A Nanny for Over Seas Adopting Parents

In November of 2002, I took a job to work with a family going overseas to adopt a 4-year-old boy from Kazakhstan. I stayed to watch their 4 children at home; two teens and two adorable Chinese girls ages 5 & 3. I was so touched by the love of this family I committed my heart in that first email!

I knew nothing about travel complications that these adoptions face, but something told me to not book anything for the month following their dates. Two days before I was to depart, they received news that all adoptions from Kazakhstan had been halted. Their sensitivity and concern in understanding I might have to cancel with them touched me. I was happy about my previous decision and wrote back immediately that we were in this together to the end.

On November 25th, I left to get to know the children and teens and the family routine before they left. Their teens were wonderful and so helpful and considerate. The girls and I bonded easily as they loved arts and crafts!

During what proved to be a constant travel nightmare for them, we kept in touch with emails and phone calls. I tried to write them each night and keep them informed of our activities. I was also able to write them about any concerns and their views for handling the nurturing.

We took lots of pictures during their absence and later the girls and I made a memory scrapbook of their recitals and field trips. The girls loved cutting and choosing their picture pages. This way the parents had a way of sharing their moments when they returned.

I read several books while there about children from China that needed loving families. Once again my heart was stretched with heartbreaking love for the children and the families trying to fulfill these needs.

I want to dedicate a portion of my business to helping families who need a nanny to stay with younger children. I know now it requires great flexibility on my part and may not seem to some to be a good business decision as I know I must hold weeks before and after what we “think” will be the travel dates. But I am committed to doing what it takes to stand by adoptive parents.

I’ve signed up on adoption boards to try and learn the intricacies each nation has for these adoptions. I welcome parents' experiences and advice. I am also available to travel with families taking younger children as I do have a valid passport.

This is a new venture for me, but one I am sure will be filled with blessings. Naturally, I am hoping a job will come up that allows me to visit my girls and meet their new brother!