- Ike Robin, 25, is a nanny in New York City.
- He trained at the prestigious Norland College for nannies.
- He says almost everyone has been positive about his career, though there are some misconceptions.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ike Robin, an ambassador for Nannytax. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I knew I wanted to be a nanny from the time I was 14. It was an unusual goal for a sporty boy growing up in Brighton, in the South of England. I was into soccer and skateboarding, and my other career goal was to be a skateboard film maker.
My sister was a nanny in Norland College, and I saw how much she loved her studies. She got to do incredible things, and she was always telling me about the fun she had at work. I knew the job would be perfect for me. I’m the nice guy, who thrives on making other people happy. My three sisters and I were all adopted, so I grew up knowing that caring isn’t about a blood connection. It’s a choice, and I wanted to choose to care for children.
It was hard work to get into Norland College. I had to redo some of my high school classes because my grades weren’t high enough. Luckily, everyone from my friends and family to school counselors supported me. I think they could see how nannying was a perfect fit for my personality.
I felt so awkward the first time I held an infant
When I was finally accepted to Norland, I was the only male student in a class of 300 future nannies. Still, no one looked at me funny. We were all brought together by our passion for caring for kids, and being at Norland really validated the career ambition I’d had for so long.
Despite that, there was a learning curve. The first time I held an infant I felt so awkward. I thought, “do you really want me to hold that tiny baby?” But when I picked the baby up I was flooded with love and affection. There’s just an innate human ability to be nurturing, that comes out when I’m around kids.
My first full-time role was caring for a 1-year-old girl
People expect me to have encountered lots of pushback or barriers. Overall I haven’t, but there are some misconceptions. One enduring assumption is that all male nannies must be gay. I’m straight, and so is every other male nanny I’ve met. I’m dating another nanny in New York, and sometimes we get together with the kids.
I think this assumption comes from the stereotype that caregivers must be feminine, with Mary Poppins energy. I have a different approach. I love introducing kids to sports and building legos. I’m great at imagination play: I can turn an empty room into a dinosaur-filled jungle, and help kids have the best day ever with nothing but their minds.
Some people are thrilled to have a male nanny, because they have boys. Others have turned me down because I’m a guy. That doesn’t bother me, because there are so many families out there. Last year I took my first full-time position, caring for a 1-year-old girl. I was honestly surprised that her parents chose me, and felt a little out of my comfort zone, but it was the most beautiful relationship, and we’re still in touch.
I’m not allowed to post the kids on social media
I can’t say much about the family I’m working with now. Privacy and confidentiality are of the utmost importance for nannies. When I start with a new family we discuss what I can mention about them or the kids, and what I can post on my social media.
Not that I do too much posting — when I’m at work my personal phone is off. I have a work phone that I use for contacting the parents. There’s no time for screens, because I’m always busy. That’s why I prefer live-out, rather than live-in, nanny positions. When I’m at a client’s house, the rest of my world is pushed aside and I’m entirely focused on the kids. At the end of the day, I can relax when I’m in my own space.
Being a nanny is an incredibly high-energy job. Realistically I know I won’t be able to maintain that energy forever. I plan to nanny for about eight years, and then open a childcare center in London. What I’m most looking forward to is being a dad. If I could, I would have 10 kids, but four is probably a more realistic number. No matter what, nurturing children will always be part of my life.
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