21/01/2026
My First Time Working as a Nanny in Lagos â Part 2
By the second week on the job, reality had fully settled in. The excitement of starting something new had faded, and the work began to feel heavier than I expected. I was waking up before sunrise every day, preparing breakfast, cleaning up after the kids, getting them ready for school, and still having a long list of chores waiting for me afterward.
The children were sweet in their own way, but they were also full of energy. Some days they listened, and other days they tested my patience completely. I learned very quickly that being a nanny wasnât just about watching kidsâit was about staying calm when you were tired, smiling when you wanted to rest, and correcting gently even when your voice wanted to rise.
There were moments I wanted to give up. I missed my comfort, my freedom, and the life I had before taking the job. Lagos traffic, the stress of the city, and the pressure to always âdo moreâ made everything feel overwhelming. But deep down, I knew I had taken this job for a reasonâto grow, to survive, and to become stronger.
One day, something small changed everything. One of the kids hugged me tightly and said, âAunty, I like you.â That simple sentence touched me more than I expected. It reminded me that even when the work felt hard, I was making a difference in someoneâs life.
Slowly, I began to adjust. I learned the childrenâs routines, their moods, and how to balance being firm with being kind. I also learned more about myselfâmy patience, my strength, and my ability to endure things I never thought I could.