for nearly 2 years, I enjoyed the variety of working two very different jobs every other day. By January 2007, I knew that my love for nannying outweighed my love for social work, so I put in my notice at my social work job, and the family I worked for 30 hours per week hired me on full-time. I haven’t looked back…I love my job and am so blessed to be a nanny. I am a hands-on, loving nanny. I believe that children are a blessing and they should be treated with the respect and love needed to nurture them into a whole person. Every child, no matter what age they are, or what personality type they may be, deserves to be loved. That being said, I am also a firm believer in discipline, and making children aware that they should respect others, especially their authorities, whether it be their parents, grandparents, teachers, or me as their nanny. Children are our future, and I want to play a part in "raising" children who will grow up to be responsible, mature, well-rounded adults. My role as a nanny is to invest my time and efforts into the children under my care, and show them by example what it's like to be that person. I am firm, but gentle. I am light-hearted and I have a sense of humor, but I will not be taken advantage of or be bossed around by a child. I would never spank your child, but will enforce rules by taking away special privileges, giving time-outs, and applying any other appropriate discipline technique you may ask of me. I also believe that children should be rewarded for good behavior. There is a fine line between bribing a child and rewarding a child. A child should not expect to get a gift for something they should do anyways, but to sometimes give a child a lollipop or let them choose a special movie or play-date with a friend for doing something really exceptional will only encourage and inspire them to keep using good behavior. I believe that material rewards should be sporadic, but I always verbally praise children for doing the right things such as: using manners, clearing their dishes from the table, exhibiting patience with siblings, sharing, etc.      Valid Driver's License: Yes  Has a Vehicle: Yes  Can Swim Well: Yes  Smoking Status: Non-Smoker  Comfortable with pets:   Languages spoken: English, English    My Nationality: American  Background Check:   Eligible to work in the U.S.:   Civil Status: Married  Religion/Spiritual Practice: Christian        Work Experience & Education Background   3 years experience, 5 references I have worked mainly as a nanny for the past 3 years with the same family. I have many years of babysitting experience under my belt, as well as 2 years as a social worker. I have my bachelor's degree in social work. I have included more detail about my work history below.      Childcare experience within the following age groups: Newborn - 3 months, 3 - 12 months, 1 - 2 years, 2 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, over 10 years of age   Education/Training: Bachelor's Degree  I was home-schooled (in a multi-family setting) from Kindergarten through 6th grade. I attended a private, Christian school from 7th grade through 12th grade. I attended a private university in Michigan from 2000-2005, and graduated from there with my degree in social work.      Job Preferences   Seeking work as a : Nanny  Position Type: Live-Out, Full Time  Work Hours: 30 - 40 hours/week  Position Duration:    greater than 2 years   Childcare Duties:    Cooking      Light Housekeeping      Running errands      Preparing meals      Transporting children      Occasional supervision of childrens friends/guests      Children's baths and dressing      Help with homework      Adhere to special dietary rules (vegetarian, kosher, lactose intolerant, etc.)      Packing Children's lunches      Planning activities for the children     Desired Start Date: March 09, 2008  Desired Salary: $1800 - $2000/month  Will work with up to: Three children  Will travel with the family: Yes,but up to 30 km  Will care  Special Needs Children: No  Housekeeping Duties: None Provided